45 Grave

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45 Grave
Dinah Cancer and 45 Grave at Blue Cafe, Long Beach, CA
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Deathrock, Horror punk
Years active	1979–1985 1989–1991 2005–present
Members
Dinah Cancer Lisa Pifer L Ron Jeremy Kenton Holmes Mike "Thrashead" Sullivan Stevyn Grey
Former members
Paul Cutler Rob Graves Don Bolles Paul Roessler

45 Grave, (also known as .45 Grave) is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as progenitors of the horror punk subgenre.

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 of The Bags) on bass, and Don Bolles (of The Germs) on drums. The band evolved out of an industrial music band called Vox Pop, who recorded two singles and played around the Los Angeles area, specifically in the punk institution the Masque. 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, "Riboflavin Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Poly-Unsaturated Blood", included on the LAFMS (Los Angeles Free Music Society) art rock compilation album, "Darker Skratcher". 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 song's 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. 45 Grave members appeared as extras in Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott.

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", which featured Pat Smear of The Germs on guitar, and a fast paced punk song called "Party Time".

Despite never achieving major success, 45 Grave are recognised as being one of the first American Gothic bands, pre-dating the formation of Christian Death. Allmusic guide cites them as a top artist in the Goth rock genre.

Style

45 Grave's musical style is punk rock with a darker edge/horror movie aesthetic, and hence is representative of the genre deathrock/horror-punk. Keyboards are used to create an electric organ sound which adds to the 'spooky' atmosphere of many songs. High-pitched female vocals are usually used but the whole band provide backing vocals and occasionally lead vocals. The band also has a connection to surf rock which manifests in their album "Sleep in Safety" as the instrumental "Surf Bat". In the vein of horror punk artists, the band's appearance draws from horror films, in particular Italian zombie flicks, to create a camp, gothic aesthetic. However, the band's lyrical themes don't often draw inspiration from horror films, instead adopting a tongue-in-cheek manner.

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 1990, from an accidental drug overdose, the band broke up yet again.

Reformation

In 2004, 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.

Members of 45 Grave

Current

• Dinah Cancer- Vocals (1979-1990, 2004- present)
• Lisa Pifer - bass (2004- present)
• L Ron Jeremy - lead Guitar (2006 - present)
• Kenton Holmes - rhythm Guitar (2006 - present )
• Tom Coyne - Drums - (2008 - present)
• Ames Evil - Guitar (2006 - present )

Former

• Paul Cutler - guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (1979-1990)
• Paul Roessler - keyboards, backing vocals (1980-1990)
• Rob Graves - bass, backing vocals (1979-1990)
• Don Bolles - drums, backing vocals (1979-1990)
• Mikey Borens - guitar (1983-1984)
• Mike "Thrashead" Sullivan - drums (2005- 2007)
• Stevyn Grey - drums (2007- 2008)
• Del Hopkins- drums keys 80' -86'on and off

Discography

Album

• Sleep In Safety (1983) (re-released in 1993 on CD)

EPs

• Phantoms (containing new and alternative versions of tracks) (1983)
• What Is 45 Grave? A Tale Of A Strange Phenomena (1984)

Singles

• "Black Cross" (1981)
• "Partytime" (1984)

Compilations

• Darker Skratcher (Various artists compilation) (1980)
• Hell Comes to Your House (Various artists compilation containing alternative versions of some tracks) (1981)
• The Return of the Living Dead (Various artists compilation) (1984)
• Autopsy (Compilation of new tracks and alternative versions of old tracks with tracks from the "Black Cross" single) (1987)
• Only The Good Die Young (Live) (1989) (reissued in 1993)
• Debasement Tapes (Demos) (1993)
• A Devil's Possessions (Demos and live) (2008)

See also

• Deathrock
• Christian Death

External links

• Dinah Cancer's website
• 45 Grave interview from Flipside #22, 1980 at Punk Zine Archive
• 45 Grave article from Flipside #30, 1982 at Punk Zine Archive
• 45 Grave article from Flipside #51, 1986 at Punk Zine Archive