45 Grave
Encyclopedia
45 Grave are an American punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...

 band from Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...

 formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer
Dinah Cancer
Dinah Cancer is the stage name of Mary Simms. She is a vocalist, best known for her band 45 Grave, one of the founders of the genre of music known as "deathrock".-Biography:...

 subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as progenitors of the horror punk
Horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...

 subgenre. Their unique appearance and morbid theatricality also distinguished them as innovators of goth rock as well as "deathrock
Deathrock
Deathrock is a term used to identify a sub-genre of punk rock incorporating horror elements and spooky atmospherics, that emerged on the West Coast of the United States in 1979.-Characteristics:...

," a term used to identify a subgenre of punk rock incorporating horror elements and spooky atmospherics.

History

The band was formed in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...

 during the punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...

 movement. The original lineup consisted of Dinah Cancer
Dinah Cancer
Dinah Cancer is the stage name of Mary Simms. She is a vocalist, best known for her band 45 Grave, one of the founders of the genre of music known as "deathrock".-Biography:...

 on vocals, Paul Cutler (formerly of The Consumers) on guitar, Rob Ritter (also known as Rob Graves of The Bags) on bass, and Don Bolles (of The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...

) on drums. The band evolved out of an industrial music
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...

 band called Vox Pop, who recorded two singles and played around the Los Angeles area, specifically in the punk institution The Masque. Vox Pop contained all of the members of 45 Grave as well as others such as Jeff Dahl. Vox Pop continued to coexist with 45 Grave until early 1981. The band's name, despite rumors to the contrary, was lifted from a button.

In 1980, 45 Grave recorded their first released song, "Riboflavin Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Poly-Unsaturated Blood", included on the LAFMS (Los Angeles Free Music Society
Los Angeles Free Music Society
The Los Angeles Free Music Society has been, since the early 1970s, the banner heading of a loose collective of experimental musicians in Los Angeles, California who were joined by an aesthetic based around radicalism and playfulness...

) art rock compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...

, Darker Skratcher. The song was a cover version of novelty song
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...

 originally performed by Don Hinson And The Rigamorticians on their 1964 album release Monster Dance Party. The 45 Grave recording (as with the original, produced by Gary S. Paxton of Skip & Flip
Skip & Flip
Skip & Flip was a U.S. pop duo, consisting of Skip Battin and Flip aka Gary S...

) achieved cult status and became a signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...

 of the band's live sets.

Early on, the band began by playing The Consumers songs that Cutler had written, with lyrics changed to fit Cancer's singing style, before concentrating on composing new material like "Black Cross" (issued as their first single, featuring Pat Smear
Pat Smear
Pat Smear is a rock musician who has been a guitarist in several well-known bands including The Germs and Nirvana. He is currently a guitarist for the Foo Fighters...

 of The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...

 on guitar) and a fast-paced punk song called "Party Time" (which was later slowed down and reworked on their 1983 debut album and sole studio release, Sleep in Safety
Sleep in Safety
Sleep in Safety is the 1983 debut album by the American deathrock band 45 Grave. It is the band's only studio album. A remastered edition of the album was released in 1993 on Restless Records, including two additional bonus tracks....

. Another signature 45 Grave track, "Evil," was featured on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....

, and band members appeared as extras in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...

.

Despite never achieving major success, 45 Grave are recognized as being one of the first American gothic bands, predating the formation of Christian Death
Christian Death
Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....

. Allmusic cites them as a top artist in the Goth rock genre, and the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles lists 45 Grave and Christian Death as "early proponents of American Gothic Rock."

Style

45 Grave's musical style is punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...

 with a darker edge/horror movie aesthetic, and hence is representative of the genre deathrock
Deathrock
Deathrock is a term used to identify a sub-genre of punk rock incorporating horror elements and spooky atmospherics, that emerged on the West Coast of the United States in 1979.-Characteristics:...

