God Lives Underwater
Encyclopedia
God Lives Underwater was an industrial rock
band from rural Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
(near Philadelphia), formed in 1993 by band members David Reilly and Jeff Turzo
. God Lives Underwater was originally signed to American Recordings after being discovered by Rick Rubin
, who subsequently produced the band's first two albums. Prior to the band's breakup, there were two other members, Andrew McGee
and Adam Kary.
The band produced an Extended Play
(EP) in 1995. Later that year, they released their first studio album, Empty
. In 1998, they released another studio album, Life in the So-Called Space Age
. It was their first and only album to ever chart, peaking #6 on Heatseekers
, and #137 on the Billboard 200. Later that year, the released their second EP, Rearrange
. In 2004, God Lives Underwater released their last album, Up Off The Floor
. David later re-united with drummer Adam Kary in Philadelphia and created Fluzee. The two wrote and recorded a 7 track CD entitled "Seven" Recorded in Kary's Philadelphia house, it was sold in limited edition online. They put together a live band to play a few shows in Philadelphia. David on guitar and vocals, Adam on guitar and backing vocal, Melissa Zahnweh on bass and Pat Haslup on drums.
One year later, lead singer David Reilly died in his sleep, after the band's breakup.
to form the band's name. Stated influences of the band's sound include Depeche Mode
, Nine Inch Nails
, David Bowie
, The Psychedelic Furs, and Spiritualized
. Reilly disparaged uses of "electronica
" in reference to the band in 1998, suggesting that "techno
" would be more appropriate, but ultimately saying that he would prefer the label "pop band".
God Lives Underwater was the first EP released by God Lives Underwater in 1995 but recorded in 1993. "No More Love
" was also released on the band's first album Empty
. The song "Drag Me Down" was featured in the movie The Doom Generation and the song "No More Love" was featured in the movie Johnny Mnemonic. The EP consists of 6 tracks.
Empty is God Lives Underwater's first full length album, released in October 1995 via American Recordings. Several songs have been featured from this album for movies; "Tortoise" was used in the movie National Lampoon's Senior Trip, "No More Love" was used in Johnny Mnemonic, and "Weight"—an outtake from Empty—was featured in Mortal Kombat: More Kombat. The album consists of 11 tracks (5 on re-release).
Life in the So-Called Space Age is the 1998 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their second full length album. The title comes from the cover of the Depeche Mode album Black Celebration, where it appears in quotes on the back, while the front cover features a distorted view of a skyscraper. The song "From Your Mouth" appeared in the 2000 movie Gossip. The album consists of 11 tracks. It topped number 137 on the U.S. Billboard
in April 1998, which it maintained being on the chart for two weeks. "Medicated to the one I Love", the last track on the album, lasts up to 32:24, making it a significantly long song, and the bands longest song ever released. Allmusic gave the album four stars. Rearrange EP is the 1998 promotional EP released by God Lives Underwater and is their second EP album. The EP consists of 5 tracks. Their 1998 single "From Your Mouth
" peaked at number seven-teen on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks
chart, supported by an unusual music video
directed by Roman Coppola
, featuring champion hot-dog eater Hirofumi Nakajima removing vast quantities of food 'from his mouth'. The video footage is actually a single take played in reverse, which was achieved after five other takes (each of which required Nakajima to stuff his face).
Contractual entanglements and a label bankruptcy postponed the release of their follow-up album Up Off The Floor
, and was finally released in 2004 on an independent label, but by that time, the core members of God Lives Underwater had split up and moved on to other projects. Up Off the Floor caused numerous complaints amongst fans about the quality of the album's mastering, as well as complaints that two of the more well-known songs from the album's sessions ("Choir Boy" and "Fame") were removed and not included in the official release for undisclosed reasons. The album was, however, released to somewhat modest success, with the song "1% (The Long Way Down)" featured in the movie 15 Minutes. The album consists of 10 tracks and is the last album by God Lives Underwater.
Jeff Turzo
started Wired All Wrong
with Matt Mahaffey
while David Reilly pursued a solo career. Band member David Reilly died in his sleep on the morning of October 16, 2005 from complications of a coma brought on by bleeding, as a result of tooth infection. He was 34 years old. A book about David Reilly was released on 10/16/07 titled "Dreams Are Unfinished Thoughts" by Brian Paone, longtime friend of David and the band with all proceeds from the book going to David's nephew.
