God Lives Underwater

God Lives Underwater was an Industrial rock band from rural Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia), formed in 1993 by band members David Reilly and Jeff Turzo. God Lives Underwater was originally signed to American Recordings after being discovered by Rick Rubin, who subsequently produced the band's first two albums.

History

Supposedly, the name "God Lives Underwater" was derived from Jeff Turzo's previous band GLU, from which David Reilly used the initials as a backronym to form the band's name. Stated influences of the band's sound include Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, The Psychedelic Furs, and Spiritualized. Reilly disparaged uses of "electronica" in reference to the band in 1998, suggesting that "techno" would be more appropriate, but ultimately saying that he would prefer the label "pop band".

The band's first release, an eponymous EP, had six songs. The release of the EP happened during a time when bands like Nine Inch Nails, Machines of Loving Grace, and others were gaining the attention of the press. The band's first full-length album, "Empty," was longer and more diverse, with improved production values. The band was joined by Adam Kary on drums and Andrew McGee on guitars for live shows. In 1998, the band released Life in the So-Called Space Age on 1500/A&M, which charted at #137. The band began nationwide touring, supporting major label acts and playing numerous music festivals. Scott Garrett replaced Kary on drums this time around.

Their 1998 single "From Your Mouth" peaked at #17 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart, supported by an unusual music video directed by Roman Coppola, featuring champion hot-dog eater Hirofumi Nakajima removing vast quantities of food 'from his mouth'. The video footage is actually a single take played in reverse, which was achieved after five other takes (each of which required Nakajima to stuff his face).

However, contractual entanglements and a label bankruptcy postponed the release of their follow-up album Up Off The Floor, and was finally released in 2004 on an independent label, but by that time, the core members of God Lives Underwater had split up and moved on to other projects.

Jeff Turzo started Wired All Wrong with Matt Mahaffey (and live support from former GLU bandmates Andrew McGee and Scott Garrett), while David Reilly pursued a solo career.

Band member David Reilly died in his sleep on the morning of , 2005 from complications of a coma brought on by bleeding, as a result of tooth infection. He was 34 years old.

A book about David Reilly was released on 10/16/07 titled "Dreams Are Unfinished Thoughts" by Brian Paone, longtime friend of David and the band with all proceeds from the book going to David's nephew.

Session musicians

Adam Kary

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Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God Lives Underwater