Shadow Project
Encyclopedia
Shadow Project were a deathrock
band formed in the early 1990s with Rozz Williams
, Eva O
and Paris Sadonis. The band's (self titled) first album included bassist Jill Emery and drummer Thomas Morgan.
William Faith
and Stevyn Grey joined the line-up for the Dreams For The Dying tour and recording albums. They mixed a blend of different styles ranging from punk to metal to Roxy Music
and David Bowie
.
The band first began in 1987 in San Francisco. The band was named after a study of the effects of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima
.
The most prolific of Rozz Williams
' post-Christian Death
side projects, and Eva O
's post Super Heroines
projects. Shadow Project also most closely resembled the work that made Rozz Williams
and Eva O
Goth icons, though it incorporated bits of punk, glam
, metal and experimental influences to a slightly greater degree.
Centered around Williams and Eva O, Shadow Project grew to share some of the supporting personnel from the alternate version of Christian Death
: Johann Schumann on bass and David Glass on drums, which Williams revived concurrently beginning in the late 1980s.
In 1987, Rozz Williams
married Eva O
of the Super Heroines
, five years after she'd sung backup on the first Christian Death
album. Together they founded Shadow Project. Shadow Project gave its first performance in San Francisco in 1987, but didn't really maintain much of a profile until Williams and Eva O returned to Los Angeles
in 1990.
Once there, they recruited keyboardist Paris Sadonis, bassist Jill Emery
(who'd played with Eva O
. in the Super Heroines
) and drummer Tom Morgan. This lineup completed Shadow Project's self-titled debut album, which was released on Triple X
in 1991. With Peter Tomlinson
replacing Morgan, the group completed a follow-up, Dreams for the Dying, that became their best-known work when it appeared in 1992.
For the tour of these CDs The band's lineup included Paris Sadonis on keyboards, bass guitar- William Faith
, and drummer- Stevyn Grey. For the last and final live line up was keyboards Paris Sadonis, bass guitar Mark Barone and drummer Christian Omar Madrigal Izzo. By 1993, Eva O
had decided to focus on solo material, and Williams was moving on to other projects.
In 1997, they recorded their last CD. It was an acoustic Shadow Project album which also featured guitarist/producer Michael Ciravolo and keyboardist Nathan Van Hala of Saviour Machine
. Sadly, shortly after the test pressing was finished, Rozz Williams hanged himself on April 1, 1998, after which the album appeared on Hollow's Hill under the title From the Heart.
Deathrock
Deathrock is a term used to identify a sub-genre of punk rock incorporating horror elements and spooky atmospherics, that emerged on the West Coast of the United States in 1979.-Characteristics:...
band formed in the early 1990s with Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams was an American vocalist and musician of several varieties, most famous for fronting the band Christian Death, then later Shadow Project with musician Eva O, though his main project throughout his career was the industrial, Premature Ejaculation...
, Eva O
Eva O
Eva Ortiz better known as Eva O is a music artist most notable for her previous works in Christian Death and a band she formed with her then husband Rozz Williams called Shadow Project...
and Paris Sadonis. The band's (self titled) first album included bassist Jill Emery and drummer Thomas Morgan.
William Faith
William Faith
William Faith is a gothic/punk music artist.He is a former member of the gothic bands Rozz Williams' Christian Death, Shadow Project, Mephisto Walz, briefly Sex Gang Children, and goth-punk band Wreckage...
and Stevyn Grey joined the line-up for the Dreams For The Dying tour and recording albums. They mixed a blend of different styles ranging from punk to metal to Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
and David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
.
The band first began in 1987 in San Francisco. The band was named after a study of the effects of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
.
The most prolific of Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams was an American vocalist and musician of several varieties, most famous for fronting the band Christian Death, then later Shadow Project with musician Eva O, though his main project throughout his career was the industrial, Premature Ejaculation...
' post-Christian Death
Christian Death
Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....
side projects, and Eva O
Eva O
Eva Ortiz better known as Eva O is a music artist most notable for her previous works in Christian Death and a band she formed with her then husband Rozz Williams called Shadow Project...
's post Super Heroines
Super Heroines
The Super Heroines was a Deathrock trio formed in Los Angeles, California during the early 1980s. However, unlike other early deathrock bands such as Christian Death and 45 Grave, Sueper Heroines did not carry on a traditional Goth sound, instead a more punk style metal inspired by The Runaways.Its...
projects. Shadow Project also most closely resembled the work that made Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams was an American vocalist and musician of several varieties, most famous for fronting the band Christian Death, then later Shadow Project with musician Eva O, though his main project throughout his career was the industrial, Premature Ejaculation...
and Eva O
Eva O
Eva Ortiz better known as Eva O is a music artist most notable for her previous works in Christian Death and a band she formed with her then husband Rozz Williams called Shadow Project...
