Dead On TV

Chicago natives Dead On TV are a new, fun band with a distinct sound taking elements from punk and industrial music. Their debut EP, Fuck You, I'm Famous, is a ferocious five-song attack of those elements. I had a chance to sit down with frontman Dan Evans to talk about the band, the record, and all things in between.
DAN EVANS

Punk Globe:
How did the band form?
DAN EVANS:
Chris [Smits, guitarist] and I, we played in a bunch of bands. We played in a band before this. An industrial band, and then that kind of fell apart. So, we wanted to keep doing stuff, and I was like, "Hey I got some ideas. You're a way better guitar player than I am." Originally it was just me and him in my friend's basement, just programming everything on the drum machine and stuff, and then my friend Vince [McAley, drummer], who I played with in some other bands before this, too… It just kinda worked real naturally.
Punk Globe:
Were they local groups?
DAN EVANS:
Yeah.
Punk Globe:
You have an EP out. Is this your first release?
DAN EVANS:
Yep.
Punk Globe:
How's it doing for you so far?
DAN EVANS:
Good, I think. I don't know any numbers, but we're getting a lot of college radio play, we got picked up by, like, a hundred college radio stations. So, that's awesome.
Punk Globe:
The label on the EP is WTII. Is that in reference to Wax Trax?
DAN EVANS:
Yeah.
Punk Globe:
I had heard Chris used to be in some of their bands like Sister Machine Gun.
DAN EVANS:
Yeah, that's where I met him. We used to play in this band called Die Warzau that were on Wax Trax. I've known the guy that runs WTII for a long time. He's seen us before, so then I threw him the record and I was like, "This is something you might want to do. I don't know." It's a bit more rock and roll than most of the things they do. He was into it though. It was cool, 'cause I didn't want to have the label be some stranger in New York or whatever. He's my friend, he lives down the street, and we can hang out and stuff.
Punk Globe:
Is there going to be a full album?
DAN EVANS:
Yeah, we're gonna do a full-length for them, probably. We have a bunch of songs written, but we're still gonna work on a few more, so I'm hoping early next year there will be a full length.
Punk Globe:
There's a video out now, too. Which song is the video for?
DAN EVANS:
It's for 'Fuck You, I'm Famous.' I think we're gonna throw it out on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to that.
Punk Globe:
How'd you guys film it and where was it filmed?
DAN EVANS:
Chris used to work at this place called Lake Shore Audio, and they were moving out a bunch of stuff. They were expanding their company, so they just had this giant, empty warehouse, and we're like, "This is perfect," and my friend John was like, "They're gonna paint it in two days, so just go in there and do it real quick." They had all the equipment there already for the lighting, so it was just real easy.
Punk Globe:
Are the pictures in the CD from that warehouse?
DAN EVANS:
That was from somewhere different. I work at a rehearsal space, and we had a bunch of rooms that were just white. I was like, "We could do something really cool with this." So, yeah, there's no blood in the video. We were trying to keep it real simple. The next one will be more extravagant, I'm sure.
Punk Globe:
There's a song on the EP called 'Dead On TV.' Did that stem from the band name or did that song appear first and you decided that should be the name of the group?
DAN EVANS:
I wrote that song first. I was looking for a name, and then I was like, "That kind of sums it all up real nice." It's what we're about. So, the band came from the song.
Punk Globe:
Is the writing process pretty collaborative?
DAN EVANS:
Initially, I pretty much did Dead On TV by myself. Then I played it for Chris, and then he got more into playing a lot of the guitar after that. Once we had a bunch of demos and found a live drummer… I mean, for the most part, we all have ideas or a riff or whatever, and then we can just kind of go from there. It's pretty collaborative I would say.
Punk Globe:
Who are some of your big influences?
DAN EVANS:
In an ideal world, we'd be Devo, 'cause we're just a punk band that has some keyboards. I mean, we like The Stooges, The Damned, Fear… Then there's definitely a lot of new wave influence like The Cars and Devo and stuff like that.
Punk Globe:
Are those some of the bands that, in sort of a dream world, you would like to see yourself playing with or are there other bands that may not have influenced you that you would still like to play some shows with?
DAN EVANS:
I mean, it'd be awesome to play a show with Devo, and The Damned too, but I'm not sure how we would gel. I always think we sound like if Mot&#24 - Punk Globe Magazine

