I first went to see Dead Moon at the Casbah in San Diego, because a guy who shared our practice space in a warehouse downtown told me, "they're the best rock and roll band that's ever existed." After seeing them, I agreed.Now, rock and roll. Whatever. Labels. Hierarchies. Best. Whatever. The thing is, Dead Moon really are Rock & Roll. They've got to be nearly 60, and Fred & Toody are still bringing the rock action from Clackamas, OR, as they have since the 80s. (Though now with a new drummer, in a band called Pierced Arrows).
But Dead Moon is all about the rock mythos-- stoned and drunk on whiskey in a van in the New Mexico night, with broken guitar strings and a broken heart. If you love that shit, then this is for you.
They record themselves in mono, to a vinyl cutting machine. So don't let the fidelity get you down. Just feel it.
This may or may not be their best album (how would I be able to decide such a thing anyhow?), but most days it's my personal favorite.
Side note: Mississippi Records apparently just released an album by the prequel to Dead Moon, Fred & Toody's band The Rats. It's online at the excellent Big States blog:
Side note two: as a runner, I really really enjoy the idea of Fred & Toody running a marathon:
