As time went on, Riggs began expanding the band and by early 2001 had a full line-up.
Deadboy's first album, If This Is Hell, Then I'm Lucky was released in 2002. The album was discontinued and for a time was extremely hard to find. However, it has recently been re-released by Rotten Records and Fat Possum. Fat Possum's re-issue altered the artwork, spine and disc to say Dax Riggs instead of deadboy and The Elephantmen. Rotten's re-issue kept the original art intact.
Following the first album Dax Riggs sought new musicians after a couple of the band members quit. The line-up for the first album consisted of Jason Dupre on the guitar, Christopher Gautreaux on the bass, and Jeff LeCompte on the drums. Niki Rhodes Jr. then rejoined the project again, after leaving it the first time, and Christopher (sax and keys) began working with him on futuristic techno rock. Other musicians where then brought in after Christopher and Niki left the group, and New York City-based Nasty Little Man handled the band's live promotions. It was during this time that Tess Brunet was recruited and the two began recording.
An EP, Song Mechanism, was released in late 2004. It was distributed by Riggs through Deadboy's website and various local Louisiana music stores. It too has been discontinued though all four tracks from the EP later appeared on We Are Night Sky.
We Are Night Sky was made available for purchase online in late 2005, but its official release date was February 7, 2006. While it is technically the second full-length album for Deadboy & The Elephantmen, it is the first featuring the simpler two-person lineup and is better distributed than previous efforts, and as such is often referred to as their 'debut' album. Showcasing a completely new sound for the band, drawing on elements of blues rock, garage rock, and folk-tinged indie rock, Riggs and Brunet were often compared to The White Stripes in quick-hit reviews that appeared in Rolling Stone, Maxim, Elle magazine and others in early 2006. Online, it was often referred to as swamp rock.
Upon discovering We Are Night Sky, Henry Rollins began championing the band on his radio show Harmony in My Head and his TV show The Henry Rollins Show. He has since had the band on the latter to perform "Stop, I'm Already Dead".
In late 2006, Brunet left the band, but it has yet to be stated as to why and under what terms. On April 16, 2007 it was announced that the band was no more, and further records will be released under Dax Riggs' own name.
The band has recently seen a surge of popularity after the usage of "Stop, I'm Already Dead" as the theme song to the TV programme "iZombie".
Theme
deadboy & the Elephantmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
don't ya?
tomorrow knows this to be so
revelation at the peep show
sweatin vision like a mojo
a little rock n roll in stereo
everybody sang
deadboy and the elephantmen
I dreamed I kissed a screamin banshee
snow white and divine
among terrible strangers myself and a bottle of wine
these *walls(wolves)* know secret names
for the fire and the rain
falling slowly like the first time
everybody sang
deadboy and the elephantmen
deadboy and the elephantmen
awake and dance
awake the phantoms and invite them to dance
awake the phantoms and invite them to dance
In these lyrics, deadboy & the Elephantmen explore themes of time, revelation, and the power of music. The opening lines, "Yesterday is a corpse that you know, don't ya? Tomorrow knows this to be so," suggest that the past is gone and the future is uncertain. It emphasizes the transient nature of time and the idea that we must live in the present moment.
The reference to "revelation at the peep show" implies a sudden realization or epiphany that occurs when witnessing something unexpected or hidden. This can be interpreted metaphorically as a moment of self-discovery or enlightenment. The line "sweatin vision like a mojo" adds a sense of intensity and passion to this revelation, as if the experience is both exhilarating and overwhelming.
The mention of "rock n roll in stereo" reflects the empowering and universal nature of music. It suggests that through music, everyone can come together and find a way to express themselves. The repetition of "everybody sang, deadboy and the elephantmen" further emphasizes the unifying power of music. It implies that the band's music is capable of bringing people together and creating a sense of community.
The following lines shift the focus to a dreamlike scene where the singer kisses a "screamin banshee," symbolizing a passionate and intense experience. The mention of "terrible strangers" suggests a sense of mystery and the unknown. The presence of a bottle of wine adds to the sensual and surreal atmosphere of the dream. The reference to "walls" may symbolize the barriers and secrets that exist within ourselves, with "secret names for the fire and the rain," representing the hidden depths of our emotions.
The final lines, "awake and dance, awake the phantoms and invite them to dance," convey a sense of liberation and celebration. It suggests that by embracing our inner desires and fears, we can release our inner demons and find a sense of freedom. The idea of inviting the phantoms to dance can be interpreted as a call to confront and embrace the unknown, to fully live and experience life without fear.
Overall, these lyrics reflect a profound exploration of self-discovery, the transient nature of time, and the power of music to unite and liberate. They encourage listeners to embrace the present moment, confront their fears, and find solace in the collective joy of music and human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday is a corpse that you know
The past is dead and gone, and you are aware of it
don't ya?
Isn't that true?
tomorrow knows this to be so
The future understands that the past is unchangeable
revelation at the peep show
A sudden realization or insight gained through observation
sweatin vision like a mojo
Intense and powerful imagery or perception
a little rock n roll in stereo
An energetic and vibrant experience, like listening to rock music in stereo
everybody sang
Everyone joined in and expressed themselves through music
deadboy and the elephantmen
The band's name, representing their unique identity
I dreamed I kissed a screamin banshee
In a dream, I had a passionate and intense encounter with a wild and rebellious woman
snow white and divine
She was pure and heavenly
among terrible strangers myself and a bottle of wine
In an unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation, I found solace in my own company and a bottle of wine
these walls(wolves) know secret names
These surroundings or environment have hidden knowledge or secrets
for the fire and the rain
Related to passion and emotions, both intense and soothing
falling slowly like the first time
Sinking into a state of being gradually, similar to the feeling of experiencing something for the first time
awake and dance
Be awake and lively
awake the phantoms and invite them to dance
Bring forth the hidden desires and emotions, and encourage them to be expressed
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Justin Lloyd
Love it! Thank you so much for continuing the legend of Dax Riggs
Bobby Ramsey
Every section in this song is like the soundtrack to an epic journey that they shrunk down just to put in this song. The last part sounds like what you would play if you wanted to dance in a black mass beneath the moonlight with phantoms while on acid.
M Panayi
I love this song!
Laura Fargo
God his voice gives me CHILLS!
Tabatha DeHart-Conrad
i absolutely love dax!!
Anderw Walker
Love this
Zuhzuhzombie
Man I remember this shit so long ago. Great stuff.
MeatyPunk
@5:53 life changes
mistermayorminor
we live a long night...
Disambiguation144
Louder. Please and Thank You