45 Grave

45 Grave was an American rock music group active from 1979 to 1990.

Formed in Los Angeles during the punk rock movement, 45 Grave created their own brand of "death rock". The original lineup consisted of Dinah Cancer on vocals, Paul Cutler on guitar, Rob Ritter (also known as Rob Graves) on bass, and Don Bolles (of The Germs) on drums. The band evolved out of a proto-industrial music band called Vox Pop, who recorded two singles and played around the Los Angeles area, including an opening slot for the final performance of Throbbing Gristle in Culver City. Vox Pop contained all of the members of 45 Grave as well as others such as Jeff Dahl. Vox Pop continued to coexist with 45 Grave until early 1981.

In 1980 45 Grave recorded their first song, "Riboflavin Flavored Non-Carbonated Poly-Unsaturated Blood", an obscure cover from the 1960s, on a small TEAC 8-track recorder, which was released on the LAMFS compilation. Their name, despite rumors to the contrary, was lifted from a button. The band soon took the deathrock, punk and goth scenes by storm.

Early on the band were playing The Consumers songs that Cutler had written, with lyrics changed to fit Cancer's singing style. They then wrote the songs that would be released on their first 7", "Black Cross", and a thrashy, fast paced punk song called "Party Time".

In 1984, the band hit their pinnacle of fame when the revised, slowed down version of "Party Time" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Return of the Living Dead along with tracks by such luminaries as TSOL and The Cramps. Another track, "Evil", was featured prominently on MTV. They recorded their one studio album to date, "Sleep In Safety". Soon after, in 1985, the band broke up.

The band were to reform in 1989 for a brief tour, which was recorded and released as "Only The Good Die Young". Sadly, this reunion was to be short lived, as Ritter died in 1991 from an accidental drug overdose. The band broke up yet again.

In 2005, to commemorate its 25th anniversary, 45 Grave reformed with an all new lineup, Dinah Cancer being the single remaining member from any previous incarnations. The band, however, has the blessing of the ex-members. Dinah Cancer posted on her My Space blog, "I'm building this to keep the spirit of 45 Grave alive, introduce its magic to new fans, and as a personal commemorative of my best memories being the driving force and front person of 45 Grave. This is a part of my life that indeed changed me forever."

Members

Dinah Cancer - vocals (1979-1990, 2005-present)
Paul Cutler - guitar (1979-1990)
Paul Roessler - keyboards (1980-1990)
Rob Graves - bass (1979-1990)
Don Bolles - drums (1979-1990)
Lisa Pifer - bass (2005-present)
Rikk Agnew - guitar (2005-2006)
Jaime Pina - rhythm guitar (2005-present)
Mike "Thrashead" Sullivan - drums (2005-present)

Discography

Black Cross/Wax (7" single, 1981)
Phantoms (12" EP, 1983)
Sleep In Safety (LP, 1983)
Party Time/School's Out (12" single, 1984)
What Is 45 Grave? A Tale Of A Strange Phenomena (12" EP, 1984)
Autopsy (LP, 1987)
Only The Good Die Young (LP, 1989)
Debasement Tapes (LP, 1993)

External links

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