Even open-minded headbangers can be excused for not knowing the background of Louisville, Kentucky quintet Dead Child.
Before the bandmembers started writing punchy, old-school metal, they were crafting, elliptical indie rock for a totally different crowd. Frontman David Pajo hails from prismic slowcore pioneers Slint and has also played in Tortoise, Zwan and Papa M. Guitarist Michael McMahan was in The For Carnation and bassist Todd Cook played in Shipping News and Crain (both players Joined Pajo in 2005 for the Slint Reunion). But with Dead Child, the musicians have cast indie cred to the wind, stepped into some tight jeans, cranked up their amps and bashed out some sincere, no-frills songs that sound like a cross between Judas Priest, Accept and Kyuss. Dead Child's debut album Attack came out in April and it smokes like a burning building.
Click "more" to read Pajo's description of how the band created its debut video, "Sweet Chariot," then watch our online exclusive:
"The whole idea of making a video never occurred to us. A former band mate put me in touch with Doug Dillingham, the video director. He loved our record, Attack, and was very enthusiastic about working together. We shared videos that we liked and talked about different ways to approach the song visually. It was clear that we needed an honest, straightforward video. Nothing fancy, just five heshers doing what they love.
The risk with that approach is that you can easily end up with something indistinguishable and boring. Fortunately our ADHD is probably worse than the viewers' so we kept things moving at a good clip. As long as the pacing and lighting were cool I was weirdly confident that our performance would be enough to carry the video.
We decided to set up at our rehearsal space-which is essentially a bowling supplies manufacturing company. Although some of us were suspicious about the process, it turned out to be a really good time. Having a few drinks and playing air guitar sure beats other jobs I've had! But really, we aren't the brains and guts behind all this. Total credit has to go to Doug and everyone at Storm Cell Studios. This video is their baby, pardon the pun.
And now, "Sweet Chariot." Catch it again on Saturday's "Headbangers Ball."
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