This past spring, I interviewed industrial rocker Davey Suicide about his new band (he had previously recorded as a solo act) and his own successful clothing line Killers Never Die, which features deconstructed shirt designs with artwork that blends images of celebrity, death and horror. We also posted his debut music video for the band's first single “Generation Fuck Star,” with acclaimed video director/photographer Chad Michael Ward behind the camera, Davey portraying the leader of a new musical rebellion (which he says we should take quite literally), and ending with the words “To Be Continued.” Davey clued us in on that continuation and left us with the cryptic words “Unless we kill ourselves, there is no ceiling for what we are capable of. Put your trust in suicide.” From those cryptic words came the title of the band's new EP. While the forthcoming full-length album is complete, the release date has been pushed back a bit, so for now we have a spicy appetizer to whet our appetites.
Put Your Trust in Suicide is a short but intense collection of roof-raising anthems, which includes the original version of “Generation Fuck Star” as well as a remix version with puts stronger emphasis on meaty power chords, jittery electronics and samples (including occasional porn moans) and a more talk-sung verse style from Davey. The original focuses more on a gritty rhythmic undercurrent of shrill guitar chords and synth pulses, topped with solid mid-range industrial riffs. Davey's vocals here are reminiscent of '80s raunch-rock debauchery, but with a more threatening, snarling edge. It may be a modern rock 'n' roll call to arms, but the approach is more guerrilla-style subversion than a flag-waving march to glory.
The influence of early Nine Inch Nails sweeps right in at the intro of “Grab a Gun Hide Your Morals,” sounding almost exactly like the opening rapid-fire white noise blasts & frantic drumbeats of “Wish,” but gives way to a simple but effective dirty riff that underscores Davey's militant cries of “Grab a gun and kill everyone,” interspersed with a slimy electro thread that will tingle your short hairs even as you pump your fist in response. Compared to the previous violent battle cries, “Kids of America” carries a more refined message of rebellion, beginning with a Carnival of Souls feel (including a circus calliope and the sound of laughing children) and slipping in a throbbing electro rhythm and guttural spoken verses before busting into the catchy chorus of “We want it all, we want it now.”
While I'm still hanging on for the finished album, I'm digging the raw, uncluttered and relentless fury that drives these tracks. I anticipate more variety among the remaining album material, which should provide some counter-balance to the ferocity on display here, because an album of nothing but breathlessly rage-fueled anthems could become exhausting... but there's enough hints of diversity, particularly in Davey's vocal approach, to suggest there will be more emotional colors to come. For now, this one proves this band should have no problem amping up a huge audience.
By the way, if you missed the video for “Generation Fuck Star,” check it out here!