John Elliott,
Norm Rau,
Dave D'eath,
William Stickers,
John Losey,
Barry Nelson,
Mike Orr,
Lynn Greer,
Skot Nelson,
Patrick Benson,
Kevin Hamilton,
Bone Brown,
Scott Baerenwald,
Hans Rotenbury,
Mike Griffith,
James Horn,
Kim Ervin
DESSAU is the musical output mainly of one John Elliott. Mining a similar artistic vein as Nitzer Ebb and early Ministry, DESSAU delivered powerful, rhythmic industrial dance tracks that translated better to the dancefloor than to the home stereo. Songs like "Suffer", "Sun 90", "Unshakeable" and of course, "Isolation" are well known amongst the scene's "older" aggro fans.
Elliott began his musical career in 1979 as drummer for Nashville punk rock outfit Cloverbottom. Elliott later experimented with electronic percussion as a member of Actuals, later known as Factual. After becoming fed up with the stagnant Nashville rock scene, Elliott moved to Chicago in the fall of 1981, joining Stations and working with Manchester producer Martin Hannett (Joy Division, New Order). He also gained valuable friendships with Ministry's Al Jourgensen and Steve Albini (Pixies/Nirvana). Returning to Nashville in 1983, Elliott formed DESSAU and worked again with Martin Hannett on DESSAU's first 12" EP, RED LANGUAGES.
Working with veteran Nashville rockers Skot Nelson (guitar), Mike Orr (bass) & Barry Nelson (bass), DESSAU would release a series of dance-oriented 12" EPs through the latter half of the '80s, including HAPPY MOOD in 1986. The 1988 Mad Hog EP 12" featured a remix of the dance floor hit "Unshakeable" by Ministry's Al Jourgensen. Both Jourgensen & Paul Barker would contribute to the 1988 cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" which would become DESSAU's dancefloor break-through. The album, EXERCISE IN TENSION, which followed in 1989, included "Isolation". The CD version included "Beijing", DESSAU's
third dance track hit.
During the '90s, Elliott turned toward other projects which included Passafist, Rebecca St. James, Final Cut, Lick, Pyskosonik & writing the theme music for the Wax Trax! Black Box DVD with Chris Randall of Sister Machine Gun. Re-forming DESSAU with guitarist Norm Rau, Elliott released the heavier, less dance-oriented DETAILS SKETCHY in 1995, collaborating with members of Ministry, Die Warzau, Pigface, & Filter. Mausoleum / BMG Records would later buy the rights to the DESSAU back catalog; the MAD HOG EP, "Isolation"
& 5 unreleased Paul Barker 1990 produced tracks highlight the label's 1995 release DESSAU.
DESSAU has worked with a virtual "who's-who" of "Industrial" including Paul Barker and Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Jason McNinch (Lick), Van Christie / Jim Marcus (Die Warzau), Luc Van Acker (Revco), Richard Patrick (Filter) and many others. DESSAU has toured with Nitzer Ebb, Pigface, Urban Dance Squad & Die Warzau. DESSAU has remixed Chemlab "Monkey God" & Croc Shop "Order + Joy".
DESSAU DISCOGRAPHY:
Red Languages (12") Dessau Ltd. Records 1985
Happy Mood (12") Faction Records 1986
Isolation (12") Carlyle Records 1988
Mad Hog (12") Carlyle Records 1988
Exercise In Tension (LP/CD) Carlyle Records 1989
Beijing / Europe Light Remix (12") Carlyle Records 1990
Dessau (CD) Mausoleum / BMG Records 1995
Details Sketchy (CD) Fifth Colvmn Records 1995
The Truth Hurts (CD) WT2 Records 2009
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Holey Cow! I didn't know you guys were still around. I used to live in Nashville (Elvira Ave. btw) and listened to you guys on WRVU in the late 80's. Man has it been 20 years? I still listen to the cd's of yours I bought at cornerstone music on 2nd Ave back then. -I got white crosses on the I-65-
always a band i enjoyed since the first time i heard Dessau, which was on a cassingle in the 90's that had Dessau on one side, and NOthingface on the other,
HI GUYS, AND THANKS FOR THE FRIENDSHIP, LOVE YOUR TUNES BY THE WAY ISOLATION AND SUFFER 16 STOOD OUT FOR ME, KEEP IT UP, AND STAY IN TOUCH AND BEST WISHES, DARREN 'ENEMY WITHIN'.
it means a lot that you took the time here a song or 2. what are your future plans. I ask this because we try to really establish a connection with both our music and as people :)
Oh, this is a very nice sound and a very nice soundmix. I ..have been known "Die Warzau" month ago but I did..nt know that you are in such creative contact ;o) Wish you all the best - and this could be some kind of music that I would like to hear in my area - so, please ask your management ;o) WHISH YOU A WONDERFULL WEEKEND and maybe we will meet some time!!!!!
Oh OK, In fact it must have been 1996 then... I looked after it and I still do own this Compilation: It's called "Fascist Communist Revolutionaries" and that entire CD is HOT! ;)
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