Artist description Vintage post-punks from New York City, The Naked and the Dead were cult figures in Gotham's small but fervent mid-1980s goth-punk scene along with bands like Of a Mesh, Chop Shop, and Fahrenheit 451. Mixing pulsing, acrobatic basslines and waves of dark, swirling guitars, with tribal drum tattoos and sirenlike vocals, they constructed complex songs full of unusual time changes. Kinetic rather than somber, their punkish intensity retained the ability to rivet the listener with its moody power. The band reformed in 2002 and performed one reunion show before ending once more...

Music Style post-punk, alternative, death-rock, gothic

Musical Influences Siouxsie & the Banshees, Sex Gang, Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Chameleons, The Stooges, UK Decay, Death Cult, Birthday Party, Alice Cooper, Blondie, Killing Joke, David Bowie, Christian Death, Ritual, Xmal Deutschland

Similar Artists Siouxsie & the Banshees, Sex Gang, Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Xmal Deutschland

Artist History The Naked and the Dead formed in April 1985, when guitarist Greg Fasolino and vocalist Lorianne Oakley (both denizens of the legendary and now-defunct punk club Subway (located in the train station in Rego Park, Queens), joined forces with bass prodigy Christopher Bollman (the three had met one month prior at an Andi Sex Gang gig at the Peppermint Lounge) and first drummer John Grady. The mainly teenage band's lineup was completed that June when drummer David Patti signed on, and the foursome took their name from a then-obscure track by Sex Gang. The Naked and the Dead made their live debut in early August 1985 at Subway, followed by a series of packed gigs at CBGB, highlighted by their unusual compositions ("Kisses Like Death," "Faith Floods Down") and blistering covers of UK Decay's "Duel," Sex Gang's "Sense of Elation," and The Stooges' "Real Cool Time"). On September 15, 1985, the quartet entered Hi Five Studio in Manhattan to record four unique tracks ("Taboo," "Cassandra," "Carousel," and "The Gate") with producers Joe Truck and Andy Trash, garnering airplay on WNYU's "Demolition" and WSJU's "Radio Free Flushing" among others. The band in its original form ceased to exist in December 1985. Bollman went on to form The Children's Zoo in 1986 with vocalist Robert Rowan Conroy (of later Morricone Youth notoriety); Fasolino played in Burning Rome, Rawhead, Goatblood Sacrifice, Pump, Wrench, They Eat Their Gods, Lusting for the Cheetah, Sea of Fur, The Sea Beasts, and The Deno Blues Gang, and worked as a music journalist; Oakley relocated to New Orleans; while Patti drummed for moody goth-rockers The Ochrana in 1987-89. In summer 2000, the original 1985 four-song recording was remastered and restored by Steve (Starclub) French. In a continuing renaissance of dark nostalgia, 2001 witnessed the band's listing on Deathrock.com and the reissue of their 1985 material on an eponymous CD issued on their own Moorleichen Recordings, followed by a multitude of DJs spinning The Naked and the Dead in dark-rock clubs worldwide. After a massive Naked and the Dead interview was featured in the April 2002 edition of StarVox online magazine (and Naked and the Dead classic track "Cassandra" was released on the StarVox CD compilation "Trinity Vol. 1"), three original members Bollman, Fasolino, and Patti officially reformed for the first time since 1985, joined by new Brazilian vocalist Julia Ghoulia (of Sleepless infamy, currently keyboardist of The Brides). New songs such as "Life on Trial" and "Party Time at the Funeral Parlor" quickly developed, and the first and only Naked and the Dead live performance since 1985 took place on December 15, 2002 at Brooklyn's Great Lakes pub. Alas, David Patti's work duties left him unable to continue with the band, and he departed on New Year's Eve 2002, followed a few weeks later by Julia Ghoulia. At this point, The Naked and the Dead again ceased to exist, once more returning to the mists of history. Bassist Christopher Bollman and guitarist Greg Fasolino, joined by Australian drummer Hayden Millsteed, have formed a new project, Bell Hollow, and are in search of a singer.

Group Members Christopher Bollman (bass 1985, 2002); Greg Fasolino (guitar 1985, 2002); David Patti (drums 1985, 2002); Lorianne Oakley (vocals 1985); Julia Ghoulia (vocals 2002); John Grady (drums 1985).

Instruments Guitar, bass, drums

Albums The Naked and the Dead (2001, Moorleichen Recordings)

Press Reviews MORBID OUTLOOK (November 2002): "The Naked and the Dead have all the elements that make this 1985 re-release a must have in every ghouly Goth's collection. They have that sparse and piercing guitar sound that we all love, a tribal drumming style, female vocals and a fantastic production quality all creating that classic Goth vibe." (review by Kysha Hell). *** MICK MERCER (August 22, 2002): "...A genuine case of 1980's treasure trove. Just looking at it is nostalgia nirvana...early 80's Post-Punk, which had more character that mid-late 80's Goth ever would. The band was influenced by Sex Gang, Bauhaus, Iggy, UK Decay, Southern Death Cult and Birthday Party, and the evidence is all there, but as with other talented individuals at the time, they have their own sound emerging from it all...Rapier-thin intensity...You'd have to be crazy to miss out if you appreciate a time when people still were pioneers." (review by Mick Mercer). *** MELTDOWN (July 2002): "The Deathrock Who's Who." *** STARVOX.NET (April 2002): Massive interview with The Naked and the Dead plus CD review. *** THE SANCTUARY (February 20, 2002): "This record is a little jewel that will (more than) appeal to you all Post Punk/Batcave/Death Rock lovers out there!! Get it or DIE!!! Highly Recommended! Score: 5 out of 5 Skulls" (review by Maya). *** STARVOX.NET (February 2002): "The Reanimation of the Deathrock Scene: They're Alive! Old Bands Are New Again" (article by Blu) [http://www.starvox.net/crypt/dr/dr.htm]. *** SOUND CHOICE (Summer 1986): "Post-punk similar to Siouxsie & the Banshees or X-Mal Deutschland. Musicianship is good and they've got the droning guitar and flanged bass sounds down well..." (review by Lawrence Crane). *** FLIPSIDE (Spring 1986): "Overt Siouxsie influences. Recommended for all them Living Dead Zombie Children of Perdition who usually hang out at the Fetish, Seance, TVC15, and Melrose Avenue (review by Katz). *** THE LINDY TRIB (Winter 1985): "Distinctive...a major force!" (article by Lisa Avila)

Additional Info

Location New York, New York - USA

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