Music Style Deathrock to Darkwave

Musical Influences Das Ich, Christian Death, Project Pitchfork, Fields of the Nephilim, and Bauhaus.

Artist History In late 1994, Carmilla’s Dress was formed by two brothers: Jordan (Vocals) and Randall (Bass), in York, PA. They were joined by Jon (Drums), James (Guitar, backing vocals), and Shannon (Keyboards). The early sound was a punkish and raw (that is to say, not very skilled) version of goth. It was in 1995, when Randall and Jordan began college, that Carmilla’s Dress shed some of its members. Both were away from home, and a higher commitment was necessary to keep the vision going. Jon and Shannon were soon no longer with the band, moving on to The MFC and Minstrel, respectively. The stripped-down sound of the remaining trio was complemented by the acquisition of their faithful drum machine. Even though Jon was no longer drumming, his punk influence would affect Carmilla’s Dress for long after his departure. It was in this incarnation that Carmilla’s Dress earned the tag of “skeletal deathrock.” Carmilla’s Dress started playing in clubs mostly in Pittsburgh and York during this time. The next change would occur in 1997. A new member, Joseph, joined. He added keyboards and a much heavier metal guitar sound. He also introduced more complex song dynamics. Shortly after he joined, James moved to pursue other ambitions. It was back to being a trio, but Joseph would leave within a year of this. His interest in his side project, Colder Thy Kiss, would eventually draw him back to his home of New Jersey. It looked like curtains for Carmilla’s Dress. After a period of uncertainty, with Randall pursuing synthpop and Jordan briefly stinting as the singer for Dark Martyr, the spirit of Carmilla’s Dress would emerge, strong as ever. Randall switched to keyboards, while Jordan worked even harder to actually sing. Furthermore, Paul Green, long-time friend, was asked to join and play violin. The new sound was eccentric as ever, with processed vocals, melodic violins, and eclectic darkwave synths. However, all of the current members were college students in their senior year, and not as much was accomplished in that final year as could have been. After one final goodbye show, Carmilla’s Dress ended its six-year career. Live shows were an intense, theatrical blend of S&M and humor that was self-admittedly tasteless. Two demo tapes, one T-shirt design (later stolen by Joseph for use in Colder Thy Kiss), a full-length release, and three compilation appearances were all done on a DIY basis. Never were their principles compromised for promoters, other bands, record labels, ex-band members, or other meddlers.

Group Members 1994-1999 Jordan Decay: Vocals. 1994-1999 Randall: Bass and drum programming, and in 1999: keyboards. 1994-1997 James Shroud: Guitar, backing vocals, and drum programming. 1994-1995 Jon Bohn: Percussion. 1994-1995 Shannon Moyer: Keyboards. 1997-1998 Joseph Petrick: Guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals. 1999 Paul Green: Violin.

Instruments Ibanez and Yamaha guitars and violin; Korg, Zoom, and Boss effects processors; Korg, Yamaha, and Alesis synthesizers; Kawai sequencers; and Peavey, Marshall, and Crate amplifiers.

Albums Self-Titled Demo, "The God Reminder," and "When Angels Die." Compilation appearances on Subversion Compliations Vol 1 and 2, and "Of Passion and Remembrance."

Press Reviews "Creepy, that's about all you can say about Carmilla's Dress...a bastard son of a three-way coupling between Bauhaus, ASF, and Rocky Horror Picture Show on 3 hits of bad JC...with SPOOKY driving beats and instrumentation."--Haven Magazine

Location Pittsburgh, PA - USA

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