Deadguy

Deadguy
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1994
Defunct	1997 (initially)
Fate	Reunited in 2021
Headquarters	New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Products	Music albums, EPs, live recordings

Deadguy is a metalcore group originating from New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the United States. Established in 1994 and disbanded three years later in 1997, the band played an influential part in shaping the mathcore genre. Their first full-length record, Fixation on a Co-Worker, is widely considered a seminal work within the genre and was honored by induction into Decibel magazine's "Hall of Fame" in 2006. Deadguy has served as an inspiration for bands such as the Dillinger Escape Plan, Shai Hulud, and Jeromes Dream.

History

Deadguy came together in 1994, drawing inspiration from acts like Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Unsane, Today Is the Day, Misfits, Voivod, and Slayer. Their name was taken from a quote in the film Only the Lonely, starring John Candy. That same year, they released two 7-inch EPs titled Work Ethic and White Meat. Although not as widely recognized as some contemporaries, their debut album Fixation On A Co-Worker became highly influential within modern hardcore and metal circles, culminating in its inclusion in the Decibel magazine Hall of Fame in 2006.

While touring across the United States to promote Fixation on a Co-Worker, the band encountered difficulties due to inadequate bookings and financial constraints. Midway through their western tour, members Keith Huckins and Tim Singer departed to establish Kiss It Goodbye based in Seattle. The remaining lineup—Tim Naumann, Chris Corvino, and Dave Rosenberg—brought on Tom Yak and Jim Baglino to handle guitar and bass duties. This ensemble recorded the EP Screamin' with the Deadguy Quintet before embarking on a rigorous but successful U.S. tour alongside Bloodlet. After this period, Yak left and was succeeded by Chris Pierce from Doc Hopper. Deadguy concluded their initial run with a final performance in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1997. Subsequently, Pierce operated Technical Ecstasy studio, producing local groups such as The Ergs and utilizing connections from Deadguy to feature guest vocals on The Ergs' album "Dorkrockcorkrod".

2021 reunion

On May 25, 2021, Deadguy revealed plans to reunite the lineup responsible for Fixation on a Co-Worker for a live appearance at the 2021 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest. This marked their first live show in a quarter-century. The performance was later issued in June 2022 under the title Buyer's Remorse: Live from the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest, released by Decibel Records as their inaugural offering.

Near-Death Travel Services (2025–present)

Deadguy announced on April 29, 2025, that they had signed with Relapse Records and would be releasing their sophomore studio album, Near-Death Travel Services, scheduled for June 27, 2025.

Musical style and influences

Characterized by "screaming vocals [...] layered over discordant guitar work," Deadguy's music features introspective lyrics delivered with a dark and brooding atmosphere. Brian Peterson described their sound as an amalgamation of metal, noise rock influences drawn from bands like Today Is the Day and Unsane, experimental punk reminiscent of the Cows, alongside inventive hardcore elements inspired by groups such as Black Flag. The band placed greater emphasis on crafting authentic music aligned with their artistic vision rather than pursuing mainstream appeal.

Their influences encompass Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Unsane, Today Is the Day, Misfits, Voivod, and Slayer. Drummer Dave Rosenburg highlighted their study of heavy music styles and integration of Black Sabbath’s traits into their compositions. Vocalist Tim Singer stressed their objective to rejuvenate hardcore by blending varied musical inspirations while preserving hardcore principles and channels, aiming for an unpredictable sound that avoided formulaic breakdown patterns.

Current lineup

Chris "Crispy" Corvino – guitar, backing vocals (1994–1997, 2021–present)
Dave Rosenberg – drums (1994–1997, 2021–present)
Tim "Swinger" Singer – lead vocals (1994–1996, 2021–present)
Keith Huckins – guitar (1994–1996, 2021–present)
Jim Baglino – bass guitar (1996–1997, 2021–present)

Past members

Tim "Pops" Naumann – lead vocals (1996–1997), bass guitar (1994–1996)
Tom Yak – guitar (1996–1997)
“Big” Chris Pierce – guitar (1997)

Studio releases

Fixation on a Co-Worker (Victory Records, 1995)
Near-Death Travel Services (Relapse Records, 2025)

Live recordings

I Know Your Tragedy: Live at CBGBs (Hawthorne Street Records, 2000)
Buyer's Remorse (Decibel Records, 2022)

EPs and singles

White Meat 7" (Dada/Popgun Records, 1994)
Work Ethic 7" (Engine/Blackout Records, 1994) (CD version including White Meat tracks, 1995)
Screamin' with the Deadguy Quintet (Victory Records, 1996)
Body Parts 7" (Man Alive Records, 2022)

Additional releases

Driving You Straight To Hell Bootleg (SuperNova Records, 2021)

Documentary

In 2021, the officially sanctioned documentary Deadguy: Killing Music, directed by William Saunders and produced by Nathaniel Shannon of Fourth Media, detailed the band's short-lived career along with their seminal album Fixation on a Co-Worker. The film screened at several festivals and secured the Documentary award at the 2021 Vesuvius International Film Festival. This project prompted the original members to reunite for live shows after more than two decades, including a performance recorded at Brooklyn’s Saint Vitus venue that was later released on streaming platforms and blu-ray. Shawn Macomber from Decibel lauded it as "one of the finest documentaries ever made about extreme music and its creators," emphasizing its combination of aesthetic flair and unfiltered energy.

External links

Deadguy at Discogs
Deadguy on Encyclopaedia Metallum