Elliott began his musical career as the drummer for punk rock outfit Cloverbottom in Nashville, Elliott later experimented with electronic percussion as a member of the Actuals (later known as Factual).After becomming fed up with the stagnant Nashville rock scene, Elliott moved to Chicago in 1982, where he made important friendships with producer Martin Hannett (Joy Division, New Order) and Ministry member Paul Barker. Returning to Nashville in 1985, Elliott even lured the famed producer into the studio to work on Dessau's first EP, Red Languages.
Working with veteran Nashville rockers Skot Nelson (guitars) and Mike Orr (bass), Dessau would release a series of dance-oriented EPs through the latter half of the '80s, including Happy Mood in 1986. The 1988 Mad Hog EP featured a remix of the minor dance hit "Unshakeable" by Ministry's Al Jourgensen. Both Jourgensen and Paul Barker would contribute to a 1988 cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" which would become Dessau's dancefloor breakthrough. A full-length album, Exercise in Tension, would follow in 1989. Produced by Giles Reaves and including "Isolation," the CD version included "Beijing," Dessau's third (and last so far) hit dance track. With industrial dance becoming old hat in the face of the Seattle revolution, Elliott disbanded Dessau.
During the '90s, Elliott turned toward other projects which included the band, Passafist. (the group's 1995 self-titled album even received a Dove Award nomination for Best Christian Heavy Metal Album.) Re-forming Dessau with guitarist Norm Rau, Elliott released the heavier, less dance-oriented Details Sketchy in 1995, collaborating with members of Ministry, Pigface, and Filter. Mausoleum Records would later buy the rights to Dessau's back catalog; old friends Jourgensen and Barker revisiting and remixing Dessau songs like "Beijing," "Skeletons By Nature," and "Isolation" for the label's 1995 CD reissue.
They have worked with a virtual "whos-who" of "Industrial" including Paul Barker and Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Jason McNinch (Lick), Van Christie, Jim Marcus (Die Warzau), Luc Van Acker (revco), Richard Patrick (Filter) and many others........
There may be a possibility (hmmm hint hint here, I wonder who may be smart enough to release this??) of this great band releasing some new material soon soon which may include the re-release of some old Ep's, unreleased Paul Barker/ Al Jourgensen remixes, demos and out-takes as well as another new release that has NEW songs and new remixes on it! Would all of you be as excited about something like this as I would?
(parts of this thread was written from an article by Rev. Keith A. Gordon, All Music Guide)
Discography:
Red Languages (12") Not On Label 1985
Happy Mood (Vinyl, EP) Faction Records 1986
Isolation (12") Carlyle Records 1988
Mad Hog (12") Carlyle Records 1988
Exercise In Tension (CD) Carlyle Records 1989
Exercise In Tension (LP) Carlyle Records 1989
Exercise In Tension (LP, Album) Carlyle Records 1989
Beijing / Europe Light (Remix) (12") Carlyle Records 1990
Dessau (CD, Album) Mausoleum 1995
Details Sketchy (CD, Album) Fifth Colvmn 1995
2009???????
In July 2009, DESSAU will release the 17 song THE TRUTH HURTS on WTII Records. This 1985-2000 retrospective package contains tracks from their first two vinyl only 12" EPs, RED LANGUAGES, produced by Martin Hannett and HAPPY MOOD, plus 4 unreleased Paul Barker produced songs, alternate mixes and 2 live Joy Division tracks. THE TRUTH HURTS will be the precursor to the first new DESSAU material in 10 years.
NO WAY
Dessau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
bring the people and the music and the movement all together now
we see through
repetitive etiquette and the highly unoriginal
were here to
bring the people and the music and the movement all together now
they will lose
check it out now, check it out now
gonna exercise that brain to break the chain pain is a part of gain
no need to explain
we innovate to generate an intricately interwoven tapestry
of musical and ethical epiphanies
the interest is minimal
im on an awsome mission with an angel
that can take it all the way to where the sun is
just like a runner loving running
tryina turn it into a simple symphony
simple sentiment adrenaline is coming back
im in the innercity, where i gotta be a superstar
id rather be a galaxy
but how you see is so dependent on the medicine the rhetoric
and how at any second you think you could sit on the brink of this
world is all asleep and i have no apologies
i breathe
keep my sight on what we ride on
let bygones be bygones
the migraines dont sidetrack
my final destination nothing rivals predetermination
to exterminate the germination
of a nation that accepts anything thats thrown in its fat face
cause when theres nothing left
theres no more point to the rat race
we dont waste a minute of the day
dont be offended what im saying
trying to send it all way to another stage
a creative alternator rated and greater
the crazy maniac mellodies end up all up in your face wait
success aint only based on self esteem
it takes a sense to differentiate between
whats yours and someone elses dreams
i felt the screams climbing up my cold spine
saying nows the time to put in all the energy
to get rid of the enemy... i said it so..
