Million Dead
Encyclopedia
Million Dead were a hardcore punk
band from London
, UK
, active between 2001 and 2005.
. They were joined by Ben Dawson, who had worked with Dean in a record shop in the city. The band's lineup was completed with the addition of vocalist Frank Turner
, an old bandmate of Dawson's. The name was chosen from a lyric in the song “The Apollo Programme Was a Hoax”, by Swedish
hardcore punk
band Refused
. The first Million Dead demo was recorded in September 2001.
The band's touring career began with support sets for Cave In
, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster
, The Icarus Line
and Alec Empire
. In late 2002, the band signed to Integrity Records
/ Xtra Mile Recordings
, and released their first single, “Smiling At Strangers On Trains”. The video for the single, directed by Adam Mason, proved controversial as it featured scenes of a homeless man urinating through a letterbox, as well as on Dean.
The single received support from John Peel
, Mike Davies, Mary Anne Hobbs
and Steve Lamacq
, helping the band secure a support slot with Pitchshifter
on their farewell tour.
The band entered the studio in April 2003 to record their debut album, A Song To Ruin
, released in September, along with the single “Breaking The Back”. In December 2003, following a tour with Funeral For a Friend
, Million Dead embarked on their first headline tour of the UK in support of the album, supported by Jarcrew
and Minus.
In 2004, guitarist Cameron Dean announced he was leaving the band to get married, and was replaced by Tom Fowler. After a series of festival dates over the summer, the band re-entered the studio to record a new album. Written and recorded in eight weeks, Harmony No Harmony
was released in May 2005, followed by another UK headline tour with Engerica and Days of Worth
, and support dates on Finch
's UK tour.
Million Dead remixed the song 'Pop Idol' by legendary UK Hip Hop artist Blade, providing an instrumental-only arrangement for the rapper, the original song having previously appeared on his earlier record Storms Are Brewing.
In September 2005, it was announced via the band's official website that Million Dead were to call it a day at the conclusion of their September tour, as “irreconcilable differences within the band mean that it would be impossible to continue”. The band played their final concert at Southampton
's Joiners venue
on September 23, 2005.
Since the band's breakup, vocalist Frank Turner
has made a career as a solo folk
/punk
artist. Tom Fowler and Julia Ruzicka played guitar and bass in another band, Quiet Kill (2005–2006) and then Who Owns Death TV (2007–2009), and The Idle Hearts in 2009. while Ben Dawson currently plays drums for Palehorse, Mothlite, Queen of Swords and Armed Response Unit. Ruzicka also currently plays bass with Future Of The Left
, and played bass for Dream Of An Opium Eater and Tricky in their tour in 2010.
In 2011, Turner commented on the band's break-up stating, "I’m very proud of all the music we made in that band. It came to an end. The actual process of that end wasn’t very fun. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now if I hadn’t done Million Dead before. I’m glad it happened. Once the end of Million Dead rolled around, I just didn’t want to be in a band anymore. The last year of Million Dead was just murderous. Four people who want to kill each other, sat in a van driving around Europe...it’s no fun."
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, active between 2001 and 2005.
History
The band was founded in 2000 by Cameron Dean and Julia Ruzicka, after both came to London from AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. They were joined by Ben Dawson, who had worked with Dean in a record shop in the city. The band's lineup was completed with the addition of vocalist Frank Turner
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities...
, an old bandmate of Dawson's. The name was chosen from a lyric in the song “The Apollo Programme Was a Hoax”, by Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band Refused
Refused
Refused was a Swedish hardcore punk band originating from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1991. In total the band released five EPs and three albums, before splitting up in 1998...
. The first Million Dead demo was recorded in September 2001.
The band's touring career began with support sets for Cave In
Cave In
Cave In is an American rock band that formed in 1995, in Methuen, Massachusetts. After several members changes in the late 90's, their lineup solidified with the 1998 release of Until Your Heart Stops through Hydra Head Records. Their early albums were prominent releases in the independent...
, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster were an English rock band from Brighton, England, formed in 1999. They have released three full-length albums, Hörse Of the Dög , The Royal Society and Blood And Fire...
, The Icarus Line
The Icarus Line
The Icarus Line is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California.The Icarus Line was formed out of the ashes of high school punk group Kanker Sores...
and Alec Empire
Alec Empire
Alec Empire is a German musician who is best known as a founding member of the band Atari Teenage Riot. Also a prolific and distinguished solo artist, producer and DJ, he has released well over a hundred albums, EPs and singles and remixed over seventy tracks for various artists including Björk...
. In late 2002, the band signed to Integrity Records
Integrity Records
Integrity Records is an independent record label based in Bedford, England. The label was founded in the early 1990s and specialised in discovering new bands in the rock/indie/punk genres....
/ Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2003 by Charlie Caplowe and they release rock albums and singles...
, and released their first single, “Smiling At Strangers On Trains”. The video for the single, directed by Adam Mason, proved controversial as it featured scenes of a homeless man urinating through a letterbox, as well as on Dean.
The single received support from John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
, Mike Davies, Mary Anne Hobbs
Mary Anne Hobbs
Mary Anne Hobbs is an English DJ and music journalist from Garstang, Lancashire. She launched a new Primetime show on Xfm on 9 July 2011-Early career:...
and Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
, helping the band secure a support slot with Pitchshifter
Pitchshifter (band)
Pitchshifter are a British five-piece electronic-metal band from Nottingham, United Kingdom formed in 1989. The band was started by bassist and vocalist Mark Clayden, lead guitarist and programmer Johnny A...
on their farewell tour.