Chicago natives Dead On TV are a new, fun band with a distinct sound taking elements from punk and industrial music. Their debut EP, Fuck You, I'm Famous, is a ferocious five-song attack of those elements. I had a chance to sit down with frontman Dan Evans to talk about the band, the record, and all things in between.
DAN EVANS

Punk Globe:
How did the band form?
DAN EVANS:
Chris [Smits, guitarist] and I, we played in a bunch of bands. We played in a band before this. An industrial band, and then that kind of fell apart. So, we wanted to keep doing stuff, and I was like, "Hey I got some ideas. You're a way better guitar player than I am." Originally it was just me and him in my friend's basement, just programming everything on the drum machine and stuff, and then my friend Vince [McAley, drummer], who I played with in some other bands before this, too… It just kinda worked real naturally.
Punk Globe:
Were they local groups?
DAN EVANS:
Yeah.
Punk Globe:
You have an EP out. Is this your first release?
DAN EVANS:
Yep.
Punk Globe:
How's it doing for you so far?
DAN EVANS:
Good, I think. I don't know any numbers, but we're getting a lot of college radio play, we got picked up by, like, a hundred college radio stations. So, that's awesome.
Punk Globe:
The label on the EP is WTII. Is that in reference to Wax Trax?
DAN EVANS:
Yeah.
Punk Globe:
I had heard Chris used to be in some of their bands like Sister Machine Gun.
DAN EVANS:
Yeah, that's where I met him. We used to play in this band called Die Warzau that were on Wax Trax. I've known the guy that runs WTII for a long time. He's seen us before, so then I threw him the record and I was like, "This is something you might want to do. I don't know." It's a bit more rock and roll than most of the things they do. He was into it though. It was cool, 'cause I didn't want to have the label be some stranger in New York or whatever. He's my friend, he lives down the street, and we can hang out and stuff.
Punk Globe:
Is there going to be a full album?
DAN EVANS:
Yeah, we're gonna do a full-length for them, probably. We have a bunch of songs written, but we're still gonna work on a few more, so I'm hoping early next year there will be a full length.
Punk Globe:
There's a video out now, too. Which song is the video for?
DAN EVANS:
It's for 'Fuck You, I'm Famous.' I think we're gonna throw it out on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to that.
Punk Globe:
How'd you guys film it and where was it filmed?
DAN EVANS:
Chris used to work at this place called Lake Shore Audio, and they were moving out a bunch of stuff. They were expanding their company, so they just had this giant, empty warehouse, and we're like, "This is perfect," and my friend John was like, "They're gonna paint it in two days, so just go in there and do it real quick." They had all the equipment there already for the lighting, so it was just real easy.
Punk Globe:
Are the pictures in the CD from that warehouse?
DAN EVANS:
That was from somewhere different. I work at a rehearsal space, and we had a bunch of rooms that were just white. I was like, "We could do something really cool with this." So, yeah, there's no blood in the video. We were trying to keep it real simple. The next one will be more extravagant, I'm sure.
Punk Globe:
There's a song on the EP called 'Dead On TV.' Did that stem from the band name or did that song appear first and you decided that should be the name of the group?
DAN EVANS:
I wrote that song first. I was looking for a name, and then I was like, "That kind of sums it all up real nice." It's what we're about. So, the band came from the song.
Punk Globe:
Is the writing process pretty collaborative?
DAN EVANS:
Initially, I pretty much did Dead On TV by myself. Then I played it for Chris, and then he got more into playing a lot of the guitar after that. Once we had a bunch of demos and found a live drummer… I mean, for the most part, we all have ideas or a riff or whatever, and then we can just kind of go from there. It's pretty collaborative I would say.
Punk Globe:
Who are some of your big influences?
DAN EVANS:
In an ideal world, we'd be Devo, 'cause we're just a punk band that has some keyboards. I mean, we like The Stooges, The Damned, Fear… Then there's definitely a lot of new wave influence like The Cars and Devo and stuff like that.
Punk Globe:
Are those some of the bands that, in sort of a dream world, you would like to see yourself playing with or are there other bands that may not have influenced you that you would still like to play some shows with?
DAN EVANS:
I mean, it'd be awesome to play a show with Devo, and The Damned too, but I'm not sure how we would gel. I always think we sound like if Mot&#24 - Punk Globe Magazine

Pop culture comes under attack as this Chicago trio unleashes a raucous and rambunctious brand of electrified punk rock. Guitarists Dan Evans and Chris Smits introduce to ReGen their raw and blistering assault on pop culture and their history in the industrial scene.

An InterView with Dan Evans and Chris Smits of Dead on TV

By: Ilker Yücel

Proof positive that one need not be a living, breathing human being with a discernible personality to attain fame and notoriety, pop culture is a veritable oasis for any band with a taste for lyrical scorn. In steps Chicago punk rock band Dead on TV, comprised of guitarists Dan Evans and Chris Smits and drummer Vince McAley. The band’s debut EP, Fuck You, I’m Famous delivers a fresh batch of venom directed at everything from celebutante worship and reality TV to rampant over-medication, addiction and all the materialistic celebrations of modern American life. And yet, for all of these seemingly serious issues, the band presents a viciously irreverent sense of humor with their sights set firmly on the audience in true punk fashion: no group or individual is safe from Dead on TV’s raucous and rambunctious brand of musical commentary, par for the course considering the band’s previous involvement with legendary industrial funksters Die Warzau, performing live and on the band’s later releases, with Evans and McAley forming GoFight with producer/vocalist Jim Marcus. Now working on a full-length album and tearing up stages across the United States like a Tasmanian Devil battling it out with a tsunami, Dead on TV’s Dan Evans and Chris Smits take the time to introduce ReGen’s readers to their raw and blistering assault on pop culture, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, reel in pain and beg for more!

deadontv-4 The band has just released the Fuck You, I’m Famous debut EP. As you’ve all worked together in Die Warzau for some time, tell us about how this band came together and what drove you all to pursue the punk/electro sound with Dead on TV. As well, give us a little bit of individual background, how you all came into music…

Smits: Dan and I had finished the Supergangbang sessions with Die Warzau (where we met each other) and were looking to keep active musically as Die Warzau became more and more defunct. We were out one night, and Dan asked me if I wanted to form a new band with him, because–and I’ll never forget this–‘You’re the only person I know that’s as pissed off as I am!’ He said he had written a track already, and I skeptically said I’d listen to it. That track ended up being ‘Dead on TV,’ and it blew me away. The next time we got together, I threw down the music for what would end up being ‘Fuck You, I’m Famous’ in all of 15 minutes. That was it. Those two songs gave us everything we needed to know that this was the right thing for us.

Evans: We had been doing Die Warzau, and that required a lot of preparation and programming to play a show. I just wanted to do something that was super simple in terms of playing live and the actual music itself, where we could just run around and get totally violent and not worry about breaking anything or anyone. Initially, it was all drum machines and guitar. I guess I wanted to make a Big Black record. Then Vince showed up, and it turned into this whole other monstrosity with live drums and the energy that gives a song or a riff. We all have a pretty ridiculous sense of humor and like to push people’s buttons, so when we started playing live it turned into this punk/rock & roll/demolition type thing, and we’ve gone from there. I’ve played music my whole life, but didn’t start trying to play guitar until I was 21. That’s why I’m not very good. Chris is a way better guitar player than me, playing since he was in high school, and Vince…well, fuck that guy.

What’s the process like in terms of songwriting and recording among the three band members?