, Nine Inch Nails
, Cabaret Voltaire
, KMFDM
, and Ministry
. The band performs in a gloomy, aggressive, and yearning mood. They are considered to have the styles of: heavy metal alternative, Indie Rock
, Industrial Metal
, etc.
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
band from rural Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
(near Philadelphia), formed in 1993 by band members David Reilly and Jeff Turzo
Jeff Turzo
Jeff Turzo, as singer/programming and songwriting/production partner in the electro-rock band God Lives Underwater , spent the better part of the 1990s as a producer and touring artist, first signed by Rick Rubin to American Recordings in 1993....
. God Lives Underwater was originally signed to American Recordings after being discovered by Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
, who subsequently produced the band's first two albums. Prior to the band's breakup, there were two other members, Andrew McGee
Andrew McGee
Andrew McGee is the former guitarist for God Lives Underwater. He currently plays guitar in Wired All Wrong.- References :...
and Adam Kary.
The band produced an Extended Play
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(EP) in 1995. Later that year, they released their first studio album, Empty
Empty (God Lives Underwater album)
Empty is God Lives Underwater's first full length album, released in October 1995 via American Recordings. Several songs from this album have featured in movies: "Tortoise" was used in the movie National Lampoon's Senior Trip, "No More Love" was used in Johnny Mnemonic, and "Weight"—an outtake...
. In 1998, they released another studio album, Life in the So-Called Space Age
Life in the So-Called Space Age
Life in the So-Called Space Age is the 1998 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their second full length album. The title comes from the cover of the Depeche Mode album Black Celebration, where it appears in quotes on the back, while the front cover features a distorted view of a skyscraper...
. It was their first and only album to ever chart, peaking #6 on Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
, and #137 on the Billboard 200. Later that year, the released their second EP, Rearrange
Rearrange EP
Rearrange EP is the 1998 promotional EP released by God Lives Underwater and is their second EP album.-Track listing:# "Rearrange - Example 1" – 7:22# "From Your Mouth - Chris Vrenna Remix" – 4:28# "Hush That Noise" – 3:07...
. In 2004, God Lives Underwater released their last album, Up Off The Floor
Up Off The Floor
Up Off The Floor is the 2004 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their third full length album. The album was originally recorded in 2000 but due to drug problems within the band and their record label going bankrupt the album was shelved until Megaforce Records picked it up...
. David later re-united with drummer Adam Kary in Philadelphia and created Fluzee. The two wrote and recorded a 7 track CD entitled "Seven" Recorded in Kary's Philadelphia house, it was sold in limited edition online. They put together a live band to play a few shows in Philadelphia. David on guitar and vocals, Adam on guitar and backing vocal, Melissa Zahnweh on bass and Pat Haslup on drums.
One year later, lead singer David Reilly died in his sleep, after the band's breakup.
History
Supposedly, the name "God Lives Underwater" was derived from Jeff Turzo's previous band GLU, from which David Reilly used the initials as a backronymBackronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
to form the band's name. Stated influences of the band's sound include Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, The Psychedelic Furs, and Spiritualized
Spiritualized
Spiritualized are an English space rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce after the demise of his previous outfit, space-rockers Spacemen 3...
. Reilly disparaged uses of "electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
" in reference to the band in 1998, suggesting that "techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
" would be more appropriate, but ultimately saying that he would prefer the label "pop band".
God Lives Underwater was the first EP released by God Lives Underwater in 1995 but recorded in 1993. "No More Love
No More Love
"No More Love" is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their self titled EP album God Lives Underwater in 1995, resulting in significant airplay...
" was also released on the band's first album Empty
Empty (God Lives Underwater album)
Empty is God Lives Underwater's first full length album, released in October 1995 via American Recordings. Several songs from this album have featured in movies: "Tortoise" was used in the movie National Lampoon's Senior Trip, "No More Love" was used in Johnny Mnemonic, and "Weight"—an outtake...
. The song "Drag Me Down" was featured in the movie The Doom Generation and the song "No More Love" was featured in the movie Johnny Mnemonic. The EP consists of 6 tracks.
Empty is God Lives Underwater's first full length album, released in October 1995 via American Recordings. Several songs have been featured from this album for movies; "Tortoise" was used in the movie National Lampoon's Senior Trip, "No More Love" was used in Johnny Mnemonic, and "Weight"—an outtake from Empty—was featured in Mortal Kombat: More Kombat. The album consists of 11 tracks (5 on re-release).
