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**)
Phantasmagore
Deadsy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You try to sell the sooth, you try to turn me on
And undercover at night
In times of ill refute they play a distant song
When there's a sudden surprise
And they're not trying to be ruthless, they want to belong
Oh, will they ever produce this
Malevolent stranger devoid of wrong
And still it rolls along
Forever facing the sun
Let the suicide of music take control
Oh, we would hope to remove
Of all the dying in twos and the drifting in nines
Time to open your eyes
And see the fading of truth by the growing of lies
So if you ever could choose
Between the valley and kingdom your faith shall rise
And still it turns the time
Bereathed in burning fires
A plasmic herald sinks alone and cries
"Let bleed the nectars of devotion"
Beneath the earth still lies phantasmic emerald paradises
Come cosmic thunder, sip the potion
Let the suicide of music take control
As the carrier infuses to your soul
Bereathed in burning fires
A plasmic herald sinks alone and cries
"Let bleed the nectars of devotion"
Beneath the earth still lies phantasmic emerald paradises
Come cosmic thunder, sip the potion
Let the suicide of music take control
As the carrier infuses to your soul
The lyrics of Deadsy's song Phantasmagore delve into the human psyche and the power of music. The opening lines "In the blackest of light, you try to sell the sooth, you try to turn me on" suggest that the singer is being lured or hypnotized by someone who is trying to manipulate them. The use of the term "sooth" suggests that this person is trying to offer comfort or relief from something, but the singer is suspicious of their intentions. The phrase "undercover at night" adds to the ominous tone, implying that this person is not to be trusted. The line "when there's a sudden surprise" suggests that there may be consequences to following this person, but it's not clear what those consequences may be.
The chorus of the song, "let the suicide of music take control," is a powerful statement about the power of music to affect and transform us. The lyrics suggest that music has the ability to take us to a different place, to help us escape from reality or to connect with something deeper within ourselves. The phrase "suicide of music" may sound negative, but in this context it is meant to suggest a kind of transformation or rebirth, where the old self is destroyed to make way for something new.
The second verse of the song emphasizes the idea that we are constantly faced with choices in life, between truth and lies, between the known and the unknown. The line "and see the fading of truth by the growing of lies" suggests that we are often misled by those who seek to control us, and that it's our responsibility to see through their deception. The final chorus of the song repeats the phrase "let the suicide of music take control," reinforcing the idea that music has the power to transform us and take us to a higher level of consciousness.
Line by Line Meaning
In the blackest of light
Even in the darkest times
You try to sell the sooth, you try to turn me on
People try to deceive me with lies to lead me astray
And undercover at night
Hidden away and unnoticed
In times of ill refute they play a distant song
During trying times, they play an unrelated tune far away
When there's a sudden surprise
When something unexpected happens
And they're not trying to be ruthless, they want to belong
They aren't intentionally cruel, they just want to fit in
Oh, will they ever produce this
Will they ever create something evil
Malevolent stranger devoid of wrong
A malevolent stranger who always does wrong
And still it rolls along
Despite everything, life continues
Forever facing the sun
Continuously moving forward
Let the suicide of music take control
Let the music guide you
Oh, we would hope to remove
I wish to eliminate
Of all the dying in twos and the drifting in nines
Of all the people who die in pairs and drift apart in groups of nine
Time to open your eyes
It's time to see the truth
And see the fading of truth by the growing of lies
Witness the truth disappearing as lies take over
So if you ever could choose
If you had to make a choice
Between the valley and kingdom your faith shall rise
Choosing between humbleness and power will strengthen your faith
And still it turns the time
Despite everything, time continues
Bereathed in burning fires
Surrounded by intense flames
A plasmic herald sinks alone and cries
A messenger of plasma sinks and cries alone
"Let bleed the nectars of devotion"
Release your devotion and let it flow
Beneath the earth still lies phantasmic emerald paradises
Below the surface, imaginary green paradises exist
Come cosmic thunder, sip the potion
Arrive, cosmic energy, and take in the liquid
As the carrier infuses to your soul
As the vessel infuses your soul
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ovadose9150
Commencement, was like a religious experience for me. It sounded like something trying to communicate with me. I remember those nights vividly. Getting super stoned all night and listening. I hadn't been smoking for a long time.
So I really felt like I was on another planet. This might sound dumb but nothing went together like, drugs and commencement. Like I said, it sounded like something was trying to communicate... I'd get so fucked up, and get lost in it
@footbal56
A Deadsy reunion would be most epic. New songs and a tour. One can dream.
@synthoelectro
The more I hear this album, and this is my 3rd time in years, the more I appreciate it. It takes a different turn than Commencement, but it's a masterpiece in its own rite. But wow, Commencement hit me in ways I can't explain, you feel it, it's not part of this world.
@homevalueglass3809
I actually prefer this album as a whole, way less boring filler songs but both rock in my book, though Cruella and Mansion Mansion world are 👌. This remaster jacks the bass and kick drum up so really makes it bump on a good system
@jasonscholl2945
Almark I have had the same experience w Commencement. It is bar none the most unique and deep and powerful and emotional and thought provoking music I have heard in my life and I do not typically like the 80s influences and aesthetics tho that is just one small aspect of deadsy. I would have passed em up if I didn't give the music a real listen... It's impossible for me to communicate the effect Commencement had/has on me. It came into my life at a strange time. it's very esoteric and ahead of its time..its...a gift. A true gift for those "with ears to hear". A true masterpiece of modernity (which is most rare). Let's pray for a 30 year anniversary box set or something!!
⛓ 📘 💀
@synthoelectro
@Jason Scholl I don't think they know how amazing their music really is, or maybe they do.
@bannor216
only song i listen to on it really.
edit: in THIS life...because Commencement killed me. And this song is The Exorcist of Heavy Metal
@RGT85
Love this song!
@homevalueglass3809
Me too!💪
@Xeo7
Fancy seeing you here, dude. Had no idea you were a Deadsy fan. I fucking LOVED these guys and then they just disappeared after this album.