Dead Can Dance Biography
Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> combinestrong><strong> elementsstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> Europeanstrong><strong> folkstrong><strong> musicstrong><strong> -strong> particularly<strong> musicstrong><strong> fromstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Middlestrong><strong> Agesstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Renaissancestrong><strong> -strong> with<strong> ambientstrong><strong> popstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> worldbeatstrong><strong> flourishesstrong>. <strong>Theirstrong><strong> songsstrong><strong> arestrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> loststrong><strong> beautystrong>, <strong>regretstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> sorrowstrong>, inspiration<strong> andstrong><strong> nobilitystrong>, <strong>andstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> everlastingstrong><strong> humanstrong><strong> goalstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> attainingstrong><strong> astrong><strong> meaningfulstrong><strong> existencestrong>.<strong>Overstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> coursestrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> careerstrong>, Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> hasstrong><strong> featuredstrong><strong> astrong><strong> multitudestrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> membersstrong>, <strong>butstrong><strong> twostrong><strong> musiciansstrong><strong> havestrong><strong> remainedstrong><strong> atstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> corestrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> bandstrong><strong> -strong> guitarist<strong> Brendanstrong><strong> Perrystrong><strong> andstrong><strong> vocaliststrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>Lisastrong><strong> Gerrardstrong>strong>strong>strong>. Perry<strong> hadstrong><strong> previouslystrong><strong> beenstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> leadstrong><strong> vocaliststrong><strong> andstrong><strong> bassiststrong><strong> forstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Australian-basedstrong><strong> punkstrong><strong> bandstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Scavengersstrong>, <strong>astrong><strong> groupstrong><strong> whostrong><strong> werestrong><strong> neverstrong><strong> ablestrong><strong> tostrong><strong> landstrong><strong> astrong><strong> recordingstrong><strong> contractstrong>. In<strong> 1979strong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> bandstrong><strong> changedstrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> namestrong><strong> tostrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Marchingstrong><strong> Girlsstrong>, <strong>butstrong><strong> theystrong><strong> stillstrong><strong> weren'tstrong><strong> ablestrong><strong> tostrong><strong> signstrong><strong> astrong><strong> contractstrong>. <strong>Thestrong><strong> followingstrong><strong> yearstrong>, Perry<strong> leftstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> groupstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> beganstrong><strong> experimentingstrong><strong> withstrong><strong> electronicstrong><strong> musicstrong>, particularly<strong> tapestrong><strong> loopsstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> rhythmsstrong>. In<strong> 1981strong>, Perry<strong> formedstrong><strong> Deadstrong><strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> withstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>Lisastrong><strong> Gerrardstrong>strong>strong>strong>, Paul<strong> Eriksonstrong>, <strong>andstrong><strong> Simonstrong><strong> Monroestrong>. <strong>Bystrong><strong> 1982strong>, Perry<strong> andstrong><strong> Gerrardstrong><strong> decidedstrong><strong> tostrong><strong> relocatestrong><strong> tostrong><strong> Londonstrong>; Erikson<strong> andstrong><strong> Monroestrong><strong> decidedstrong><strong> tostrong><strong> staystrong><strong> instrong><strong> Australiastrong>.
