The combination of original guitarist Cameron Dean's diverse and intricate guitar riffs along with the powerhouse combination of Julia Ruzicka's bass lines were the perfect backdrop to Turner's often upfront and outspoken views on UK politics and society as a whole.
They released two full length records, firstly 'A Song To Ruin' in 2003 to critical acclaim. The band went into a brief hiatus after losing Dean on guitar to be replaced by friend of the band Tom Fowler who at the time was also playing twin-bass punk monoliths Palehorse with drummer Ben Dawson. After two years from the first album the band returned with what was their second and final LP 'Harmony No Harmony' in 2005.
The second album did not garner as much acclaim from the public as before, perhaps because of changing tastes and perhaps due to the change in sound that the band had taken. It was still Million Dead but to some it was different. If asked about the drop in show sizes and attention any member of the band would tell you it galvanised them into accepting and relishing the prospect of being a working punk band once more, without the hype and expectations of success that had been lavished on them before (and which they themselves had fallen prey to believing).
Shortly after the release of the album the band decided to throw in the towel due to personal grievances within the band. Frank Turner started to more heavily pursue his solo efforts consisting of alternative folk pieces far removed from what Million Dead had set out to be in sound (though not necessarily in spirit). Julia Ruzicka and Tom Fowler moved from London to Brighton to start another band together and Ben Dawson continued with Palehorse and joined the Hardcore Punk band Armed Response Unit, the experimental bands Mothlite and Queen of Swords and is working on a metal project with Derya Nagle from The Safety Fire. He has also been working as a session and live drummer for many other artists including, most recently The Big Pink on their single 'Stop The World.'
The band released a deluxe edition of 'A Song to Ruin' in 2009 which comprised of the album plus five bonus tracks and a DVD including Cameron Dean's last show, the band's last ever London show and all their promotional videos.
Frank Turner's solo projects projected him onto heights of touring as support for Green Day and playing the UK and Europe festivals. In 2012 what many believe to be the return to his roots he formed Mongol Horde with Ben Dawson who have a similar sound to Million Dead.
The band comprised of;
Frank Turner - Vocals.
Julia Ruzicka - Bass.
Ben Dawson - Drums.
Cameron Dean - Guitar (2000-04)
Tom Fowler - Guitar (2004-05)
Current projects;
Frank Turner is now a solo musician -
(www.myspace.com/frankturner)
Lead singer for Mongol Horde (with Ben Dawson on drums)
Ben Dawson now plays drums for -
Pale Horse (www.myspace.com/thispalehorse)
Armed Response Unit (www.myspace.com/thearmedresponseunit)
Mothlite (www.myspace.com/mothlite)
Queen of Swords (www.myspace.com/queenofswordssound)
Mongol Horde (with Frank Turner on vocals)
Julia Ruzicka has played bass for Future of the Left since 2010. In the autumn of 2016 she released a solo album as this becomes us.
Julia Ruzicka & Tom Fowler have now formed -
The Quiet Kill (www.myspace.com/thequietkill)
Medicine
Million Dead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At a redrawing of the boundaries
When Pilsudski
Will rear his head in Iberia,
'Cause he's been moving west
For centuries,
Creeping
Every time that Mazzini turns
And I have watched his drift with sallow skin
And with longing
For the western coasts where he would lay his head
And get well
For he has caught a disease
That makes him bleed when breathing.
They sent him south for the cure
To the shores of the Starnbergersee.
So the day will come
When I pack my things
And move west
Into the setting sun
Because my strength has failed,
I am fading
So will you tend my sheep
And will you till my fields
Until I get back
Because I will be coming home,
My health restored.
And if Josef can lose
Himself in the dark
Of the continent
Then surely
There must be a way
That I can cough up the last
Of the cought in my lungs
And lose myself.
Nineteenth Century science
Cannot soother my chest.
Staggering through Europe,
I keep on heading west.