Goth icons, though it incorporated bits of punk, glam
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
, metal and experimental influences to a slightly greater degree.
Centered around Williams and Eva O, Shadow Project grew to share some of the supporting personnel from the alternate version of Christian Death
Christian Death
Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....
: Johann Schumann on bass and David Glass on drums, which Williams revived concurrently beginning in the late 1980s.
In 1987, Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams
Rozz Williams was an American vocalist and musician of several varieties, most famous for fronting the band Christian Death, then later Shadow Project with musician Eva O, though his main project throughout his career was the industrial, Premature Ejaculation...
married Eva O
Eva O
Eva Ortiz better known as Eva O is a music artist most notable for her previous works in Christian Death and a band she formed with her then husband Rozz Williams called Shadow Project...
of the Super Heroines
Super Heroines
The Super Heroines was a Deathrock trio formed in Los Angeles, California during the early 1980s. However, unlike other early deathrock bands such as Christian Death and 45 Grave, Sueper Heroines did not carry on a traditional Goth sound, instead a more punk style metal inspired by The Runaways.Its...
, five years after she'd sung backup on the first Christian Death
Christian Death
Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....
album. Together they founded Shadow Project. Shadow Project gave its first performance in San Francisco in 1987, but didn't really maintain much of a profile until Williams and Eva O returned to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1990.
Once there, they recruited keyboardist Paris Sadonis, bassist Jill Emery
Jill Emery
Jill Emery is an American artist and former musician based in Los Angeles, California. Best known as the bassist for the alternative rock band Hole from 1990 until 1992, Emery left the band after the subsequent tour for the band's debut album, Pretty on the Inside and was replaced by Kristen Pfaff...
(who'd played with Eva O
Eva O
Eva Ortiz better known as Eva O is a music artist most notable for her previous works in Christian Death and a band she formed with her then husband Rozz Williams called Shadow Project...
. in the Super Heroines
Super Heroines
The Super Heroines was a Deathrock trio formed in Los Angeles, California during the early 1980s. However, unlike other early deathrock bands such as Christian Death and 45 Grave, Sueper Heroines did not carry on a traditional Goth sound, instead a more punk style metal inspired by The Runaways.Its...
) and drummer Tom Morgan. This lineup completed Shadow Project's self-titled debut album, which was released on Triple X
Triple X Records
Triple X Records is a Los Angeles based record company. They are the label for bands such as Bo Diddley, The Vandals, Jane's Addiction, Social Distortion, Human Drama, Of Cabbages And Kings, Angry Samoans, Bad Manners, Stephen Pearcy, Dr...
in 1991. With Peter Tomlinson
Peter Tomlinson
Peter Tomlinson is a broadcaster and continuity announcer. He created the British children's television series Tiswas and was the programme's co-presenter in its early years....
replacing Morgan, the group completed a follow-up, Dreams for the Dying, that became their best-known work when it appeared in 1992.
For the tour of these CDs The band's lineup included Paris Sadonis on keyboards, bass guitar- William Faith
William Faith
William Faith is a gothic/punk music artist.He is a former member of the gothic bands Rozz Williams' Christian Death, Shadow Project, Mephisto Walz, briefly Sex Gang Children, and goth-punk band Wreckage...
, and drummer- Stevyn Grey. For the last and final live line up was keyboards Paris Sadonis, bass guitar Mark Barone and drummer Christian Omar Madrigal Izzo. By 1993, Eva O
Eva O
Eva Ortiz better known as Eva O is a music artist most notable for her previous works in Christian Death and a band she formed with her then husband Rozz Williams called Shadow Project...
had decided to focus on solo material, and Williams was moving on to other projects.
In 1997, they recorded their last CD. It was an acoustic Shadow Project album which also featured guitarist/producer Michael Ciravolo and keyboardist Nathan Van Hala of Saviour Machine
Saviour Machine
Saviour Machine is an American Christian metal band that formed in 1989. They have released five studio albums and two live albums on Frontline and subsequently on MCM Music, distributed through Massacre Records...
. Sadly, shortly after the test pressing was finished, Rozz Williams hanged himself on April 1, 1998, after which the album appeared on Hollow's Hill under the title From the Heart.
Selected discography
- Helter Skelter Demo (1987)
- Shadow Project (1991)
- Dreams for the Dying (1992)
- In Tuned Out- live '93 (1994)
- From the Heart (1998)
- The Original (2005)