Dead!
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2012 in Southampton, England |
| Founder | Alex Mountford, Sam Chappell, Louis Matlock, Sam Matlock |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Dead!, occasionally presented as DEAD!, was a hard rock ensemble originating from Southampton in 2012, founded by Alex Mountford, Sam Chappell, along with siblings Louis and Sam Matlock. The Matlock brothers are the offspring of Glen Matlock, known for his role as bassist in the Sex Pistols. By June 2016, the group had moved their base to London. Their 2018 release, The Golden Age of Not Even Trying, achieved a peak position of No. 11 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart and was met with mostly favorable critiques prior to their dissolution later that year.
History
The inception of Dead! took place in 2012 while its members were attending Southampton Solent University, with their first live show occurring that same year. In 2014, they successfully crowdfunded and launched the EP Tu Me Manques. After signing with Infectious Music in May 2016, the band relocated to London and issued a music video for "You're so Cheap," which dealt with themes of adolescent frustration. By September, they adopted a self-reliant strategy by producing their own zines and merchandise under the banner "The Damned Restless Future." That month also saw the release of "Something More Original," a track contemplating youthful indifference, followed by supporting tours alongside Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes.
In 2017, the band released singles "Enough, Enough, Enough" and "Up for Ran$om" ahead of unveiling their album The Golden Age of Not Even Trying. Launched on 26 January 2018, this album featured live-recorded songs that fused rock, punk, and indie styles. It reached No. 11 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart and received largely positive feedback from various critics, though some reviews were mixed.
Dead! announced their breakup in June 2018, concluding with a final show in October. Following the split, Sam Matlock went on to create Wargasm alongside former band photographer Milkie Way. Critics have characterized Dead! as a hard rock outfit incorporating elements of pop-punk and grunge, with lyrical themes frequently revolving around partying and youth culture.
Albums
EPs
- Tu Me Manques (2014)
Singles
- "Beautiful Broken Bones" (2013)
- "Phantom" (2014)
- "Enemy" (2015)
- "Skin" (2015)
- "Something More Original" (2016)
- "Enough, Enough, Enough" (2017)
- "Up for Ran$om" (2017)
- "The Golden Age of Not Even Trying" (2017)
- "Any Port" (2017)
- "The Boys † The Boys" (2018)
- "You're so Cheap" (2018)
Nominations
Heavy Music Awards
! |- | 2017 || Dead! || Best Breakthrough Band || ||