Dessau (band)

Dessau

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1983
Founder	John Elliott
Defunct	2000
Headquarters	Nashville, Tennessee , United States
Products	Music albums, EPs, singles

Dessau was an American industrial rock group originating from Nashville, Tennessee, established by musician John Elliott. The ensemble was known for its frequently changing members and produced two studio albums: Exercise in Tension released in 1989 under Carlyle Records, and the self-titled Dessau issued in 1995 through Mausoleum.

History

Formed in 1983 by composer John Elliott, Dessau independently released their initial EP titled Red Languages in 1985. The subsequent year brought out Happy Mood, which included the track "First Year" from their first EP. In 1988, the band put out a 12" single featuring a cover of Joy Division's "Isolation," with production handled by Paul Barker (Revolting Cocks) and Al Jourgensen (Ministry). Their first full-length album, Exercise in Tension, was launched in 1989 via Carlyle Records.

In 1995, Dessau issued the EP Details Sketchy, marking the fastest-selling release for Fifth Colvmn Records. That same year featured an extended remix of "Suffer" included on the compilation Fascist Communist Revolutionaries, alongside their sophomore studio album, Dessau, released on Mausoleum.

The band also contributed a rendition of Paul Dresser's "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" to Fifth Colvmn's compilation World War Underground in 1996 and later appeared on the 1998 compilation Coolidge 50. In 1999, Dessau recorded a cover of Ministry's "Revenge" for the tribute album Another Prick in the Wall - A Tribute to Ministry - Volume 2, distributed by Invisible Records.

A compilation entitled The Truth Hurts 1985-2000, released through Bandcamp in 2009, compiled fresh recordings, live tracks, and selections from their early EP releases.

Discography

Studio albums

• Exercise in Tension (1989, Carlyle)
• Dessau (1995, Mausoleum)

Extended plays

• Red Languages (1985)
• Happy Mood (1986, Faction)
• Details Sketchy (1995, Fifth Colvmn)

Singles

• Isolation (1988, Carlyle)
• Mad Hog (1988, Carlyle)
• Beijing/Europe Light (Remix) (1988, Carlyle)

Compilation albums

• The Truth Hurts 1985-2000 (2009, WTII)

Compilation appearances

• Music View - Radio's Alternative Talk Show #59 & #60 (1989, Joseph Fox Communications)
• Nashville Rock (What You Haven't Heard...) (1993, Spock)
• C'Est La Silenz Qui Fait La Musique... (1994, Electro Pulse)
• Forced Cranial Removal (1995, Fifth Colvmn)
• Fascist Communist Revolutionaries (1996, Fifth Colvmn)
• CDPRO Vol #13 (June 1996) (1996, EMI Music Canada)
• Sound-Line Vol. 3 (1996, Side-Line)
• World War Underground (1997, Fifth Colvmn)
• Coolidge 50 (1998, Coolidge)
• Down & Dirty (1999, Pet Rock)
• Another Prick in the Wall - A Tribute to Ministry - Volume 2 (1999, Invisible)
• Tributaeminesteriumni - Two CD Tribute Set (2004, Underground, Inc.)
• Return to Elliston Square 1979-1989 (2008, Spat!)
• Resurrection 3 (2009, WTII)
• WTII Records 2014 Free Sampler (2014, Fifth Colvmn)

External links

• Dessau on Bandcamp