Rising up organically through impromptu gigs in Brighton's thriving free party scene at the start of 2009, four piece band Shoot the Dead create the kind of dance infused rock music that top trumps style with layers of substance. Without a directional haircut or a tapered jean in sight, ("What kind of uniform should we wear anyway? Jogging bottoms and blazers?"), the band have produced a joyful collection of hook laden road trip rock tunes, citing collective primary influences from bands as polarized as the Beatles, the Prodigy and unsung heroes of 90's Britpop, The Music. Driven equally by the genuine desire to wrench shoe gazers out from beard stroking mode and onto the dance floor, and a voracious disgust at the apathy born from such what charismatic front man Lance deems "the X Factor Strictly generation who'd rather watch shit TV than collectively try to change what's wrong with the world", Shoot the Dead take their name from a line borrowed from horror maestro George Romero. "There's all these zombies coming out, covered in blood and someone shouts "Shoot the dead" explains Lance "And that's how we feel about apathy. It needs to be shot". There's certainly no trace of it in their frenetic live performances, nor the title defying aggressive beats of Lullaby nor in the lyrics to the subversive, sharp synths of songs like Weapons of Hate. But, as the band cheerfully admit, it puts a smile on their faces if acolytes choose to dance rather than get deep - because despite the adamant anti-image stance, nobody could accuse Shoot the Dead of taking themselves too seriously. "Yeah, our lyrics aren't ever going to be about our ex girlfriends" Lance smiles "but I'd rather serve up thoughts about the human condition on a platter of accessible dance hooks. Ultimately, music is about joy." And with joy as their focal point, and a handful of gigs under their belt, a growing army of loyal fans who came to get down, and an album to come, Shoot the Dead are well on their way to musically gunning down any zombie fool enough to stand in their way - tapping their toes and smiling all the while. Shoot the Dead are: Lance - Lyrics and lead vocals Andre - Bass and Programming Chris - Lead guitar Tony - Drums
