Miscellaneous - Profile

  by Alex Halls

published: 16 / 4 / 2006

intro

Leeds band the Dead Pets have long lived in the shadows of punk. With their two albums, 'Revenge of the Village Idiots' and 'Two Little Too Late' now at last officially available after years of obscurity, Alex Halls examines their history

The Dead Pets have long been in the shadows of punk music, spreading word mainly by mouth. The band’s first two albums, 'Revenge of the Village Idiots' and 'Two Little Too Late' were only previously available for purchase at the band’s gigs, there for the fans, and the fans only. The trouble is, whilst this is effective when a band is in its infancy, it just doesn’t have enough of an effect later on. Suffice to say that, without widespread attention, there is little more a band can do to push itself. Therefore, for the first time, label 10 Past 10 Records have got hold of the band’s albums and been given the go ahead to release them. Based in Leeds, the Dead Pets have now accumulated members to the number of seven. Forget the other thirteen that have come and gone along the way. They’re history now. Even if you’ve never heard of the band, it’s likely you’ve seen frontman Sweeney Todd…on the box. Attempting to pass himself off as an orchestral conductor on the Channel 4 show, 'Faking It', his experience, although impressive, failed to quite win the judges into believing he was a professional. To add to his disappointment, but in keeping with the dreams of all reality TV show directors, his girlfriend left him on air…you are starting to recollect his face I’m sure. Relying on a variety of styles in producing their sound, the Dead Pets’ music is brassy and pertinaciously draws on elements of ska to enhance the punk backbone. Add Sweeney Todd’s rasping vocals and it all becomes simply obnoxious. In fact, this is just the way it should be: bold and brash. What’s more, one can tell that it is UK through and through as it has that that honest, natural take on life. This take on life will surely increase the band’s appeal: there’s an excellent spoken intro in 'Cloning Sheltered Religious Doorknockers' which sums this up majestically. The Dead Pets not only sound as if they have a point to make. They play fair and make that point as well. In dealing with real issues such as problems born out of council estates in 'Council Concrete' on 'Too Little Too Late', it is certainly noticeable of the lean towards a sound that is derived from working class desolation. The use of spoken children’s voices to demonstrate society’s failings works well in supporting this. Issues are also confronted in a more jovial manner too through the launch of a t-shirt dedicated to the BBC’s antique-guru David Dickinson which firmly states: ‘Don’t deal crack, deal antiques’. It is this joviality that gives the Dead Pets a fresher appeal. It is not inconceivable that the band, live, offer even more entertainment in the form of onstage antics and a roaring set. You’d not bet against it. It is in their music, however, that one can read many influences. There are glimpses of the Dead Kennedys and The Ramones, two of punk rock’s most formidable forces. 'Revenge of the Village Idiots' also offers a cover of Cocksparrer’s 'We’re Coming Back' and further supports the quality of substance pumped out by these guys. The brass moments build on infectious bass lines to present the Dead Pets’ unique style; it doesn’t get more captivatingly catchy in punk than this. The dual release of 'Revenge of the Village Idiots' and 'Two Little Too Late' will no doubt do wonders for the band, especially given their ability to unite punks both young and old. If these records weren’t already enough, the Dead Pets are currently in the process of recording a new album, due for release later this year. The only question surrounding the forthcoming album release remains with which label will have the honours of distributing (Epitaph or Side One Dummy are rumoured): the material must be pretty damn good, so it is time to find a suitor. Recent tours with the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly will have no doubt increased the appetite for world domination, in that usually light-hearted way of course. With this altered emphasis of increasing the band’s potential audience: there must always come a time when word of mouth alone can no longer suffice. It is time to bring out the big guns and let marketing do its job.

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