Fred Cole has engineered most of the band's recordings and mastered them on a mono lathe that was used for The Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie."
Their early records, such as In the Graveyard, were released on the Tombstone Records label, named for the musical equipment store Fred and Toody operated at the time. Soon they caught the attention of the German label Music Maniac, and toured Europe successfully. Not until the mid-nineties did they tour the United States. Much of their following is in Europe.
A U.S. filmmaking team (Kate Fix and Jason Summers) produced a 2004 documentary, Unknown Passage: The Dead Moon Story, which played in independent theaters around the U.S., New Zealand, and Melbourne International Film Fest, and might be offered with the upcoming Dead Moon box set on Sub Pop Records. Dead Moon has recorded for labels such as Empty Records, but most releases are on Music Maniac abroad and Tombstone in the U.S. The Tombstone label has also provided cheap mastering and duplication for other bands, serving more as a cooperative than a promotional vehicle.
Fred and Toody are in their sixties. They currently own the Tombstone General Store in Clackamas, Oregon, and are building a shopping center nearby.
Pearl Jam often covers the song It's OK.
In December 2006 they retired:
2006-12-13 - AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM DEAD MOON
After 20 yrs, Dead Moon is retiring. It has been a journey we will always treasure and feel that a worldwide family has emerged in its place. Dead Moon became much bigger than the band itself, it became a DIY underground hopeful for a lot of people. The candle is still burning!
--Fred Cole
(from http://www.subpop.com)
2007-05-18 PIERCED ARROWS
For the first time in a long time, Fred and Toody Cole were nervous. Six months after the breakup of their legendary garage-rock outfit, Dead Moon, the Coles were about to debut a new group—something they haven’t had to do for 20 years. And their new trio, Pierced Arrows, had only six practices under its belt at showtime.
http://localcut.wweek.com/2007/05/23/pierced-arrows-at-ash-street-saloon-may-18-2007/
Revenge
Dead Moon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Finger on the trigger of a gun
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
It's an old web being spun
Born from the seeds of anger and hatred
Do it to them like they do
It's only revenge and the worst of it all
It all comes back to you
Envy treads at the breaking edge
Where dogs begin to wail
Sorrow imprisoned the widows eyes
Like arrows too, they fell
Trying to balance the scales of injustice
Do it to them like they do
It's only revenge and the worst of it all
It all comes back to you
The hounds pursue the weary step
As silver etched the sent
Chasing down the passions of mans convictions
Escaping time he'd never spent
Half starved and running
He'll pay for his blindness
Racing the bullets of hate
Thirteen steps an a dead mans walk
It's always been this way
It all comes back to you
The lyrics of Dead Moon's "Revenge" speak about the cycle of violence that is born out of anger and hatred. The boiling pot of bad blood is ready to spill over as fingers rest on the triggers of guns. An old web is being spun as people seek revenge for wrongs done to them. The lyrics suggest that revenge is like a double-edged sword; it can balance the scales of injustice, but it also comes with its own price. The song warns that seeking revenge only begets more revenge, leading to a never-ending cycle of violence. It speaks about how the desire for revenge consumes people and ultimately leads to their downfall.
The lyrics paint a picture of a world consumed by envy and sorrow. The widows' eyes are imprisoned with sorrow, and the howling dogs announce the breaking point of society. The song suggests that people are trying to balance the scales of injustice by doing to others what they have done to them. But the price they pay for their revenge is ultimately their undoing. The lyrics also speak about the pursuit of revenge being a lonely journey. The singer is pursued by hounds as he races the bullets of hate, paying for his blindness.
Overall, the song speaks about the futility of revenge and the ultimate price paid by those seeking it. It showcases how revenge only begets more violence and the never-ending cycle it creates.
Line by Line Meaning
Bad blood stirring in the boiling pot
There is a strong tension and animosity brewing between two parties
Finger on the trigger of a gun
Someone is ready and willing to take violent action
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Retaliation or revenge is seen as necessary and justifiable
It's an old web being spun
This conflict has been going on for a long time, and similar patterns of revenge and violence have likely occurred before
Born from the seeds of anger and hatred
The source of this conflict is deep-seated animosity and resentment
Do it to them like they do
The belief is that the best way to get back at the other party is to mirror their actions and tactics
It's only revenge and the worst of it all
This cycle of revenge is a destructive and negative force
It all comes back to you
The consequences of one's actions will eventually catch up to them
Envy treads at the breaking edge
Jealousy and resentment are pushing someone to take extreme action
Where dogs begin to wail
This is a place of chaos and destruction
Sorrow imprisoned the widows eyes
The impact of this conflict has even affected innocent bystanders and caused great pain and suffering
Like arrows too, they fell
The impact of this conflict has been swift and damaging
Trying to balance the scales of injustice
Retaliation is seen as necessary to correct perceived wrongs and injustices
The hounds pursue the weary step
There are forces working against someone who is tired and vulnerable
As silver etched the sent
Time is running out and the situation is becoming more dangerous
Chasing down the passions of mans convictions
Someone is determined to act on their beliefs, even if it leads to violence or revenge
Escaping time he'd never spent
Someone is desperately trying to outrun the consequences of their actions, but they cannot escape them forever
Half starved and running
The pursuit of revenge has taken a toll on someone physically and emotionally
He'll pay for his blindness
Ignoring the consequences of one's actions will lead to punishment
Racing the bullets of hate
The pursuit of revenge is putting someone in great danger
Thirteen steps an a dead mans walk
The path of revenge ultimately leads to death and destruction
It's always been this way
This cycle of revenge has been going on for a long time and will continue until someone breaks it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RANDY FREDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind