The Dead Science

The Dead Science began life as the The Sweet Science; singer/guitarist Sam Mickens and brothers Jherek Bischoff (bass) and Korum Bischoff (drums) formed in mid-2000 and self-released the CD-R album Galactose that same year.

Forced to change their name in 2003 by a pre-existing “Sweet Science” band, The Dead Science was born, signed to Berkeley-based indie Absolutely Kosher, and released their proper debut, Submariner. During this period Sam and Jherek served as both recording and touring members of Xiu Xiu and members of the Butoh-based performance ensemble/punk-jazz orchestra Degenerate Art Ensemble.

The self-recorded EP Bird Bones in the Bughouse followed in 2004, and included the band’s lauded leftfield cover of Terence Trent D’arby’s “Sign Your Name.” In late 2004, drummer Korum was replaced by Nick Tamburro, and the following year the band released their second full-length, Frost Giant, recorded at the venerable Bear Creek Studios with producer Ryan Hadlock (Blonde Redhead, Black Heart Procession, Afghan Whigs). The band’s touring schedule increased dramatically and in the years since they have toured the US and Europe extensively alongside bands including The Blood Brothers, Xiu Xiu, Celebration, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, and Carla Bozulich’s Evangelista.

In 2006 they released the more experimental and subdued EP Crepuscule With The Dead Science on Portland-based imprint Slender Means Society, which included two outtakes from the sessions for Frost Giant. A great deal more touring followed, along with a string of small, vinyl-only releases.

In late summer 2008, the band released Villainaire on Constellation and toured tirelessly in North America and Europe.  Since that time, the members have been geographically disbursed, with Jherek and Nick on the home turf west coast, and Sam in NYC making mad music under several different guises.