were here to
bring the people and the music and the movement all together now
we see through
repetitive etiquette and the highly unoriginal
were here to
bring the people and the music and the movement all together now
they will lose
sick of the same old thing
free us and touch what we cant see
twist that knife and watch him bleed
lost inside its way too deep
someone choke me
help me breathe
run from mistakes
right in my face
feels like im running in place
The song "No Way" by Dessau is a call for change - a change in how people view music and activism, and a change in society as a whole. The lyrics emphasize the need to break free from repetitive and unoriginal ways, and to innovate in order to generate a better tapestry of music and ethical values. The song speaks of the pain that is necessary to achieve gain and progress, and how it is important not to waste a single minute of the day. The lyrics also speak of the need to exterminate the germination of a nation that blindly accepts anything, and calls for a sense of differentiation between one's own dreams and someone else's dreams. The song calls for an end to a rat race that has no more point, and for all people to come together for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
were here to
bring the people and the music and the movement all together now
Our mission is to bring people, music, and a cultural movement together in unity.
we see through
repetitive etiquette and the highly unoriginal
We recognize and reject the repetitiveness of established customs and the lack of originality in art.
they will lose
Those who continue on the path of the conventional and the stale will inevitably fail.
sick of the same old thing
I am tired of the unchanging, monotonous routine.
free us and touch what we cant see
Help us explore the intangible and hidden aspects of existence.
twist that knife and watch him bleed
Expose people to the harsh realities of life to facilitate growth.
lost inside its way too deep
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to navigate through life's challenges.
someone choke me
help me breathe
Feeling suffocated and in need of help to revive myself.
run from mistakes
right in my face
feels like i'm running in place
Running away from the consequences of my mistakes, leaving me feeling stuck in one spot.
this is a necessary change from the grim simple and plain
gonna exercise that brain to break the chain pain is a part of gain
no need to explain
we innovate to generate an intricately interwoven tapestry
of musical and ethical epiphanies
the interest is minimal
im on an awesome mission with an angel
that can take it all the way to where the sun is
just like a runner loving running
tryina turn it into a simple symphony
simple sentiment adrenaline is coming back
im in the innercity, where i gotta be a superstar
id rather be a galaxy
but how you see is so dependent on the medicine the rhetoric
and how at any second you think you could sit on the brink of this
world is all asleep and i have no apologies
i breathe
keep my sight on what we ride on
let bygones be bygones
the migraines dont sidetrack
my final destination nothing rivals predetermination
to exterminate the germination
of a nation that accepts anything thats thrown in its fat face
cause when theres nothing left
theres no more point to the rat race
we dont waste a minute of the day
dont be offended what im saying
trying to send it all way to another stage
a creative alternator rated and greater
the crazy maniac melodies end up all up in your face wait
success aint only based on self esteem
it takes a sense to differentiate between
whats yours and someone elses dreams
i felt the screams climbing up my cold spine
saying nows the time to put in all the energy
to get rid of the enemy... i said it so..
We are bringing about necessary change through exercising creativity, innovation and hard work to generate meaningful, intricate musical and ethical epiphanies. We aim to create a beautiful masterpiece in the midst of a dull, mundane world where nothing seems to change. We won't let challenges divert us from our path to victory, where satisfaction comes from our hard work and determination to succeed. We strive to break free from societal limitations and strive for something epic. Success isn't always based on self-esteem but rather an ability to distinctively differentiate between our dreams and those of others. We hear our innermost desires, yelling for us to push harder and reach our final destination, to overcome what stands in our way.
Contributed by Gabriella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.