Hailing from South London, alt-rock up-and-comers Dead Air have made their return with a new EP – ‘Elements’. The trio’s follow-up to 2022’s ‘City Sins’ sees Dead Air hone in on an assured alt-rock sound that is equally bold and grungy. Its four tracks demonstrate their ability to shift tonally. The opening track, ‘Die’ captures their raw and energetic live reputation to a tee. Its punchy tempo gives way to an explosive chorus that brilliantly showcases bassist Reuben Moonasar’s vocals.
‘Love and Patience’ is bold thanks to Lyle Salvatore’s big riffs. On here, Moonasar’s bass lines are gritty before Salvatore’s fiery guitar solo. ‘Violently Blue’ is carried with a sombre atmosphere, partly thanks to Rich Greenbury’s controlled pacing, before ‘Breathe’ opens with a hint of trepidation. Its haunting, chugging bass lines steadily build to a sharp chorus, emphasising Dead Air‘s layered approach.
‘Elements’ is tied together by Moonasar’s vulnerable and cathartic writing. Throughout its four tracks, he explores estranged personal relationships. as well as trying to make sense of Dead Air‘s direction. Nevertheless, the trio have delivered an impressionable EP that has hints of the past yet uses them to surge forward. In short, they’re a promising and dynamic group to keep track of.
The members of Dead Air have clearly been shaped by a host of bands, both past and present. With ‘Elements’ firmly rattling around in the alt-rock sphere, we thought it’d be an ideal opportunity to learn more about the bands and albums that have influenced Dead Air‘s musical path. Here’s nine albums that have inspired them.
Slipknot – Slipknot
Reuben (Moonasar – vocals/bass): “Here comes the pain!” 25 years of mayhem (That’s almost as old as me). What a breath of fresh air this record must have been when it was released. To be honest has there really been a record like this since. Mashing up many aggressive styles of music, Slipknot took metal to a new level. Not just playing hard and fast but also adding a groove only seen in hip hop and rave music, a truly unique record. Corey Taylor’s vocals are completely unpolished and full of raw emotion, pulling the listener in. You believe every word he says, it truly is a display of anger. The guitars go from chaos to absolute focus and that’s really where the band shines. When the band locks in it’s just an unrelenting assault on your ear drums. To this day they are always no.1 on my Spotify and this album is top of the list.
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Californication
Reuben: It was hard picking a single Red Hot Chilli Peppers album for this list, I had to go back and remind myself of my favourite singles and which album they were on. (Tbh I’m very thankful for writing this list as I’ve had a chance to relive my childhood!) But I settled with Californication, because of how much the first six tracks have played a massive influence on my playing. “Around the world” I mean what a bass riff to start an album?!! ‘Parallel Universe’ begins with an almost synth-like verse that bursts into a Psych Rock anthem. Anthony Kiedis has some of the most imaginative lyrics I’ve ever heard. Do I know what it means? Bot at all! But it wrinkles my brain. This album and the RHCPs, as a whole, helped me realise that there can be an overlap between musicality and all-out energy.
Avenged Sevenfold – Avenged Sevenfold
Reuben: I feel like I’m going to get some flack for this one. But this was an album I had on repeat once I found out about drop D tuning. Although I enjoyed their third album ‘City of Evil’, I really fell in love with their ‘Self-Titled’ record (I’ve got a bit of a theme here). This record also came along with a studio documentary and I can’t tell you how many times I have watched this 45 min video. In it you have the band messing around in the studio but also talking about the writing process and this is where my love for constructing songs really began. Avenged Sevenfold talk about how they really pushed the boundaries on this record, adding 808s back in 2007, getting in lap steels for a country track and working with Mr Bungle to write goblin-esque big band lines for “A little piece of heaven”. Although this album received mixed reviews the story and progression of the band cemented this record as one of my favourites.
Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf
Lyle (Salvatore – guitar): This is the first album I remember loving from the first band I remember being obsessed with. The attitude, the sound, the vibe this album conveyed was so unique. They were moving at 1,000mph and couldn’t care less.
Turnstile – Time and Space
Lyle: Turnstile taught me that music doesn’t have to be so complex to be worthwhile. They conjure the most creative power chords riffs that, despite not being too complicated, are so difficult to master at tempo. Topped with some modern punk drumming and a powerful voice, everything comes together to what is, to me, quintessential hardcore punk.
King Krule – The Ooz
Lyle: One of my favourite artists of all time. His sound is unique and at times risky, but unapologetically itself. I can’t think of any artist that has been able to replicate what King Krule does. Blending the melancholy with the chill, this album can be used as a catalyst for tears or in the background of a civilised cocktail evening.
Rich (Greenbury – drums): Tough question this as I feel that my influences have changed so much since I picked up a pair of sticks or a guitar and so much more as we’ve really got into the weeds of writing more music with Dead Air. Since then, I’ve found myself listening to music in a much more critical way, which can be a bit shit at times but is probably why I’m a massive Tool (fan) now, there’s always something new to hear in the mix.
Tool – Fear Innoculum
Rich: Now, before people start crying saying it isn’t the best Tool album. Firstly, fuck off. Secondly, picking a best Tool album is like deciding what mood you’re gonna be in tomorrow morning before you wake up. So again, fuck off! Their tunes are so dependent on environment and mood, it’s impossible to pick. That being said, this was the first Tool album where I really got into Danny Carey’s playing. Like, really got into it… I’ve never heard someone make drums sound more melodic and sexy but also aggressive and just fucking metal. I honestly think I could listen to just the drum stems of that album on repeat in the dark on my ones and have the time of my life.
Me and Lyle also got into Tool at pretty much the same time when we moved into our flat in London. We ended up going down the rabbit hole so much, we flew to New York just to see them play at Madison Square Garden. Both left the show drooling and they played ‘Schism’ which slapped.
Bon Jovi – Cross Road
Rich: Need I say more? This band bangs so hard. I will die on this hill any day of the week. The Bon were actually the first band I ever saw live up at the shithole that is the Etihad Stadium. We did arrive late and missed Living on a Prayer (who opens with their biggest hit?) but the show was awesome. 13-year-old me was very happy. My parents used to play this album on repeat in the car and the band was probably my first major musical obsession. Some top tracks on this album and having a drummer whose nickname is “The Hitman” is just amazing.
‘Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night’ has been one of my favourite songs for as long as I can remember. Great band. Great album.
Foo Fighters – In Your Honor
The last pick was very hard, as with Tool, and to be honest with quite a few bands I’m obsessed with, it’s very hard to pick my favourite Foo’s album, let alone my top 3 album albums.
Influence-wise however, I don’t think I’d be the drummer I am today if I hadn’t discovered Taylor Hawkins or Dave Grohl’s music. I vividly remember watching a YouTube video of them performing at Hyde Park to god knows how many people. Dave walks on, screams his fucking lungs out, then they smash straight into ‘In Your Honour’ and the place just explodes. The whole album has a tonne of great tracks and great drumming. Resolve always cheers me up, ‘No Way Back’ is just the best song to play along to on drums and of course, ‘Best of You’ is Best of You.
Foos music is what I learnt to play the drums to and I would sit in my room playing along to their albums from back to front every day when I was a kid. ‘Wasting Light’? Bangs. ‘The Colour and The Shape’? Bangs. Those mf’ers don’t miss!
‘Elements’ by Dead Air is out now on Fly Tip Records.
Dead Air will be playing several UK shows in the coming weeks.
February
24th The Hug & Pint, Glasgow
25th Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
27th The Adelphi, Hull
March
1st Little Buildings, Newcastle
6th The Castle, Manchester
7th The Victoria, Birmingham
8th The Smokehouse, Ipswich
May
8-10th FOCUS Wales
Find Dead Air on: Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Linktr.ee