Smits: It’s pretty natural, really. When it was just Dan and I, one of us would start something with a guitar track and we’d just keep going. The two of us will just sit in a room together and keep taking passes at it, going back and forth until we feel we’ve got it. We’re disgustingly diplomatic with each other when it comes to writing. When one of us clicks, the other says ‘That’s it!’ It’s pretty rare that we disagree on what riffs to go with. Now that we’ve got Vince in with us, we’ve taken to a bit more of a live approach. Sometimes we’ll start a rough of the guitar and drums at the same time and record the two together live. That’s been adding some energy to the new songs in a way you just don’t get from sitting in front of a computer by yourself.

Evans: I agree with Chris; we have sort of an anything goes approach to writing, which frees us up if we want to play different types of songs. As long as we all can get behind a riff or a lyric, then it’s fine.

Songs like the title track, ‘Cocaine,’ and ‘Dead on TV’ all seem to present a deliberate confro - Regen Magazine

Pop culture comes under attack as this Chicago trio unleashes a raucous and rambunctious brand of electrified punk rock. Guitarists Dan Evans and Chris Smits introduce to ReGen their raw and blistering assault on pop culture and their history in the industrial scene.

An InterView with Dan Evans and Chris Smits of Dead on TV

By: Ilker Yücel

Proof positive that one need not be a living, breathing human being with a discernible personality to attain fame and notoriety, pop culture is a veritable oasis for any band with a taste for lyrical scorn. In steps Chicago punk rock band Dead on TV, comprised of guitarists Dan Evans and Chris Smits and drummer Vince McAley. The band’s debut EP, Fuck You, I’m Famous delivers a fresh batch of venom directed at everything from celebutante worship and reality TV to rampant over-medication, addiction and all the materialistic celebrations of modern American life. And yet, for all of these seemingly serious issues, the band presents a viciously irreverent sense of humor with their sights set firmly on the audience in true punk fashion: no group or individual is safe from Dead on TV’s raucous and rambunctious brand of musical commentary, par for the course considering the band’s previous involvement with legendary industrial funksters Die Warzau, performing live and on the band’s later releases, with Evans and McAley forming GoFight with producer/vocalist Jim Marcus. Now working on a full-length album and tearing up stages across the United States like a Tasmanian Devil battling it out with a tsunami, Dead on TV’s Dan Evans and Chris Smits take the time to introduce ReGen’s readers to their raw and blistering assault on pop culture, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, reel in pain and beg for more!

deadontv-4 The band has just released the Fuck You, I’m Famous debut EP. As you’ve all worked together in Die Warzau for some time, tell us about how this band came together and what drove you all to pursue the punk/electro sound with Dead on TV. As well, give us a little bit of individual background, how you all came into music…

Smits: Dan and I had finished the Supergangbang sessions with Die Warzau (where we met each other) and were looking to keep active musically as Die Warzau became more and more defunct. We were out one night, and Dan asked me if I wanted to form a new band with him, because–and I’ll never forget this–‘You’re the only person I know that’s as pissed off as I am!’ He said he had written a track already, and I skeptically said I’d listen to it. That track ended up being ‘Dead on TV,’ and it blew me away. The next time we got together, I threw down the music for what would end up being ‘Fuck You, I’m Famous’ in all of 15 minutes. That was it. Those two songs gave us everything we needed to know that this was the right thing for us.

Evans: We had been doing Die Warzau, and that required a lot of preparation and programming to play a show. I just wanted to do something that was super simple in terms of playing live and the actual music itself, where we could just run around and get totally violent and not worry about breaking anything or anyone. Initially, it was all drum machines and guitar. I guess I wanted to make a Big Black record. Then Vince showed up, and it turned into this whole other monstrosity with live drums and the energy that gives a song or a riff. We all have a pretty ridiculous sense of humor and like to push people’s buttons, so when we started playing live it turned into this punk/rock & roll/demolition type thing, and we’ve gone from there. I’ve played music my whole life, but didn’t start trying to play guitar until I was 21. That’s why I’m not very good. Chris is a way better guitar player than me, playing since he was in high school, and Vince…well, fuck that guy.

What’s the process like in terms of songwriting and recording among the three band members?