My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine
My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine
My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine
My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine
My medicine
Is a setting sun
The lyrics of Million Dead's song "Medicine" are highly poetic and contain numerous references to historical figures and events. At its core, the song appears to be a meditation on mortality and the desperation that can accompany illness. The first verse mentions Polish statesman Józef Piłsudski, who is known for his role in the country's struggle for independence in the early 20th century. The lyrics suggest that Piłsudski's restless spirit is still moving west centuries later, as if seeking a cure or a better life. The mention of Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Mazzini, who is buried in Genoa, appears to be a nod to the idea that Piłsudski is following in his footsteps in some sense.
The second verse shifts to the singer's perspective, as they describe the disease that has afflicted them and the failed attempts at finding a cure. The mention of the Starnbergersee, a lake in southern Germany, implies that the singer has traveled to that region in search of healing. The third verse then returns to the idea of heading west, this time with a more personal appeal as the singer implores someone to take care of their belongings while they seek out a cure for their illness. The final refrain, "My medicine is a setting sun," suggests that the singer is resigned to their mortality and sees no hope in medicine or science.
Overall, "Medicine" is a richly layered and allusive song that combines personal experience with historical and literary references. Its central theme is the search for a cure or relief from illness, but it also touches on broader ideas about history, memory, and the transience of human life.
Line by Line Meaning
The day will come
There will be a day in the future
At a redrawing of the boundaries
During a change in political or territorial borders
When Pilsudski
Referring to Józef Piłsudski, a Polish nationalist and socialist politician
Will rear his head in Iberia,
Will become dominant or influential in Spain and Portugal
'Cause he's been moving west
Because he has been expanding his influence to the western parts of Europe
For centuries,
For a long period of time
Creeping
Advancing gradually and secretly
Every time that Mazzini turns
Every time Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian revolutionary, dies and is buried
In his grave.
Referring to Mazzini being dead and buried
And I have watched his drift with sallow skin
And I have observed his progression with pale and sickly-looking skin (possibly referring to Piłsudski's health)
And with longing
And with a strong desire or yearning
For the western coasts where he would lay his head
For the western regions where Piłsudski could rest
And get well
And recover from his illness
For he has caught a disease
Because he has contracted an illness
That makes him bleed when breathing.
That causes him to bleed when he breathes
They sent him south for the cure
He was sent south for treatment
To the shores of the Starnbergersee.
Referring to a lake in Bavaria, Germany, possibly where Piłsudski received treatment
So the day will come
So there will come a time in the future
When I pack my things
When I prepare to leave
And move west
And go to or travel towards the western parts of Europe
Into the setting sun
Towards the sun as it sets in the west
Because my strength has failed,
Because of my loss of strength or energy
I am fading
I am weakening or declining
So will you tend my sheep
So will you take care of my responsibilities or possessions while I'm gone (possibly referring to an actual herd of sheep)
And will you till my fields
And will you work on my land or farm
Until I get back
Until I return
Because I will be coming home,
Because I will return home
My health restored.
My health will be restored
And if Josef can lose
And if Józef Piłsudski can disappear or hide
Himself in the dark
Himself and his whereabouts can remain hidden or unknown
Of the continent
In the vast lands of Europe
Then surely
Then certainly or undoubtedly
There must be a way
There must be a method or means
That I can cough up the last
That I can expel the remaining amount of
Of the cought in my lungs
Referring to mucus, phlegm, or a disease in the singer's lungs
And lose myself.
And disappear or become lost
Nineteenth Century science
Science and medical knowledge from the 1800s
Cannot soother my chest.
Cannot provide relief for the singer's chest or lungs
Staggering through Europe,
Moving through Europe unsteadily or with difficulty
I keep on heading west.
I continue to move towards the western parts of Europe
My medicine
What makes me better or my relief
Is a setting sun
Is the sun as it sets in the west
My medicine
What makes me better or my relief
My medicine
What makes me better or my relief
Is a setting sun
Is the sun as it sets in the west
My medicine
What makes me better or my relief
Is a setting sun
Is the sun as it sets in the west
Contributed by Gabriel M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dave R
Totally underrated song
Tomato&Potato Prodakszyns
Thx for the upload !