Dead Moons Grey forge Appalachian Christian rock

KNOXVILLE — Local Southern Christian metal act Dead Moons Grey defies conceptions of both metal and Christian music. Signed to Soundmass, an Australian label purveying Christian heavy metal, Dead Moons Grey takes a subtle approach to its ministry.

Dead Moons Grey (or DMG) is essentially made up of principal writers and performers Marc B'z (vocals/guitar) and David Peters (drums) and a revolving cast of players, who vary by proximity and availability. Marc B'z explains that the spiritual direction of the band is largely incidental, and that he writes what he knows. Despite his ink and past roughneck occupations as everything from a bouncer to bodyguard, B'z says that portraying images of drug use and sex through his music would be disingenuous. At the same time, DMG's spiritual storytelling digs much deeper than less tactful Christian rock outfits whose songs are often musically and lyrically reminiscent of hymns. B'z also stays true to his Southern roots, incorporating a "bluesy" Appalachian style through use of banjos and other regional sounds.

"The basis is that I've always been a Christian and I just don't like top 40 music of any genre - it's processed (garbage)," says B'z. "I wanted to play music just because I was tired of not having anything to listen to. When I play out, people will hear the music for what it is. I call it 'backdoor metal,' because you might hear a song several times before you realize the lyrics are about the apostle Peter. It's not right there in your face, which lets us reach more people. Plus, I don't like writing about sex and I don't do any drugs. For us to try and get up there and be a drinking party band would be faking. There's no image behind it. We are what we are."

But DMG's selection of a Christian label was not for a lack of other options. Without mentioning the spiritual nature of the band's music, DMG negotiated with a number of nonreligiously affiliated labels before taking the best deal with Soundmass.

"The message has always been there," says B'z. "We happened to sign with a Christian label, but we'd talked to five other labels before Soundmass, and they wanted to control all the copyrights or control who we are and the royalties. Some wanted just a couple of band members and not others."

Despite having signed with a label and holding a spot on this year's Cornerstone lineup Dead Moons Grey is still solidifying its staple sound. DMG intends to make more use of natural and regional sounds on future outings and may have found a studio mainstay late in the process of recording its upcoming self-titled release. With this recent studio experience under its belt as well as a host of new session contacts, DMG's future releases promise to expand on soulful tradition.

"We'd originally recorded tracks at Underground Studios and Lower Level Recording," B'z says. "Once we signed, Soundmass gave us three months to submit our album. Both of those places were booked up, so we happened upon Shed 55 and Dave DeWitt. We got there and he showed us what he could do with one of our songs and we stuck with him. The bad thing is I wish we'd recorded that album there beforehand, but he did what he could with what we had. It's definitely the best representation of what we are yet.

"I was wanting to start recording again to have songs ready for mastering whenever they ask us for the next release. I like having new things to listen to. I want to put different instruments in like a dulcimer and harmonica and have the banjo play a bigger part. During the last few months I've met more diverse musicians who could sit in on studio sessions and play more regional instruments."

Today marks the release of DMG's self-titled Soundmass debut, available through iTunes and www.soundmass.com. Saturday afternoon Dead Moons Grey will perform as part of Banner Fest, hosted by Edgepoint Church, 4464 Walker Blvd. The free event begins at 4 p.m. and offers food, drinks and activities for all ages. DMG also will play the Memorial Day weekend Hog Fest of Tennessee bike rally in Pelham. For more info on this event, visit www.hogfestoftn.com.

Part Man-bear: Part Bear joins Invisible Man's Revenge, Mosquito Bandito, Sounds of Sirens and Johnny Astro for a show at The Longbranch Saloon at 9 p.m. Friday, May 21. Admission is $5.

Army of one: Salvation Cowboy plays Pilot Light with New Madrid at 10 p.m. Friday, May 21. The show costs $5.

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