Myspace Magic: Four Dead In Ohio

For the second of this week's MySpace Magic features NME-E stays in the UK to run the roost over Four Dead In Ohio. This quartet have actually been together since 2007, but have started to make waves since the release of their debut single, 'Jesus Won't Dance In My High Heels', which peaked at Nº 9 in the UK indie chart in September of last year. I came across their sound during one of my 'need some major guitars' phases - they certainly satisfied my needs - and thought readers might like to find out a little more. Lead guitarist Doug Mallett gives us the lowdown.

NME-E: Please let me allow you to introduce yourselves.
FDIO: We are Four Dead In Ohio, that is Jakob Ohlen – Vox/Guitar, Doug Mallett – Lead Guitar, Stu North – Bass and Captain Rick McKay – Drums.

Jakob & Rick had been friends for years, and met myself & Stu in a Kebab shop in Shoreditch after night out and got talking about how bad all the current bands were, and we decided to do something about it and form a band!

NME-E: What's the name all about?
FDIO: It refers to the Kent State shooting in Ohio, USA in 1970 where four students were shot by the US army during an anti-war protest. The line is taken from the Neil Young song 'Ohio' which is about the shootings.

NME-E: What can we expect to hear if we tune in to your music?
FDIO: In a nutshell, it's psychedelic rock n’ roll with a twist of pop.

Hmmm, an enigmatic answer if ever there was one. There are currently three tracks available on their MySpace profile, so your best bet is to have a listen yourselves. However, if pushed into putting you in the picture, it's a pretty safe bet to say that if you're into grinding walls of guitar noise, a la Stone Roses, BRMC or Kasabian, then you're going to like Four Dead's sound.

NME-E: Have you released anything yet?
FDIO: We put out 'Jesus Won’t Dance In My High Heels' last September as a limited edition vinyl & iTunes download. It peaked at No.9 in the UK indie chart. This was followed by 'Tastes Like The Good Love' in April 2009. There's an EP in the pipeline too.

NME-E: If you could choose an artist to support you on the road, who would it be?
FDIO: I’m liking Darker My Love so maybe them (and we recently supported them in London).

NME-E: Which album is currently pumping on your stereo?
FDIO: Seasick Steve – 'Started Out With Nothing'

NME-E: It seems like it's all happening for you guys, then?
FDIO: Yeah. We've just just been to Holland to play London's Calling at the Paradiso in Amsterdam and we'll be in Paris on December 4, with another show lined up there too in the near future. We'll then be heading into the studio to record some brand new songs and expect an EP release around March 2010!

Sounds like a good plan. Four Dead In Ohio are moving in the right direction. NME-E has a sneaky feeling that 2010 will be an important year for them.




Last 5 NME-E interviews:
The Temps (Liverpool, UK)
The 48Ks (Doncaster, UK)
The Jacs (Liverpool, UK)
Cybiont (New Zealand)
Mutineers (Manchester, UK)

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