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| Jesse F. Keeler and Sebastien Grainger of Death From Above 1979 |
Canada's coolest duo Death From Above 1979 debuted already in 2004 with the album You're A Woman, I'm A Machine, then went on a decade long hiatus until resurfacing in 2014 with the comeback album The Physical World. Since then, they've had a more reliable presence with albums cycles of 3-4 years, and recently released a new album called Is 4 Lovers. They also have their music featured in several racing games, such as the song Freeze Me that can be heard in the mobile game Asphalt 9: Legends. Scroll down to the bottom for the music video to that song.
Things are certainly looking good for the Toronto duo, and hopefully, they're here to stay at this point.
Drum & Bass Innovators
DFA1979 like to work around limitations and they really know how to think outside the box. Not only are they just two people, but they also limit themselves even more with just bass as the main source of melody, similar to the more recent UK duo Royal Blood. They further distinguish themselves with the drummer being the singer, so both members share the limelight equally on stage.
The Sound
As mentioned, Death From Above 1979 relies almost entirely on drums and distorted bass guitar. While the brits in Royal Blood offer a more classic blend of hard rock and blues, DFA1979 are a bit more raw and edgy and has a more abrasive and distorted sound overall.
For the most part, DFA1979 stick to the formula of simple but infectious riffs, coupled with a boatload of raw energy and utter chaos. I would say it has some similarities with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs raw debut Fever To Tell in that regard, but of course with bass rather than guitar. Some like to label DFA1979 as dance-punk, but considering the tempo a lot of their songs have, I'd say "try and dance to this, punk!" as I turn on the debut album.
Occasionally DFA1979 also sweeten things up a bit with synthesizers, also played by bassist Jesse F. Keeler. Some songs on the new album have it, for instance (more on that later).
Getting Guitar Type Sounds On Bass
Bassist Jesse F. Keeler uses some other interesting gear. His bass tone is typically more towards that of a guitar and there are some tricks behind it. Keeler uses both an EQ pedal to raise the midrange and lower treble. Additionally, instead of regular bass cabinets that are typically designed to provide low end first and foremost, he uses PA speakers that also gives more midrange to the sound. This of course also helps to fill the void that the omission of a standard guitar leaves. He also has an Electro-Harmonix Micro POG octave pedal to elevate to some higher notes but he actually rarely use it. Instead, Keeler simply plays a lot of the songs high up on the neck itself, as it sounds more natural than the modulated tone of the pedal.
Jesse Keeler shows his bass/synth rig for Premiere Guitar.
The New Album "Is 4 Lovers"
The new album has churned out two singles so far. In true DFA fashion, the first single One + One has a simple and effective riff with a buzzy bass tone that easily gets stuck in your head. The second single Free Animal is a tad louder and noisier and perhaps a bit closer to the older sound of the debut. N.Y.C. Power Elite Pt. II and Totally Wiped are also two of the noisier numbers that would probably appeal to fans of the first record.
"One + One" video
From the new album Is For Lovers
(Check out Keeler's epic Dave Grohl impersonation at 2:30!)
It's not all in-your-face abrasive and loud, though. The synth-laden Glass Homes sees the band go on a neo-classical 80s ride, while the soft Love Letter that follows, mixes a piano with a heavy drum beat. The opening track Modern Guy blends the styles, offering heavy rock with a slick bass lick that sounds like a synthesizer. The ambitious closing track No War almost sounds like something Muse could have made.
Overall it's quite a versatile record that would probably satisfy old fans and new listeners alike (such as myself).
For new listeners looking for a more traditional rock sound, the two previous records The Physical World and Outrage! Is Now are also good starting points. They're both more midtempo and dials back the abrasive sound for a warmer, more slick rock production.
Releases
So far, Death From Above has made four studio albums and one live record.
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| Is 4 Lovers (2021) US | UK | DE/EU |
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| Outrage! Is Now (2017) US | UK | DE/EU |
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| Live at Third Man (2016) US | UK | DE/EU |
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| The Physical World (2014) US | UK | DE/EU |
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| You're a Woman, I'm a Machine (2004) US | UK | DE/EU |
Videos
Freeze Me
From the 2017 album Outrage Is Now
Trainwreck 1979
From the 2014 album Physical World
Romantic Rights
From the 2004 album, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
Max Weinberg is killing it at the end!
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