Smits: It’s pretty natural, really. When it was just Dan and I, one of us would start something with a guitar track and we’d just keep going. The two of us will just sit in a room together and keep taking passes at it, going back and forth until we feel we’ve got it. We’re disgustingly diplomatic with each other when it comes to writing. When one of us clicks, the other says ‘That’s it!’ It’s pretty rare that we disagree on what riffs to go with. Now that we’ve got Vince in with us, we’ve taken to a bit more of a live approach. Sometimes we’ll start a rough of the guitar and drums at the same time and record the two together live. That’s been adding some energy to the new songs in a way you just don’t get from sitting in front of a computer by yourself.

Evans: I agree with Chris; we have sort of an anything goes approach to writing, which frees us up if we want to play different types of songs. As long as we all can get behind a riff or a lyric, then it’s fine.

Songs like the title track, ‘Cocaine,’ and ‘Dead on TV’ all seem to present a deliberate confro - Regen Magazine

Dead on TV have been wowing crowds all over the Midwest for some time now... With their in your fucking face electro-punk. Great strong vocals from lead singer Dan Evans, Drummer Vince Mcaley executes each track with sublime beats...While guitar player Xmas Smits slays his axe with wild abandoned skill on each track. Dead on TV's "Fuck You I'm Famous" is a fuck you guitar dominated 5 song EP/CD Standout tracks are "Dead on TV." "Dirty American," and "Fuck You I'm Famous" will make you wanna buy this CD now... - Punk Globe Magazine

Dead on TV have been wowing crowds all over the Midwest for some time now... With their in your fucking face electro-punk. Great strong vocals from lead singer Dan Evans, Drummer Vince Mcaley executes each track with sublime beats...While guitar player Xmas Smits slays his axe with wild abandoned skill on each track. Dead on TV's "Fuck You I'm Famous" is a fuck you guitar dominated 5 song EP/CD Standout tracks are "Dead on TV." "Dirty American," and "Fuck You I'm Famous" will make you wanna buy this CD now... - Punk Globe Magazine

Highly enjoyable rock n roll ridiculousness about sin, sanity-challenging, drugs, and narcism. Basically an indictment of any rock n roll that isn't about all that stuff. Delightfully, they manage to be slickly shoddy or shoddily slick, created ragged punk that sounds like radio pop without fitting into any exact niche. Considering their local status I'd suggest Dead on TV's wailing guitarist Xmas Smits start a two piece band with noise/garage/art rock all-star Christmas Woods, and they do nothing but inspirational instrumental yuletide music aimed at all the people who commit suicide because of holiday depression. Sure, it's a demographic with a lot of annual turnover, and limited loyalty, but you can't go broke cashing in on people who hate their families their lives and Santa! - Roctober Magazine

Highly enjoyable rock n roll ridiculousness about sin, sanity-challenging, drugs, and narcism. Basically an indictment of any rock n roll that isn't about all that stuff. Delightfully, they manage to be slickly shoddy or shoddily slick, created ragged punk that sounds like radio pop without fitting into any exact niche. Considering their local status I'd suggest Dead on TV's wailing guitarist Xmas Smits start a two piece band with noise/garage/art rock all-star Christmas Woods, and they do nothing but inspirational instrumental yuletide music aimed at all the people who commit suicide because of holiday depression. Sure, it's a demographic with a lot of annual turnover, and limited loyalty, but you can't go broke cashing in on people who hate their families their lives and Santa! - Roctober Magazine

Reason for 5 stars and this review is track 12. F*** You, I'm Famous(Single edit) by Dead On TV. The track listing spells the song title, Amazon won't let me.

Brilliant punk song that could be from the 70's except it's better than nearly all late 70's punk. Cool 10 second stereo opening then we rock. High speed singer keeping up with killer guitar & drums sings a little. At 39 seconds the song title chorus hits us and they win. More lyrics, zooming band then the chorus and we win, guitar and drums feature neat intense punk play then the chorus and everybody wins. Under 3 minutes, out of breath, we hit play again.

3 man band make better noise in 3 mins than many bands make in an album. Love it. Track is available as single download thru Amazon. - Amazon.com

Many may think of punk music as having become a parody of itself, marketed and sold as much by the very mainstream that the form and attitude was originally founded to combat. So what could be more punk than a trio of veteran rockers producing an EP full of lo-fi production and scathing lyrics that tear down virtually all aspects of modern life, from politics to the media? This is where Dead on TV’s Fuck You, I’m Famous comes in, presenting five songs blazing by at 12-and-a-half minutes like a one-two punch to your ears. From critiques of pop stardom in “Dead on TV” to the diatribes on the trappings of rock stardom and the addictions of fame in “Cocaine” and the title track, Dead on TV virtually explode with in-your-face punk energy, augmented by some squelchy synths for good measure. The interplay of effectively raucous guitars riffs from Dan Evans and Chris Smits backed by Vince McAley’s powerful percussion revels in the simplicity and the aggression of punk, while Evans’ lyrics are at once poignant and belligerent with just the right amount of sardonic humor and melody to give the songs a wider appeal. But make no mistake, this is pure punk without the need for gratuitous flourishes beyond the touch of synths, and those without an ear for the style may certainly be put off by the EP’s brevity and attitude. With such lyrics as “I’ll be bombing all your cities, I’ll be killing all your children, I’ll be raping all your women, I’ll be burning up your oil” and “I’ll leave you nothing but a broken democracy” on “Dirty American,” and “Britney’s gonna end up where she belongs, might even kill herself before I finish this song” on “Dead on TV,” the band clearly has no qualms about offending the status quo and challenging notions of social acceptance; just as a good punk band should do. For all of this, Fuck You, I’m Famous is a fine EP that is sure to sate the appetite of anyone looking for a jolt of musical adrenaline. - Regen Magazine

Many may think of punk music as having become a parody of itself, marketed and sold as much by the very mainstream that the form and attitude was originally founded to combat. So what could be more punk than a trio of veteran rockers producing an EP full of lo-fi production and scathing lyrics that tear down virtually all aspects of modern life, from politics to the media? This is where Dead on TV’s Fuck You, I’m Famous comes in, presenting five songs blazing by at 12-and-a-half minutes like a one-two punch to your ears. From critiques of pop stardom in “Dead on TV” to the diatribes on the trappings of rock stardom and the addictions of fame in “Cocaine” and the title track, Dead on TV virtually explode with in-your-face punk energy, augmented by some squelchy synths for good measure. The interplay of effectively raucous guitars riffs from Dan Evans and Chris Smits backed by Vince McAley’s powerful percussion revels in the simplicity and the aggression of punk, while Evans’ lyrics are at once poignant and belligerent with just the right amount of sardonic humor and melody to give the songs a wider appeal. But make no mistake, this is pure punk without the need for gratuitous flourishes beyond the touch of synths, and those without an ear for the style may certainly be put off by the EP’s brevity and attitude. With such lyrics as “I’ll be bombing all your cities, I’ll be killing all your children, I’ll be raping all your women, I’ll be burning up your oil” and “I’ll leave you nothing but a broken democracy” on “Dirty American,” and “Britney’s gonna end up where she belongs, might even kill herself before I finish this song” on “Dead on TV,” the band clearly has no qualms about offending the status quo and challenging notions of social acceptance; just as a good punk band should do. For all of this, Fuck You, I’m Famous is a fine EP that is sure to sate the appetite of anyone looking for a jolt of musical adrenaline. - Regen Magazine

Dead On TV were a highlight of the evening—frontman Dan Evans put on an incredible high energy performance reminiscent of Iggy and the Stooges (and not just because he was a skinny white guy with no shirt,) with a very punk-rock set and effective but only sparing electronics. - Coma Music Magazine

Dead On TV were a highlight of the evening—frontman Dan Evans put on an incredible high energy performance reminiscent of Iggy and the Stooges (and not just because he was a skinny white guy with no shirt,) with a very punk-rock set and effective but only sparing electronics. - Coma Music Magazine