Deadsy was formed in 1995 by Elijah Blue Allman, the son of C… Read Full Bio ↴History---
Deadsy was formed in 1995 by Elijah Blue Allman, the son of Cher and Greg Allman. Using the stage name Philips Exeter Blue I he recorded some demos with Alec Puro and later sent a Roland Juno-106 keyboard to Renn as an invitation to join the band. Deadsy signed to Sire Records, recruiting Jay Gordon of the band Orgy, to play bass their eponymous debut album. After the album was recorded and released to the press Gordon was replaced by Craig Riker joined on bass as a full time member, and they were once again writing songs for the upcoming full length Commencement. Only a few songs were written for the new album as the band had planned to re-release most tracks from the self-titled album. A music video for "She Likes Big Words" was made at one of their early shows, also for promotion. With the album in the final stages of development, Sire parted ways with Elektra Records, and the release was pushed back to a later date. Soon after, Deadsy was dropped from the label entirely, ending the life of both the first and would-be second album, Commencement. Some promotional copies of the self-titled album are still floating around.
Elementree Records, The Release of Commencement (1999-2003)---
While in the process of finding a new label, Carlton Bost was added on z-tars and guitar. Ashburn Miller replaced Craig on bass January 2002 after Craig and Deadsy parted ways. Jonathan Davis (of the band Korn) signed Deadsy to the new record label Elementree Records, to release Commencement. Most songs came from the self-titled album, but some were newly written for the album, including "The Key To Gramercy Park", for which a video was made, directed by friend and Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, as well as being the band's second song with Jonathan Davis. Davis invited the band to join the 2001 Family Values Tour before their album had even been released. This move helped build the fan base and helped the band onto the tour soundtrack. After the album's release, the band made a second music video for their cover of Sebadoh's "Brand New Love".
The Release of Phantasmagore, Current (2003-2008)
Deadsy signed onto Immortal Records to release Phantasmagore in 2006 . During the 4-year process of writing the album, Deadsy released clips and demos on their official website. Deadsy was asked back to the Family Values Tour in the summer of 2006, which was co-headlined by the Deftones and Korn. Deadsy went on another tour with the Deftones in the fall/winter. In January 2007, Deadsy parted ways with bassist Ashburn Miller ("Creature"), and added Jens Funke to the line up.
In February 2007, a short statement from Elijah was posted on the band's message board: "I am making a solo record." Recently, Carlton has joined The Dreaming full time. On April 16, 2007, a MySpace bulletin was posted with a statement by Alec Pure whom had this to say: "As you all know we are going to be taking a short break from Deadsy so Elijah can make a solo record and I can continue scoring projects I wasn't able to do from the road."
In early 2008, "Elijah Blue and the Trapezoids" was revealed as the name of Elijah's solo project.
Musical Style and Themes
Elijah describes the band's low and dissonant style as Undercore. Elijah's low baritone singing style, down-tuned guitars, Dr. Nner's synths and Carlton's Z-tar form the overall sound of the band.
"We wanted to make something that was transcendental, really rule-defying, and very against the grain. And when people listened to it at first, it would just feel very like a sense of foreignness, almost like watching a David Lynch film." - Elijah Blue
The lyrics and imagery of the songs sometimes focus on many subjects in either sexual, religious, magical or popular culture contexts. Occasionally one notices obscure references to artifacts such as Secret Societies, The Urantia Book, Star Wars, the novel Dune by Frank Herbert, Disney's 101 Dalmatians and themes like wealth, esoterica, and pedophilia.
Visual appearance
Elijah has often called the band an "art project", or "art movement". Complete with a manifesto (available on their site), and visual iconography. Each band member represents one element or "Entity" that drives human society. Each entity is also represented by their own color and unique appearance.
International Klein Blue - Academia (Elijah Blue Allman aka P. Exeter Blue the 1st)
Yellow - Science / Medicine (Renn Hawkey aka Dr. Nner)
Green - Leisure (Alec Puro aka Alec Püre)
Grey - War (Carlton Bost aka Carlton Megalodon)
Red - Horror (Jens "Creature" Funke) (Ashburn "Creature" Miller) (Craig "The Beast" Riker **archetypus**)
Commencement
Deadsy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To commence here under the sun, a black congregation.
Some know me the hellion, the stranger among us.
Some know me the maggid, in moments the malign Alumnus.
Throughout my tenure, my time in the mansion, a coven arose,
Descendants truly Urantian.
Now please listen close, divide your attention.
An honor presides the
We've altered the premise and renounced the maxims.
Low and behold the first row tears the Gog,
Alas the sky falls, rain the angels.
The opening lines of Deadsy's song Commencement set the stage for a dark and foreboding atmosphere. The phrase "ill invitation" suggests that the gathering is not a joyful or celebratory occasion, but rather a grim and ominous one. The idea of a "black congregation" adds to the sense of unease, suggesting that those present are perhaps united by a shared sense of gloom or sin.
The lyrics go on to reference a number of different characters - the hellion, the stranger, the maggid, the malign alumnus - each of whom seems to embody some aspect of darkness, danger, or malice. The idea of a "coven" arising during the singer's time in the mansion suggests some kind of sinister group coming together, while the term "descendants truly Urantian" is more cryptic - possibly suggesting some kind of cult or sect.
As the song continues, the tone becomes increasingly surreal, with references to the Negus (an Ethiopian title for a monarch) and the tearing of the Gog. The final lines - "Alas the sky falls, rain the angels" - add to the sense of apocalyptic doom, as if the gathering is heralding some kind of catastrophic event.
Line by Line Meaning
We gather today, with ill invitation.
We are reluctantly gathered here today, with an uncomfortable feeling surrounding us.
To commence here under the sun, a black congregation.
We begin our gathering in the sunlight, with a dark and ominous group of people joining us.
Some know me the hellion, the stranger among us.
Some recognize me as an outsider, with a rebellious nature among this group of people.
Some know me the maggid, in moments the malign Alumnus.
Others see me as a teacher, sometimes viewed as a negative influence on those I instruct.
Throughout my tenure, my time in the mansion, a coven arose, Descendants truly Urantian.
During my time here, a group of people emerged that identify with the teachings of Urantia.
Now please listen close, divide your attention.
I am asking you to pay close attention and focus on what I am about to say.
An honor presides the Negus has yet failed to mention.
There is something honorable that has not been acknowledged by the leader of this group.
We've altered the premise and renounced the maxims.
We have changed our original plan and rejected previously held beliefs.
Low and behold the first row tears the Gog,
The people in the front row are causing a commotion, disrupting our gathering.
Alas the sky falls, rain the angels.
A catastrophic event happens, with a feeling of anger and dissatisfaction among us.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ELIJAH BLUE ALLMAN, RENN HAWKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind