Dead Can Dance

Profile:

Formed 1981 in Melbourne, Dead Can Dance, an eclectic musical entity, were one of the main proponents of the 4AD label throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Though the band split in 1998, they reformed briefly for a world tour in 2005. In winter 2011, they reunited once again to record a new album and completed a world tour promoting its release in 2012.

Sites:

deadcandance.com, 4ad.com, Facebook, Wikipedia, Bookogs, Posterogs

Members:

Brendan Perry, ~~James Pinker~~, Lisa Gerrard, ~~Peter Ulrich~~, ~~Richard Avison~~, ~~Scott Rodger~~,~~Simon Monroe~~

Variations:

Viewing All | Dead Can Dance

Dead Can Dace, Dead Can't Dance, Dead Dance

Artist

Edit Artist

Marketplace6,653 For Sale

Vinyl and CD

Add Release

Data Quality

Correct
Needs
major
Changes
minor
New
Updated

1096 submissions pending

Albums

1984

1985

Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun

4AD

1987

The Serpent's Egg

4AD

1988

Aion

1990

1993

1994

1996

DCD 2005 - 10th March - Ireland - Dublin

The Show

2005

DCD 2005 - Selections From North America 2005 ‎(2xCD, Album, Comp)

The Show

none

2006

Anastasis

[PIAS] Recordings, [PIAS] Recordings

2012

In Concert

[PIAS] Recordings, [PIAS] Recordings

2013

Dionysus

[pias]

2018

Singles & EPs

Garden Of The Arcane Delights

4AD

1984

The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove

4AD

1993

The Carnival Is Over ‎(CD, Single, Promo)

Warner Bros. Records

PRO-CD-6700

1993

The Host Of Seraphim ‎(CD, Single, Promo, Dig)

4AD

DCD 1

1993

Club Promo ‎(12", Ltd, Num, Promo)

Rough Trade, 4AD

RTD 120.2009.0

1994

Dead Can Dance - American Dreaming album art

American Dreaming ‎(CD, Single, Promo)

Warner Bros. Records

PRO-CD-7213

1994

The Snake And The Moon

4AD

1996

Nierika ‎(12", Promo, Red)

4AD

DCD 2

1996

Sambatiki ‎(CD, Single, Ltd)

4AD

DCD 4

1996

John Peel Session 2.6.1984 ‎(12", 180)

Vinyl 180, 4AD

VIN180LP030

2010

Live Happenings - Part I ‎(4xFile, MP3, EP, 320)

Not On Label (Dead Can Dance Self-released)

none

2011

Live Happenings - Part II ‎(4xFile, MP3, EP, 320)

Not On Label (Dead Can Dance Self-released)

none

2011

Reviews Show All 16 Reviews

Add Review

Bottin1995

May 10, 2018

edited about 1 year ago

My favorite band ever. What they are is beyond words.....the best way I can describe them is soul in musical form.

Fortunate enough to have seen them in concert in 2012 in Atlanta, GA, USA when I was 17. They said they had plans for doing more and this album wasn't the last. I can't wait for the next. It has been a while now. I know they will do it, but this long gap worries me that they want to make sure it is perfect (since it will be their last?) So don't count them out just yet, I really think they will release another album. Oh and incase any of you were wondering, they are just as good in concert as they are recorded. Anastasis was not my favorite DCD album, but they still sounded amazing. Took along a metalhead to see them in concert with me (I love metal too don't get me wrong) He thought it was gonna be lame...but by the end of it he lined up to buy merch.

I love most songs from every album, but my all time favorote is Spleen And Ideal. Its the one album were I am always in the mood for every song.

Reply See 2 replies Notify me 2 Helpful

lindy919

March 15, 2018

Words are sometimes inadequate to describe the beauty of certain art.
Perhaps the greatest tribute I can give to DCD is to say that several of their tracks (Sanvean, The Host Of The Seraphim, Ariadne, et.al.) instantly turn this grown man into a weeping bowl of mush.

Reply Notify me 4 Helpful

wintercottrell

September 4, 2013

This band is amazing.

I saw them perform exactly one year ago at the Ryman, and I spent all day living in the memory of what a wondrous night I had. Their performance was breathtaking, stunning, absolutely beautiful...but nothing could compare to the experience I had after the show.

I was lucky enough to have backstage passes, won from Brendan in a contest he had on his forum [whoever guessed the album name won!] and the whole night was filled with kindness and generosity. Instead of the promised 2 tickets and passes, he left me 3 in the envelope, because he'd heard not just my grandmother, but my grandfather was coming along too. As soon as we got backstage, Jules Maxwell greeted us and offered us drinks, and Brendan took us around and introduced us to the band and crew. Shaking hands with Lisa sent shivers down my spine! She was very kind and soft-spoken. However, her heavy dress was bothering her so she left early to take it off and explore the historic Ryman. But no matter, because Brendan and I engaged in conversation for half an hour, and he was the most charming gentleman I had ever met. His soothing voice, musical genius, and his sweet personality...what's not to love about this man?

After this long and wonderful chat he gave me 2 copies of Anastasis, a double vinyl and a CD, then he signed them. Afterwards, he led us downstairs so Lisa could also sign my vinyl. He stood next to me while she signed it, and for a moment I was standing next to both of my favorite singers at once. Heaven, I tell you.

After that blissful moment he said goodnight, as it was very late and they were moving on to Georgia for their next performance. I hugged him goodbye and tried not to step on his shoes in my nervous state of excitement.

I shared this experience so you all could know...not just their music but they themselves are wonderful. I'll never, ever forget that beautiful night, or how lucky I was to have met such talented people.

Reply See 2 replies Notify me 30 Helpful

0.5

August 4, 2013

With Dead Can Dance, it's hard not to love them to bits or at least respect them for their music achievements. And yes, it's impossible to be an artist of their caliber if you're not at least one single bit egotistically stubborn to believe in your own art. The genius of Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry (including a cast of equally talented, numerous musicians they've worked with throughout the years) is immense and now deservedly part of music history books. Even if they did make a weak album, to many other weak albums, theirs is still true king by comparison. And by all means classic.

Reply Notify me 2 Helpful

earlyadoptr

May 12, 2011

I was fortunate enough to see Dead Can Dance perform on 3 US tours.

I first time I saw them was indoors at the Zellerbach Auditorium at U.C.Berkeley on November 7th, 1993. The tension between Lisa Gerrard and the musicians was palpable. They stopped and restarted several songs, as if out of sync. The promoter rep afterwards said that Lisa was fighting with the musicians during the sound check. The lack of interest showed in their performance. I worked for the promoter, and I remember speaking to the booking agent, weeks prior to the show. He thought they were a spin-off of the "Grateful Dead" and that was why the show sold out. He didn't understand what an underground following they had! LOL

The second time I saw them was August 09,1996 at The Greek Theater in Berkeley, California. The outdoor show was truly amazing. I will never forget it. The musicians changed which instruments they played for different songs, showcasing their true talent. Lisa Gerrard's haunting vocals were in top form. I still have a printed set list, 2 tour programs with an unplayed CD inside each, and 2 sticky passes for the "special seating area".

The Final time I saw them was for their reunion tour on September 21, 2005 in Oakland California at the Paramount Theater. The show was truly enjoyable. They seemed really happy to be in front of a live audience and it showed. The musicianship was top notch. Lisa's vocals which had become raspy over the years, had a certain exuberance about them. Her playing of the Chinese Dulcimer was quite lively, she was truly enjoying herself. Hurrah's! They were in top form again. I managed to get a printed copy of the set list again.

I can't wait to see them, If Brendan Perry's 2010 talk of reuniting again becomes fruitful.

Reply See 2 replies Notify me 5 Helpful

ixlad66

June 1, 2010

edited over 9 years ago

To call this musical act "unique" is a huge understatement. Very hard to find words to describe what they do. Almost impossible to place them in a specific musical category. Some will call it "world music" (whatever that means); I like to call it the fruit of uninhibited talent. Lisa Gerrard has one of the most haunting and fantastic voices (and with such a range!) ever recorded. The music combines old and new in a way never previously attempted.
I have been fortunate enough to see them perform three times. The last was in 2005 at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. This was the only show in the tour where they performed with a full live orchestra. All my friends and I were stunned to say the least. Unfortunately this memorable performance was never commercially released on CD or vinyl, unlike many other 2005 tour dates. I'm hoping they may be saving it for a future DVD release? We can only wish...

Reply See 1 reply Notify me 2 Helpful

Vinylfetish

December 29, 2006

edited over 12 years ago

DCD are one of the essential artists who reinvent the wheel with each release. Although they now have solo careers, both Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry have brought World music to the ears of many who once may have not given it a chance. Not only did they bring World music to a larger audience, but they continue to produce for large box office Movies as well.

Reply Notify me 1 Helpful

Alastis

February 14, 2006

edited over 13 years ago

I saw their reunion show in Boston in October of 2005. And it was excellent - definitely not the type of reunion where all you get is a lot of overweight old dudes.
It's amazing that they survived throughout all these years, since there was no promotion to speak of and they're not appearing on television and radio very often. This is one band that reached for something through years of hard work and i certainly appreciate that.

Reply Notify me 3 Helpful

fabriknos

October 1, 2005

edited over 14 years ago

I believe DCD is one of the most important groups in modern music. Impossible to classify or pigeon-hole, the duo of Gerrard & Perry have written some incredible music, from the operatic to the sublime, the epic to the basic. Their long history proceeds them and I'm absolutely ecstatic they have decided to reunite for tours in 2005, and hopefully future releases. If you open yourself up to their music and words, they will touch you in a powerful way.

Reply Notify me 6 Helpful