Within<strong> astrong><strong> yearstrong>, Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> hadstrong><strong> signedstrong><strong> astrong><strong> recordstrong><strong> dealstrong><strong> withstrong><strong> 4ADstrong>. In<strong> thestrong><strong> springstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> 1984strong>, <strong>theystrong><strong> releasedstrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> eponymousstrong><strong> debutstrong><strong> albumstrong>, <strong>comprisedstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> songsstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> pairstrong><strong> hadstrong><strong> writtenstrong><strong> instrong><strong> thestrong><strong> previousstrong><strong> fourstrong><strong> yearsstrong>. <strong>Bystrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong><strong> endstrong>strong>strong>strong> <strong>ofstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> yearstrong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> groupstrong><strong> hadstrong><strong> contributedstrong><strong> twostrong><strong> tracksstrong><strong> tostrong><strong> It'llstrong><strong> Endstrong><strong> instrong><strong> Tearsstrong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> firststrong><strong> albumstrong><strong> bystrong><strong> Thisstrong><strong> Mortalstrong><strong> Coilstrong>, <strong>andstrong><strong> hadstrong><strong> releasedstrong><strong> anstrong><strong> EPstrong><strong> calledstrong><strong> Gardenstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>thestrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>Arcanestrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> Delights. In<strong> 1985strong>, Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> releasedstrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> secondstrong><strong> albumstrong>, <strong>Spleenstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> Idealstrong>. <strong>Thestrong><strong> albumstrong><strong> helpedstrong><strong> buildstrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> Europeanstrong><strong> cultstrong><strong> followingstrong>, peaking<strong> atstrong><strong> numberstrong><strong> twostrong><strong> onstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Ustrong>.<strong>Kstrong>. indie<strong> chartsstrong>.
For<strong> thestrong><strong> nextstrong><strong> twostrong><strong> yearsstrong>, Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> werestrong><strong> relativelystrong><strong> quietstrong>, <strong>releasingstrong><strong> onlystrong><strong> twostrong><strong> newstrong><strong> songsstrong><strong> instrong><strong> 1986strong>, <strong>bothstrong><strong> whichstrong><strong> appearedstrong><strong> onstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> 4ADstrong><strong> compilationstrong><strong> Lonelystrong><strong> Isstrong><strong> anstrong><strong> Eyesorestrong>. Within<strong> thestrong><strong> Realmstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> astrong><strong> Dyingstrong><strong> Sunstrong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> group'sstrong><strong> thirdstrong><strong> albumstrong>, <strong>appearedstrong><strong> instrong><strong> 1986strong>. In<strong> 1988strong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> bandstrong><strong> releasedstrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> fourthstrong><strong> albumstrong>, <strong>Thestrong><strong> Serpent'sstrong><strong> Eggstrong>, <strong>andstrong><strong> wrotestrong><strong> thestrong><strong> scorestrong><strong> forstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Agustinstrong><strong> Villarongasstrong><strong> filmstrong><strong> Elstrong><strong> Ninostrong><strong> destrong><strong> lastrong><strong> Lunastrong>, which<strong> alsostrong><strong> featuredstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>Lisastrong><strong> Gerrardstrong>strong>strong>strong> in<strong> herstrong><strong> actingstrong><strong> debutstrong>.
<strong>Aionstrong>, Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dance'sstrong><strong> fifthstrong><strong> albumstrong>, was<strong> releasedstrong><strong> instrong><strong> 1990strong>. <strong>Alsostrong><strong> instrong><strong> 1990strong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> groupstrong><strong> touredstrong><strong> Americastrong><strong> forstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> firststrong><strong> timestrong>, earning<strong> ravestrong><strong> reviewsstrong>. <strong>Thestrong><strong> followingstrong><strong> yearstrong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> groupstrong><strong> wasstrong><strong> involvedstrong><strong> instrong><strong> variousstrong><strong> festivalsstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> theatricalstrong><strong> productionsstrong>. In<strong> 1991strong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> compilationstrong><strong> Astrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>Passagestrong><strong> instrong><strong> Timestrong>strong>strong>strong> was<strong> releasedstrong><strong> onstrong><strong> Rykodiscstrong>, making<strong> itstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> firststrong><strong> Americanstrong><strong> releasestrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> Deadstrong><strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> musicstrong>. Early<strong> instrong><strong> 1993strong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> groupstrong><strong> providedstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> scorestrong><strong> tostrong><strong> Barakastrong><strong> andstrong><strong> contributedstrong><strong> songsstrong><strong> tostrong><strong> Saharastrong><strong> Bluestrong>. In<strong> thestrong><strong> fallstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> 1993strong>, <strong>thestrong><strong> groupstrong><strong> releasedstrong><strong> Intostrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Labyrinthstrong>, which<strong> becamestrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> firststrong><strong> properstrong><strong> studiostrong><strong> albumstrong><strong> tostrong><strong> receivestrong><strong> anstrong><strong> Americanstrong><strong> releasestrong>. Into<strong> thestrong><strong> Labyrinthstrong><strong> wasstrong><strong> astrong><strong> cultstrong><strong> successstrong><strong> throughoutstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Ustrong>.<strong>Sstrong>. <strong>andstrong><strong> Europestrong>. It<strong> wasstrong><strong> followedstrong><strong> bystrong><strong> anotherstrong><strong> Americanstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> Europeanstrong><strong> tourstrong>, which<strong> wasstrong><strong> documentedstrong><strong> onstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> 1994strong><strong> albumstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> filmstrong>, <<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>Towardstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Withinstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>. In<strong> 1995strong>, <<strong>strong>Lisastrong><strong> Gerrardstrong>strong>strong>strong> <strong>releasedstrong><strong> herstrong><strong> debutstrong><strong> solostrong><strong> albumstrong>, <strong>Thestrong><strong> Mirrorstrong><strong> Poolstrong>. In<strong> thestrong><strong> summerstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> 1996strong>, Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> releasedstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong><strong>Spiritchaserstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> <strong>andstrong><strong> embarkedstrong><strong> onstrong><strong> anstrong><strong> internationalstrong><strong> tourstrong>. <strong>Thestrong><strong> duostrong><strong> officiallystrong><strong> disbandedstrong><strong> instrong><strong> 1999strong>; Gerrard<strong> continuedstrong><strong> workingstrong><strong> asstrong><strong> astrong><strong> solostrong><strong> artiststrong><strong> andstrong><strong> composedstrong><strong> musicstrong><strong> forstrong><strong> filmsstrong><strong> suchstrong><strong> asstrong><strong> Heatstrong>, <strong>Thestrong><strong> Insiderstrong>, <strong>andstrong><strong> Gladiatorstrong>. Perry<strong> alsostrong><strong> establishedstrong><strong> astrong><strong> solostrong><strong> careerstrong>, issuing<strong> Eyestrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> Hunterstrong><strong> instrong><strong> 2000strong>. In<strong> 2001strong>, <strong>Rhinostrong><strong> releasedstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> band'sstrong><strong> firststrong><strong> comprehensivestrong><strong> boxstrong><strong> setstrong>, Dead<strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> 1981-1998strong>. <strong>Rumoursstrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> theirstrong><strong> reunionstrong><strong> alsostrong><strong> beganstrong><strong> tostrong><strong> swirlstrong><strong> aroundstrong><strong> thisstrong><strong> timestrong>, however<strong> Gerrard'sstrong><strong> solostrong><strong> careerstrong><strong> remainedstrong><strong> steadfaststrong>. Her<strong> workstrong><strong> withstrong><strong> composerstrong><strong> Patrickstrong><strong> Cassidystrong>, <<strong>strong>Immortalstrong><strong> Memorystrong>strong>strong>strong>, followed<strong> instrong><strong> 2004strong>. <strong>Severalstrong><strong> monthsstrong><strong> laterstrong>, Gerrard<strong> andstrong><strong> Perrystrong><strong> madestrong><strong> itstrong><strong> officialstrong><strong> andstrong><strong> reunitedstrong><strong> forstrong><strong> astrong><strong> worldstrong><strong> tourstrong>. Dates<strong> instrong><strong> Northstrong><strong> Americastrong><strong> andstrong><strong> Europestrong><strong> followedstrong><strong> instrong><strong> 2005strong><strong> whilestrong><strong> Rhinostrong><strong> oncestrong><strong> morestrong><strong> recognizedstrong><strong> thestrong><strong> duostrong><strong> withstrong><strong> astrong><strong> greateststrong><strong> hitsstrong><strong> collectionstrong>. Momento: <strong>Thestrong><strong> Verystrong><strong> Beststrong><strong> ofstrong><strong> Deadstrong><strong> Canstrong><strong> Dancestrong><strong> appearedstrong><strong> instrong><strong> Octoberstrong><strong> 2005strong>.
Biography by allmusic.com