Life in the So-Called Space Age is the 1998 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their second full length album. The title comes from the cover of the Depeche Mode album Black Celebration, where it appears in quotes on the back, while the front cover features a distorted view of a skyscraper. The song "From Your Mouth" appeared in the 2000 movie Gossip. The album consists of 11 tracks. It topped number 137 on the U.S. Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
in April 1998, which it maintained being on the chart for two weeks. "Medicated to the one I Love", the last track on the album, lasts up to 32:24, making it a significantly long song, and the bands longest song ever released. Allmusic gave the album four stars. Rearrange EP is the 1998 promotional EP released by God Lives Underwater and is their second EP album. The EP consists of 5 tracks. Their 1998 single "From Your Mouth
From Your Mouth
"From Your Mouth" is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their album Life in the So-Called Space Age in 1998, resulting in significant airplay...
" peaked at number seven-teen on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart, supported by an unusual music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
directed by Roman Coppola
Roman Coppola
Roman Coppola is an American film director and music video director.-Early life:Coppola was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, the son of set decorator/artist Eleanor Coppola and Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola was born in the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine while his father was in Paris...
, featuring champion hot-dog eater Hirofumi Nakajima removing vast quantities of food 'from his mouth'. The video footage is actually a single take played in reverse, which was achieved after five other takes (each of which required Nakajima to stuff his face).
Contractual entanglements and a label bankruptcy postponed the release of their follow-up album Up Off The Floor
Up Off The Floor
Up Off The Floor is the 2004 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their third full length album. The album was originally recorded in 2000 but due to drug problems within the band and their record label going bankrupt the album was shelved until Megaforce Records picked it up...
, and was finally released in 2004 on an independent label, but by that time, the core members of God Lives Underwater had split up and moved on to other projects. Up Off the Floor caused numerous complaints amongst fans about the quality of the album's mastering, as well as complaints that two of the more well-known songs from the album's sessions ("Choir Boy" and "Fame") were removed and not included in the official release for undisclosed reasons. The album was, however, released to somewhat modest success, with the song "1% (The Long Way Down)" featured in the movie 15 Minutes. The album consists of 10 tracks and is the last album by God Lives Underwater.
Jeff Turzo
Jeff Turzo
Jeff Turzo, as singer/programming and songwriting/production partner in the electro-rock band God Lives Underwater , spent the better part of the 1990s as a producer and touring artist, first signed by Rick Rubin to American Recordings in 1993....
started Wired All Wrong
Wired All Wrong
Wired All Wrong is an electronic rock band formed by musician/producers Matt Mahaffey of Self and Jeff Turzo previously of God Lives Underwater. The two have been longtime friends since a mix-up of their bands on MTV. Partly due to the unfortunate deaths of David Reilly from GLU and Mike Mahaffey...
with Matt Mahaffey
Matt Mahaffey
Matt Mahaffey is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and recording engineer best known for his band Self.-Personal:Matt grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee and was involved with music from a young age...
while David Reilly pursued a solo career. Band member David Reilly died in his sleep on the morning of October 16, 2005 from complications of a coma brought on by bleeding, as a result of tooth infection. He was 34 years old. A book about David Reilly was released on 10/16/07 titled "Dreams Are Unfinished Thoughts" by Brian Paone, longtime friend of David and the band with all proceeds from the book going to David's nephew.
Influences and style
The band's main influences include Depeche ModeDepeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, Cabaret Voltaire
Cabaret Voltaire (band)
Cabaret Voltaire were a British music group from Sheffield, England.Initially composed of Stephen Mallinder, Richard H. Kirk and Chris Watson, the group was named after the Cabaret Voltaire, a nightclub in Zürich, Switzerland that was a centre for the early Dada movement.Their earliest performances...
, KMFDM
KMFDM
KMFDM is an industrial band led by German multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko, who founded the group in 1984 as a performance art project...
, and Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
. The band performs in a gloomy, aggressive, and yearning mood. They are considered to have the styles of: heavy metal alternative, Indie Rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
, Industrial Metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
, etc.
Band members
- David ReillyDavid ReillyDavid Reilly , was the singer and songwriting/production partner in the electro-rock band God Lives Underwater , signed by Rick Rubin to American Recordings in 1993.-Life and career:...
- Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards/Programming - Jeff TurzoJeff TurzoJeff Turzo, as singer/programming and songwriting/production partner in the electro-rock band God Lives Underwater , spent the better part of the 1990s as a producer and touring artist, first signed by Rick Rubin to American Recordings in 1993....
- Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards/Programming - Andrew McGeeAndrew McGeeAndrew McGee is the former guitarist for God Lives Underwater. He currently plays guitar in Wired All Wrong.- References :...
- Guitar - Scott Garrett - Drums
- Adam Kary - Drums
Albums
- 1995 – God Lives Underwater EP – Onion/REP, imprint of Rick Rubin's American Recordings
- 1995 – EmptyEmpty (God Lives Underwater album)Empty is God Lives Underwater's first full length album, released in October 1995 via American Recordings. Several songs from this album have featured in movies: "Tortoise" was used in the movie National Lampoon's Senior Trip, "No More Love" was used in Johnny Mnemonic, and "Weight"—an outtake...
– American Recordings - 1998 – Life in the So-Called Space AgeLife in the So-Called Space AgeLife in the So-Called Space Age is the 1998 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their second full length album. The title comes from the cover of the Depeche Mode album Black Celebration, where it appears in quotes on the back, while the front cover features a distorted view of a skyscraper...
– 1500/A&MA&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:... - 1998 – Rearrange EPRearrange EPRearrange EP is the 1998 promotional EP released by God Lives Underwater and is their second EP album.-Track listing:# "Rearrange - Example 1" – 7:22# "From Your Mouth - Chris Vrenna Remix" – 4:28# "Hush That Noise" – 3:07...
– A&MA&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:... - 2004 – Up Off The FloorUp Off The FloorUp Off The Floor is the 2004 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their third full length album. The album was originally recorded in 2000 but due to drug problems within the band and their record label going bankrupt the album was shelved until Megaforce Records picked it up...
– Locomotive MusicLocomotive MusicLocomotive Music or Locomotive Records is an independent record label based in Spain.-Selected artists:* A.O.K.* Adagio* AlogiA* Anthenora* Anubis Gate* Astral Doors* Barón Rojo* Before the Dawn* Benedictum* Blood Stain Child* Crystallion...
Singles
- 1994 - "No More LoveNo More Love"No More Love" is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their self titled EP album God Lives Underwater in 1995, resulting in significant airplay...
" - 1995 - "All WrongAll Wrong"All Wrong" is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their album Empty in 1995, resulting in significant airplay. An acoustic version appears on the WAAF compilation CD "Unusual Suspects: WAAF Exclusive Live Studio Recordings".-Music video:Clark Eddy directed the...
" - 1996 - "Don't Know How To BeDon't Know How To Be"Don't Know How to Be" is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their album Empty in 1995, resulting in significant airplay. The song was eventually remixed for the compilation CD DREgional Volume 1 for WDRE .-Music video:Clark Eddy directed the music video...
" - 1998 - "RearrangeRearrange"Rearrange" is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their album Life in the So-Called Space Age in 1998, resulting in significant airplay.-Track listing:# Rearrange # Rearrange - Example 1...
" - 1998 - "From Your MouthFrom Your Mouth"From Your Mouth" is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their album Life in the So-Called Space Age in 1998, resulting in significant airplay...
" - 2001 - "FameFame (David Bowie song)"Fame" is a song recorded by David Bowie, initially released in 1975. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of September 20, 1975.-Song development:...
" - 2004 - "Tricked (That's the Way I Like It)Tricked (That's the Way I Like It)"Tricked " is a song by the band God Lives Underwater. It was originally released on their album Up Off The Floor in 2004, resulting in significant airplay....
"
Music videos
- 1994 - "No More Love"
- 1995 - "All Wrong"
- 1996 - "Don't Know How To Be"
- 1998 - "From Your Mouth"
- 2001 - "Fame"
Side projects
- Heavy
- Robot Teen America
- Fluzee
- David Reilly
- Pop's Cool Love
- Wired All WrongWired All WrongWired All Wrong is an electronic rock band formed by musician/producers Matt Mahaffey of Self and Jeff Turzo previously of God Lives Underwater. The two have been longtime friends since a mix-up of their bands on MTV. Partly due to the unfortunate deaths of David Reilly from GLU and Mike Mahaffey...
- Mass HystereoMass HystereoMass Hystereo was the first EP released by Jeff Turzo of God Lives Underwater as a side project in 1997.-Track listing:# "Multitrack Mother" – 4:57# "Acid" – 4:59# "1, 2, 3, GO!" – 5:46# "Warm Up" – 8:55-Music video:...
- Puma Libre