The Distillers
Rock marriages rarely work. There’s traveling, concerts, promo junkets, photo shoots and recording sessions.
Where’s the time? So when the union between The Distillers’ Brody Dalle and Rancid’s Tim Armstrong bit the dust it caused little stir. Fortunately, the relationship was not Dalle’s defining moment. In the end, it provided some inspiration.
Born in Australia, Dalle hit the Punk circuit with Sourpuss but the band failed to connect so she immigrated to the U.S. in ’98. Teaming with guitarist Rose Casper, The Distillers soon added bassist Kim “Chi” Fuelleman and drummer Matt Young.
This line-up signed with Hellcat Records, a subsidiary of Epitaph, run by Armstrong. The group released their self-titled debut in ‘00 before Fuelleman and Young left to join Original Sin, fronted by former X vocalist Exene Cervenka.
With bassist Ryan Sinn and drummer Andy Outbreak onboard the group released their sophomore set in ’02.
“Sing Sing Death House” was notable for the killer track “Seneca Falls.”
Seneca Falls
Then Dalle’s marriage to Armstrong dissolved. But “Sing Sing Death House” did well enough to draw major label attention.
Guitarist/vocalist Tony Bradley and drummer Andy Granelli stepped in for ’03 release “Coral Fang,” on Sire Records.
Comparisons between Courtney Love and Brody Dalle were inevitable. There are similarities in look, attitude and off-stage romantic/personal difficulties. But the comparisons were dashed the instant Dalle opened her mouth.
She was one of a kind with a unique raw power and charisma to burn. There was almost a masculine timbre to her voice that occasionally revealed vulnerability. With the combination of Dalle’s intense full-throated vocals and the minimalist Punk approach, The Distillers hit a chord on “Coral Fang.”
Reacting to the break-up with Armstrong this “goodbye” album was unrelenting. There was the thrashing drive of “Drain The Blood” and the speed Punk of “Die On A Rope.” And if If you’re going to “kiss off” someone, “Beat Your Heart Out” is the way to do it.“
Drain The Blood
The dark and intense song delves into themes of betrayal, violence and the loss of innocence.
Beat Your Heart Out
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