This article was originally published in Moshable magazine #12 (1992) (Denmark).
Musically there might not be too much originality haunting these four Finnish misfits. Basic, raw, obnoxious, guitar dominated Rock'n'Roll resembling elements from New York Dolls, The Stooges and The Saints. Only these guys do it louder, faster, rawer and ruder than any band I have heard before. The first LP 'Toys and Dreams' is probably the meanest Rock'n'Roll album I have ever had the fortune to come across. The needle has barely found its way to vinyl before singer...eh, let us just make that vocalist St. Francis voice roars out of the loudspeakers in a wild scream like a warning of what is yet to come. They have since released their second LP conveniently entitled 'Second Coming' They were both released by Gaga-Goodies in Finland.
Dead Allison was formed in the summer 1988. St. Francis, bass player M. Annunen and drummer M. Nikula had been playing together since they were kids. Just before they started D.A. They had made a demo with their former band and guitar player J. Häikiö heard it and fell in love with St. Francis voice and lyrics. So Häikiö, who was dissatisfied with the band he was playing in at the moment, approached St Francis and D.A. got the line up which remains today. The only difference since the early days is that St. Francis does not play rhythm guitar anymore and they have quit the backing vocals by Annunen and Häikiö.
Their basic musical influences are The Stooges and early Alice Cooper. All music and lyrics are written by St. Francis. The lyrics generally deals with bad feelings, schizophrenic and supernatural experiences. He gets inspiration from occultism, horror movies and alcohol. Their first albums did not receive very good reviews in their home country, but several American magazine were very positive.
They recorded their third album late 1992. According to Häikiö it is going to be different from their previous albums. The tracks are longer, slower and heavier, some of them a bit more complicated. The groups latest influence is early Black Sabbath but he points out that D.A. is not a Heavy Metal group. Most of the people who have heard their new material have liked it a lot better than their earlier material, so maybe they are going to get appreciated amongst their fellow country men. The final mixing got delayed and after a few problems it is now due for release April 1993. It is going to be entitled 'Scream Of The Raven'.
Gaga Goodies have made a deal with Schemer/Semaphore who now licence most of Gaga Goodies releases. This originally meant that 'Scream Of The Raven' should have been released on Semaphore followed by the band going on a European tour. But due to lack of money (or lack of courage on Semaphore's behalf - ed.) it did not work out. So far D.A. has never played outside Finland; like loads of other great Finnish bands.
Hopefully the third album is going to make a tour possible for these guys.