Deadboy & The Elephantmen preview
Deadboy & The Elephantmen
Schubas, Chicago
Saturday, November 10, 2005
Deadboy & The Elephantmen are most recognized by lead man Dax Riggs of former heavyweight metal outfit Acid Bath. Or maybe you recall the short-lived Agents Of Oblivion. Either way, Riggs’ new project Deadboy & The Elephantmen isn’t a predictable move based on his musical resume.
A far cry from Riggs’ days with Acid Bath or Agents Of Oblivion, Deadboy’s Fat Possum debut, We Are Night Sky, is much quieter, but retains the familiar eerie and mysterious themes. With Riggs on guitar/vocals and Tessie Brunet supplying the drums/vocals, the album blends dark rock, acoustic intensity, and waves of psychedelia. Although a duo, Riggs and Brunet often enlist other musicians to round out the ensemble for a fuller sound. You’ll find dabs of piano, euphonium, tuba, and bass sprinkled throughout the dozen tracks. Riggs’ distinct and powerful baritone vocals are accompanied by Burnet’s occasional soft harmonies, providing a welcome balance.
Riggs started Acid Bath with three of his friends in the late ’90s. The band was signed to Rotten Records, sold more than 100,000 copies, and reached cult status. But after the death of bassist Audie Pitre, the band called it quits. Riggs released only one album with his next band, Agents Of Oblivion, before starting Deadboy. He spent four years auditioning various musicians before he found Brunet in 2004. Even though at the time she had been playing drums for only one year, the two meshed and decided to give it a shot.
With an odd band name like Deadboy & The Elephantmen, there has to be a story behind it. And there is, an interesting one at that. It goes back to when Riggs was a religious 10-year-old living with his mother, a Jehovah’s Witness. One unsuspecting night he watched “The Elephant Man” on HBO. After that his views of God changed and he continued to have nightmares about being chased by the elephant man. Riggs says the deadboy inclusion is just him being negative. Thus, Deadboy & The Elephantmen.
The Manners and Deathships open the show, which begins at 10 p.m. It is not part of the Chris Knight performance earlier in the evening.
— Jill Haverkamp
Click here for a Windows Media stream of “Blood Music.”
Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly
what about the real deadboy album “IF THIS IS HELL, THEN I’M LUCKY” ???? the greatest album of all time, of all artists-I can’t believe it was not mentioned, but then again I can’t believe Dax has not sold millions of copies.I know 15 people that want the album but can’t get it. I am broken by the fact that the man was in Chicago, and I was clueless. Probably missed the chance of a lifetime. regret,regret,regret.
will someone please let me know when dax comes back.
i was fortunate enough to see deadboy on consecutive nights in tucson and phoenix. otherworldly. dax has the best voice known to man. period.
daxx riggs is the best singer ever
acid bath formed in ’92-’93, not late 90’s. there’s a type-o on the fat possum bio that says ’98.seen ’em twice in new orleans (deadboy).great shows. would drive another 200 miles to see ’em again.
Dax is measuring up to Kurt Cobain status for me when it comes to a unique voice that I never get tired of. It’s hard for me to find music I enjoy these days…Deadboy is at the top of my list. Come to PA……
Dax definately has the best voice a man has ever or probably will ever have. I only hope more people are lucky enough to hear it and understand his intense lyrics. the world would be a better place if Dax and Tessie were well known. Good luck to them. by the way, everything dax has ever put out is amazing please check out, Acid Bath, and Agents of Oblivion also.
I had the “IF THIS IS HELL, THEN I’M LUCKY†cd back when it first came out. Someone jacked my copy & I am trying like crazy to find another one. Does anybody know where I can buy one?!
DAX YOUR MY HERO
Dax is so great!!! I have been a long time fan and im glad to see him finally getting some recognition. I checked out the show lastnight in mobile,AL and I had the time of my life. keep up the good work deadboy!!!!
Dax should tour Australia.
Dax and Kurt do sound alike. The band rocks! They are going to make it big. Dax needs to talk to the crowd more when we see him, and I wouldn’t mind him seeing him rock out a little more. But the talent is there. The band rocks and Tess is amazing!
fave singer
you should hear his neutral milk hotel cover.
recent NYC shows were brilliant.
Dax If I ever win the lottery im coming to find you… Perhaps you will play in my house for a week for alot of money.
just saw deadboy last night in a small club in saratoga springs, ny. they were amazing live and just really down to earth musicians. its too bad that one of the best bands on the scene was here (playing for free) and there were probably less than 100 people… its too bad to everyone that has no clue is what i mean.
Dax Riggs. Yes, as most of you have said, the best voice in rock today. He has a soft speaking voice but bellows with thunderous power when behind the mic. I’ve followed Dax since the Acid Bath days. deadboy and the elephantmen is by far, the best thing he has done since.
Anything by Dax is sincerely amazing. What would it take to get Dax to visit little Rio Grande Valley, TX?!!!! It’s extremely unfortunate that not many down here know of such talent. Riggs vocals send chills down my spine and can send me to a place of euphoria! Definitely high ranking on my list of faves