Deep Blue Something
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 in Denton, Texas, United States |
| Founder | Todd Pipes, Toby Pipes |
| Headquarters | Denton , United States |
Area served | United States, Japan, Europe |
Key people | Todd Pipes, Toby Pipes, John Kirtland, Clay Bergus, Kirk Tatom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Owner | Members of the band |
Deep Blue Something is a rock group from the United States, best recognized for their 1995 chart-topping single "Breakfast at Tiffany's" featured on their sophomore album Home. The album Home earned a gold certification, yet the band parted ways with Interscope Records and entered a hiatus period. Their subsequent album, Byzantium, was released exclusively in Japan and select European countries. Later, they signed with Aezra Records and in 2001 issued the self-titled album Deep Blue Something before disbanding. The group reunited in 2014 and aligned with drummer John Kirtland's independent label, Kirtland Records.
History
Established in 1991 in Denton, Texas, the band was formed by brothers Todd and Toby Pipes while attending the University of North Texas, alongside drummer John Kirtland and guitarist Clay Bergus. Initially performing under the name Leper Messiah, Bergus exited prior to their debut release 11th Song, which was self-released in 1993. Following this, Kirk Tatom joined the lineup. In 1994, they launched Home through the independent RainMaker Records; Interscope re-released it in 1995. The track "Breakfast at Tiffany's" reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and claimed the top spot on UK charts. Although inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s role in Roman Holiday, the song’s title references Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Despite the commercial success of this single, the band became widely regarded as a One-hit wonder. By late 1995, Tatom departed and Bergus rejoined. Their third studio effort, Byzantium, faced delays caused by legal disputes over copyrights linked to 11th Song and "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Once resolved, Interscope chose to shelve the album to prioritize other acts such as Limp Bizkit. Eventually, it saw release only in Japan in 1998.
Following a legal battle against Interscope, the band secured release from their contract. Subsequently, they signed with Phoenix-based Aezra Records and issued a self-titled album in 2001 that included five tracks originally from Byzantium. Soon after this release, members pursued individual projects for more than ten years.
In 2014, Todd Pipes announced the band's reformation and plans for a new EP titled Locust House, which became available digitally on June 29, 2015.
Other activities of band members
Todd and Toby Pipes have developed careers as producers, working with artists such as Flickerstick, Demp, Calhoun, the Greater Good, Coma Rally, Moonshot Radio, Porter Block, and The Nadas. They received Best Producer accolades from the Fort Worth Weekly for three consecutive years and have been featured in Mix Magazine. The Pipes brothers primarily operate out of Bass Propulsion Laboratories in Dallas—a facility housing three studios that they own.
Todd Pipes (born November 9, 1967) released his solo record Taurus Petals through Authentic Records on November 25, 2008. He followed up with two EPs: Polar Patterns on September 25, 2012, and Mainsail To Skyking on August 3, 2018, both under Idol Records.
Toby Pipes (born June 28, 1971) co-founded The Hundred Inevitables alongside Jeff Whittington; their album Studder was released in early 2000. In 2005, he established Little Black Dress with Nolan Thies; their debut album Snow in June launched in June 2009 as the inaugural release of Exploding Plastic Records—a subsidiary label of Idol Records.
John Kirtland manages Kirtland Records, an independent label operating out of Dallas and Los Angeles. His business portfolio has included ownership of British band Bush’s back catalog as well as royalty rights to certain No Doubt albums. While he sold off No Doubt’s rights, he retained Bush’s catalog until its sale in 2014 to a group that included lead singer Gavin Rossdale. Kirtland Records continues to support Texas-based indie artists like Burden Brothers, The Polyphonic Spree, and Toadies and handled Deep Blue Something's 2015 EP release Locust House.
Clay Bergus has overseen operations at Eddie V's Prime Seafood in Fort Worth since its opening in spring 2009.
Kirk Tatom formed an acoustic duo called Whiskey Pants with fellow Texas musician Greg Beutel.
Personnel
Listed alphabetically
- Clay Bergus – guitar, backing vocals (1991–1992, 1995–2001, 2014–present)
- John Kirtland – drums, percussion (1991–2001, 2014–present)
- Toby Pipes – guitar, backing vocals and occasional lead vocals (1991–2001, 2014–present)
- Todd Pipes – lead vocals and bass (1991–2001, 2014–present)
- Kirk Tatom – guitar, backing vocals (1993–1995, 2014–present)
Studio albums
| Album | Release information | Highest chart rankings | Certifications (sales criteria) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | AUS | AUT | GER | NL | SWE | SWI | UK | |||
| 11th Song |
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| Home |
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46 | 31 | 32 | 16 | 26 | 39 | 20 | 24 |
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| Byzantium |
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| Deep Blue Something |
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| Lunar Phase |
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Extended plays
| Title | Release details |
|---|---|
| Locust House |
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Singles
| Year/Date issued | Track title | Highest chart placements | Certifications earned | Source album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | AUS | AUT | GER | NL | NZ | SWE | SWI | UK | ||||
| 1995 | "Breakfast at Tiffany's" | 5 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 21 | 9 | 19 | 1 |
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Home |
| 1996 | "Halo" |
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Home | |||
| "She Is" |
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Byzantium | ||
| "Page Me Wolverine" |
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Deep Blue Something | ||
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Originally from Byzantium Deep Blue Something | |||
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Deep Blue Something | |||
| "All Make Believe Off" |
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Locust House | ||
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Locust House | |||
| "Hide" |
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| "Don't Stop" |
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| "Cherry Lime Rickey" (re-recorded version, subsequently removed) |
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Non-album single | ||
- Notes
- + The track "Halo" appeared on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart instead of the main US Billboard Hot 100.