/horror-punk. Keyboards are used to create an electric organ sound which adds to the spooky atmosphere of many songs. High-pitched female vocals are usually used, but the whole band provides backing vocals and occasionally lead vocals. The band also has a connection to surf rock, manifested in the instrumental "Surf Bat" from Sleep in Safety
Sleep in Safety
Sleep in Safety is the 1983 debut album by the American deathrock band 45 Grave. It is the band's only studio album. A remastered edition of the album was released in 1993 on Restless Records, including two additional bonus tracks....

. In the vein of horror punk
Horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...

 artists, the band's appearance draws from horror films (Italian zombie flicks in particular) to create a camp gothic aesthetic. However, the band's lyrical themes don't often draw inspiration from horror films, instead adopting a tongue-in-cheek manner.

Return of the Living Dead

In 1985, a new, heavier version of "Party Time" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Return of the Living Dead
Return of the Living Dead
The Return of the Living Dead is a 1985 American zombie film that was followed by several sequels. The film was written and directed by Dan O'Bannon and starred Clu Gulager, James Karen and Don Calfa....

along with tracks by bands such as TSOL
TSOL
TSOL is an American punk rock band which formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California. TSOL is short for True Sounds of Liberty although they are rarely referred to by their full name....

 and The Cramps
The Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...

.

The band reformed in 1988 for a brief tour, which was recorded and released as Only the Good Die Young. However. when Ritter died in 1990 from an accidental drug overdose, the band broke up once again.

Reformation

In 2004, 45 Grave reformed to commemorate their 25th anniversary, with Dinah Cancer being the single remaining member from previous incarnations. Dinah Cancer posted on her MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....

 blog, "I'm building this to keep the spirit of 45 Grave alive, introduce its magic to new fans, and as a personal commemorative of my best memories being the driving force and front person of 45 Grave. This is a part of my life that indeed changed me forever." One of the touring members involved in this lineup was Rikk Agnew
Rikk Agnew
Richard Francis Agnew, Jr. , more commonly known as Rikk Agnew, is an American guitarist who has played in some of the most influential bands of the Orange County hardcore punk scene, as well as the influential deathrock band Christian Death.- Biography:With Casey Royer, Agnew played in Social...

, formerly of Christian Death.

In 2010, Rikk's brother Frank Agnew (TSOL, Social Distortion, The Adolescents) joined the band. Frank Agnew brought the band closer to the classic sound of the Paul Cutler/Rob Graves era, and his traditional approach to the classic 45 Grave songs such as “Party Time” and “Black Cross” won rave reviews at their first few shows with him. The current lineup is fleshed out by a rhythm section consisting of Los Angeles goth-rock mainstay Tom Coyne (The Last Dance, Frankenstein) on drums and newcomer Brannden Blackwell on bass.

Night of the Demons

Night of the Demons
Night of the Demons
Night of the Demons is a 1988 cult classic horror film written and produced by Joe Augustyn and directed by Kevin S. Tenney. The film tells the story of ten high school seniors having a Halloween party in an isolated mortuary...

, a 2009 remake of the classic 1987 cult horror film, featured 45 Grave's title track. A soundtrack CD release is planned. The song "Night of the Demons" will also be included on an upcoming 45 Grave EP.

Current

  • Dinah Cancer
    Dinah Cancer
    Dinah Cancer is the stage name of Mary Simms. She is a vocalist, best known for her band 45 Grave, one of the founders of the genre of music known as "deathrock".-Biography:...

     - Vocals
    Singing
    Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...

     (1979–1990, 2004–present)
  • Frank Agnew - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

     (2010–present)
  • Brandden Blackwell - bass
    Bass guitar
    The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

     (2009–present)
  • Tom Coyne - drums
    Drum kit
    A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

     (2008–present)

Former

  • Paul Cutler - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

    , backing vocals, keyboards
    Keyboard instrument
    A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...

     (1979–1990)
  • Paul Roessler
    Paul Roessler
    Paul Roessler was a prominent member of the L.A. punk scene during the late 1970s and '80s. He played keyboards in bands such as The Screamers, Twisted Roots, 45 Grave, Nervous Gender, SAUPG, Geza X and the Mommymen, Mike Watt and the Secondmen, Nina Hagen and The Deadbeats...

