45 Grave

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45 Grave
Origin Los Angeles, United States
Years active 1979 - 1985,
1989 - 1991,
2005 - present
Genres Deathrock
Horror punk
Members Dinah Cancer
Paul Cutler
Rob Graves
Don Bolles
Paul Roessler

45 Grave formed in 1979 is an American deathrock group, the band are also regarded by some as horror punk. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer has revived the band in recent times.

Contents

[edit] History

The band was formed in Los Angeles, California during the punk rock movement. The original lineup consisted of Dinah Cancer on vocals, Paul Cutler on guitar, Rob Ritter (also known as Rob Graves) on bass, and Don Bolles (of The Germs) on drums. The band evolved out of a industrial music band called Vox Pop, who recorded two singles and played around the Los Angeles area. Vox Pop contained all of the members of 45 Grave as well as others, such as Jeff Dahl. Vox Pop continued to coexist with 45 Grave until early 1981. The band's name, despite rumors to the contrary, was lifted from a button.

In 1980, 45 Grave recorded their first song included on the LAMFS punk rock compilation album, "Riboflavin Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Poly-Unsaturated Blood". The song is a cover version of the cult favorite originally done by "Don Hinson And The Rigamorticians" on their 1964 album release "Monster Dance Party". Don Hinson at the time was a popular radio personality in Las Vegas, Nevada (and later for 20 years in Los Angeles, California). Mr. Hinson recorded the song in the wake of Bobby "Boris" Pickett's 1962 novelty song hit "Monster Mash" hoping to emulate the latter songs success and have an international hit record. Both "Monster Mash" and the Don Hinson original recording of "Riboflavin Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Poly-Unsaturated Blood" were produced by noted novelty song record producer Gary S. Paxton of Skip & Flip. The 45 Grave recording went on to achieve cult status and is a signature song during the bands live shows.

Early on the band were playing The Consumers songs that Cutler had written, with lyrics changed to fit Cancer's singing style. They then wrote the songs that would be released on their first 7", "Black Cross", and a fast paced punk song called "Party Time".

[edit] Return of the Living Dead

In 1984 a slowed down version of "Party Time" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Return of the Living Dead along with tracks by bands such as TSOL and The Cramps. Another track, "Evil", was featured on MTV. The band then recorded their one studio album to date, "Sleep In Safety" and then in 1985, broke up.

The band reformed in 1989 for a brief tour, which was recorded and released as "Only The Good Die Young". However when Ritter died in 1991, from an accidental drug overdose, the band broke up yet again.

[edit] Reformation

In 2005, to commemorate its 25th anniversary, 45 Grave reformed with a new lineup, Dinah Cancer being the single remaining member from previous incarnations. Dinah Cancer posted on her MySpace blog, "I'm building this to keep the spirit of 45 Grave alive, introduce its magic to new fans, and as a personal commemorative of my best memories being the driving force and front person of 45 Grave. This is a part of my life that indeed changed me forever." One of the touring members involved in this line-up was Rikk Agnew, formerly of Christian Death, a highly influential deathrock/goth band who shared stages with 45 Grave in the early '80s LA punk scene.

[edit] Members

[edit] Current

[edit] Former

[edit] Discography

[edit] Album

  • Sleep In Safety (1983)

[edit] EPs

  • Phantoms (1983)
  • What Is 45 Grave? A Tale Of A Strange Phenomena (1984)

[edit] Singles

  • Black Cross/Wax (1981)
  • Party Time/School's Out (1984)

[edit] Compilations

  • Autopsy (1987)
  • Only The Good Die Young (1989)
  • Debasement Tapes (1993)

[edit] External links

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