The band entered the studio in April 2003 to record their debut album, A Song To Ruin
A Song to Ruin
A Song to Ruin is Million Dead's debut full length album, released in 2003 through Xtra Mile Recordings/Integrity Records.-Track listing:*All words and music by Million Dead# "Pornography for Cowards" – 2:01# "Breaking the Back" – 3:12...
, released in September, along with the single “Breaking The Back”. In December 2003, following a tour with Funeral For a Friend
Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh post-hardcore band, from Bridgend. Formed 2001, they have released five studio albums, seven EPs, sixteen singles, one DVD, and one compilation album.-Formation and Early Years:...
, Million Dead embarked on their first headline tour of the UK in support of the album, supported by Jarcrew
Jarcrew
Jarcrew was a five-piece progressive rock band from Ammanford, Wales. They were a relatively well known underground band for approximately five years between 2000 and their early 2005 split...
and Minus.
In 2004, guitarist Cameron Dean announced he was leaving the band to get married, and was replaced by Tom Fowler. After a series of festival dates over the summer, the band re-entered the studio to record a new album. Written and recorded in eight weeks, Harmony No Harmony
Harmony No Harmony
Harmony No Harmony is the second full length album released by British band Million Dead and also their last. It is the first to feature new guitarist Tom Fowler who replaced original guitarist Cameron Dean. Lead singer Frank Turner's mother makes an appearance on the song "To Whom It May Concern"...
was released in May 2005, followed by another UK headline tour with Engerica and Days of Worth
Days of Worth
Days of Worth were a five-piece English rock band. Formed in 2002, they quickly forged their own variation on the UK rock sound of the time, influenced by the likes of Hundred Reasons, Hell Is For Heroes and more obscure bands such as Handsome and the Boston based outfit Cave In...
, and support dates on Finch
Finch (U.S. band)
Finch was an American rock band from Temecula, California. The band released an EP Falling Into Place and two full-length albums, What It Is to Burn and Say Hello to Sunshine before declaring a hiatus in 2006. Finch reformed in 2007, playing a reunion show on November 23 at the Glasshouse in...
's UK tour.
Million Dead remixed the song 'Pop Idol' by legendary UK Hip Hop artist Blade, providing an instrumental-only arrangement for the rapper, the original song having previously appeared on his earlier record Storms Are Brewing.
In September 2005, it was announced via the band's official website that Million Dead were to call it a day at the conclusion of their September tour, as “irreconcilable differences within the band mean that it would be impossible to continue”. The band played their final concert at Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
's Joiners venue
Joiners Arms
The Joiners Arms is a Public House and small music venue at 141 St Mary's Street, St Mary's, Southampton, England. It has played host to many up-and-coming bands such as Oasis and Coldplay. There are gigs most nights of the week by national acts and local bands. The venue is currently owned by...
on September 23, 2005.
Since the band's breakup, vocalist Frank Turner
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities...
has made a career as a solo folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
/punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
artist. Tom Fowler and Julia Ruzicka played guitar and bass in another band, Quiet Kill (2005–2006) and then Who Owns Death TV (2007–2009), and The Idle Hearts in 2009. while Ben Dawson currently plays drums for Palehorse, Mothlite, Queen of Swords and Armed Response Unit. Ruzicka also currently plays bass with Future Of The Left
Future of the Left
Future of the Left are an alternative rock group based in Cardiff, Wales.- Beginnings :Future of the Left were formed by singer/guitarist Andy "Falco" Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone, both previously of Cardiff band mclusky, alongside singer/bassist Kelson Mathias, formerly of the...
, and played bass for Dream Of An Opium Eater and Tricky in their tour in 2010.
In 2011, Turner commented on the band's break-up stating, "I’m very proud of all the music we made in that band. It came to an end. The actual process of that end wasn’t very fun. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now if I hadn’t done Million Dead before. I’m glad it happened. Once the end of Million Dead rolled around, I just didn’t want to be in a band anymore. The last year of Million Dead was just murderous. Four people who want to kill each other, sat in a van driving around Europe...it’s no fun."
Studio albums
- A Song to RuinA Song to RuinA Song to Ruin is Million Dead's debut full length album, released in 2003 through Xtra Mile Recordings/Integrity Records.-Track listing:*All words and music by Million Dead# "Pornography for Cowards" – 2:01# "Breaking the Back" – 3:12...
- 2003 - Harmony No HarmonyHarmony No HarmonyHarmony No Harmony is the second full length album released by British band Million Dead and also their last. It is the first to feature new guitarist Tom Fowler who replaced original guitarist Cameron Dean. Lead singer Frank Turner's mother makes an appearance on the song "To Whom It May Concern"...
- 2005 - A Song to Ruin Deluxe EditionA Song to RuinA Song to Ruin is Million Dead's debut full length album, released in 2003 through Xtra Mile Recordings/Integrity Records.-Track listing:*All words and music by Million Dead# "Pornography for Cowards" – 2:01# "Breaking the Back" – 3:12...
- 2009
Singles and EPs
- “Million Dead (First Demo)” - September 2001
- “Million Dead (Second Demo)” - June 2002
- “Smiling At Strangers On Trains” - February 2003
- “Breaking The Back” - August 2003
- “I Am The Party” - November 2003
- “I Gave My Eyes To Stevie Wonder” - May 2004
- “Living The Dream” - March 2005
- “After The Rush Hour” - May 2005
- “To Whom It May Concern” - September 2005
Videography
- “Smiling At Strangers On Trains”
- “Breaking The Back”
- “I Am The Party”
- “I Gave My Eyes To Stevie Wonder”
- “Living The Dream”
- “After The Rush Hour”
- “To Whom It May Concern”