     - keyboard
    Keyboard instrument
    A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...

    s, backing vocals (1980–1990)
  • Rob Ritter (aka Rob Graves)- bass
    Bass guitar
    The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

    , backing vocals (1979–1990)
  • Don Bolles - drums
    Drum kit
    A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

    , backing vocals (1979–1990)
  • Mikey Borens - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

     (1983–1984)
  • Del Hopkins - drums
    Drum kit
    A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

    , keyboard
    Keyboard instrument
    A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...

    s (intermittently, 1980-1986)
  • Bruce Duff - bass
    Bass guitar
    The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

     (intermittently, 1983-1985)
  • Mike "Thrashhead" Sullivan - drums
    Drum kit
    A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....

     (2005–2007)
  • Lisa Pifer
    Lisa Pifer
    Lisa Pifer aka: Lisafer is an American bass player and song writer from Los Angeles. She has played in many punk bands, including U.X.A., Nina Hagen, D.I., Snap-her, and Lisafer...

     - bass
    Bass guitar
    The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

     (2004–2009)
  • Jamie Pina - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

     (2004–2006)
  • Rikk Agnew
    Rikk Agnew
    Richard Francis Agnew, Jr. , more commonly known as Rikk Agnew, is an American guitarist who has played in some of the most influential bands of the Orange County hardcore punk scene, as well as the influential deathrock band Christian Death.- Biography:With Casey Royer, Agnew played in Social...

     - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

     (2004)
  • Stevyn Grey - drums (2007–2008)
  • L. Ron Jeremy - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

     (2006–2010)
  • Kenton Holmes - guitar
    Guitar
    The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...

     (2006–2010)

EPs

  • Phantoms (containing new and alternative versions of tracks) (1983)
  • What Is 45 Grave? A Tale Of A Strange Phenomena (1984)

Compilations

  • Darker Skratcher (various artists compilation) (1980)
  • Hell Comes to Your House
    Hell Comes To Your House
    Hell Comes to Your House is an American Deathrock and punk compilation that chronicles the emergence of Deathrock as a genre.The album was originally released in 1981 but reissued in 1998...

    (various artists compilation containing alternative versions of some tracks) (1981)
  • The Return of the Living Dead (various artists compilation) (1985)
  • Enigma Variations
    Enigma Variations (album)
    The Enigma Variations is a compilation album of newer artists that were on Enigma Records or one of its subsidiaries. It was originally released as a double LP and cassette, but was then subsequently also released as a CD with a reduced number of tracks. The album was compiled by Steve Pross and...

    (various artists compilation) (1985)
  • Autopsy
    Autopsy (album)
    Autopsy is a compilation album by 45 Grave. It contains new tracks, alternate versions of existing tracks and the track "Black Cross" and its b-Side "Wax."-Track listing:# "The Plan" - 2:03# "Take 9" - 1:31# "Anti-Anti-Anti" - 1:56...

    (compilation of new tracks, alternative versions, and tracks from the "Black Cross
    Black Cross
    "Black Cross" is 45 Grave's debut single. It was not featured on an album but was later included on their 1987 compilation "Autopsy", and remains a staple of their live performances. It is a good example of 45 Grave's style: a blend of goth and punk rock....

    " single) (1987)
  • Only the Good Die Young (Live) (1989) (reissued in 1993)
  • Debasement Tapes (Demos) (1993)
  • A Devil's Possessions (Demos and live) (2008)

See also

  • Deathrock
    Deathrock
    Deathrock is a term used to identify a sub-genre of punk rock incorporating horror elements and spooky atmospherics, that emerged on the West Coast of the United States in 1979.-Characteristics:...

  • Christian Death
    Christian Death
    Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....

  • Ripper
    Ripper
    Ripper may refer to:* Jack the Ripper, a pseudonym given to an unidentified serial killer active in the largely impoverished Whitechapel area and adjacent districts of London in the latter half of 1888...

     lead guitarist/vocalist Rob Graves
    Rob Graves
    Robert Douglas "Rob" Graves is an American songwriter, musician, and producer. He is most well known for his work with Grammy-nominated and Dove Award winning band Red....

    , not to be confused with Rob (Graves) Ritter of 45 Grave.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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