Complex, layered, experimental and intense, Dead Fader are the all killer no filler noise project from Brighton.
Basing their sound around industrial grime and minimal fidget, the dread-infused vocals that sinisterly litter Dead Fader’s tracks tell of dark days and dangerous behaviours. Fronted by John Cohen and Barry Prendergast, and signed to independent record label 3 by 3, they are the alternative duo making all-consuming tidal wave tunes that defy genre. Laying down fast and furious rhythms, that span up to 140bpm, Dead Fader’s music features intelligently distressed synths, bass pulses and deteriorated sounds. Designed to be endured and experienced, the music taps into the innermost cerebral hemispheres of the more seasoned, hardcore electronica/metal fans. Unapologetic in tone, brave in ambition and unlike anything else circulating the world of new music right now, Dead Fader are boundary pushing beat lacers for harsh times. i-D online caught up with frontman John to find out more about their dread noise…
What is your background in music? When I was really young I got a copy of Cubase, and it all started from that. I was a keen drummer in my youth too.
What music did you grow up listening to? One of my brother’s friends heard some of the tunes I was making and recommended I check out Square Pusher, so I went out and bought a copy of Feed Me Weird Things when I was about 14. Aphex Twin’s Ambient Works and Björk’s Homogenic were the 3 albums I would listen to on repeat.
If you hadn’t ended up working as a musician what might you have been? A house husband, that’s my ultimate goal eventually.
Tell me about the first gig you ever played… It was a tiny gig at the fortune of war in Brighton, at a night called ‘Instrumentality’, I played for like 20 mins, everything went wrong.
What new young labels out there are you into? 3by3, Subtext and Blackest Ever Black are doing the freshest stuff right now.
What have been some of the most memorable gigs you have played to date? I really enjoyed Fusion Festival in Germany, but some of my favourite shows have been tiny shows in London, little parties where everyone’s up for it, oh and Supersonic 10 was amazing, such a wicked festival.
How influential has the Brighton scene been on what you do? I’ve met some great people in Brighton who I’ll always be able to feed off and work with, I’m not sure if I’m ever going to fit into any scenes.
What are some good nights and events going on in Brighton right now? Donky Pitch and Ye Ye Fever.
Where do you source the majority of fresh material you work with? Internet and friends. The Internet is a great way of finding out what new stuff is coming out, I don’t really read blogs though. Usually if someone is doing wicked stuff you’ll hear about it some way or another through your friends.
Top five tracks of all time?
William basinski – A Movement In Chrome Primitive Part 3
Boards of Canada – Over the Horizon radar
Sensational Meets Kouhei – The Purple People for Future Earth
Arvo part – Fur Alina
Portishead – Machine Gun
Text: Milly McMahon
