Labels

Death in Vegas

Richard Fearless

Richard Fearless

Production, Synths

G Hastings

Tim Holmes

Production, Engineering ('99 - '09)

Steve Hellier

Steve Hellier

Production ('95 - '97)


Formed: 1994
Location: London, England
Genre: Neo-Psychedelia, Alternative Rock, Techno
Years Active: 1996 -
Meaning of the Name: Originally known as Dead Elvis, but were mistaken for an Elvis tribute band. Elvis' residency in Vegas contributed significanty to his declining health and death.
A.K.A.: Dead Elvis
Primary Songwriter: Richard Fearless
Labels: Concrete, Drone, Portobello

Essential Releases

Death in Vegas - Dubplate #1 EP

Dubplate #1 EP (1997)

A raw and influential collection of early dub/breakbeat tracks.

Death in Vegas - The Contino Sessions

The Contino
Sessions (1999)

A critically acclaimed, dark and atmospheric electronic album featuring notable guest vocalists.

Death in Vegas - Scorpio Rising

Scorpio Rising (2002)

Blending rock, psychedelia, and electronica.


Technological advances have charted the course of human progress in various fields throughout history. Music is one of them. In the late '90s, early 2000s, the London-based Death in Vegas harnessed the power of digital to break free from the tired restraints of genre that had shackled too many bands for too long.

They rode the crest of popular trends, like a surfer hopping between waves, to create a varied discography that includes big beat, techno, alternative rock, psychedelia, and dub. Their first album Dead Elvis (1997) heralded their coming with a provocative title that seemed to declare: The music of the past is dead. The future is now.

The record itself oscillated between dance styles as disparate as breakbeat, big beat, and ambient dub. It was darkly atmospheric and beat-driven, a combination the pair would later perfect on their 1999 classic 'Aisha', which features a deranged killer, voiced by Iggy Pop, narrating his thoughts as he chases a victim to her unfortunate demise.

Marking a significant shift, The Contino Sessions (1999) was the group's commercial and creative peak. The band cast aside their usual dance-oriented styles with a rebellious spirit and waded headfirst into the waters of rock. The resulting work was a pulsating album featuring a guest list of top notch vocalists including Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and The Jesus and Mary Chain's Jim Reid.


Skills

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? Does it make you feel something? Do you laugh, cry, fall in love, get angry?
65

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
70

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
60

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
55

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
35

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
70

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
85

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
75

Textures

i Technical attributes.
85

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
85

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
85

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lower the value.
70

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
80

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
100

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
65

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint.
45

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards >>>

  • Mercury Prize Nominee 2000 - The Contino Sessions

Certifications >>>

  • Dead Elvis - Silver in the UK
  • The Contino Sessions - Gold in the UK
  • Scorpio Rising - Silver in the UK

Charts

Critics



Criticism

  • Death in Vegas made consistently good music across a variety of genres, but never truly defined a sound that was uniquely their own. It's a minor criticism, but it separates the very good bands from the truly great.
  • The band are often accused of chasing the current trend instead of setting one for themselves.


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