Death From Above 1979 Call It Quits

After months of rumors and speculation, Canadian dance-metal punks Death From Above 1979 have called it quits. Bassist Jesse F. Keeler posted a message on the band's MySpace page and website this morning confirming the news.

Keeler wrote that he and drummer Sebastien Grainger had made the decision a year ago, but "we finished off our scheduled tour dates because there were good people working for us who relied on us to make a living and buy Christmas presents and pay rent etc. We couldn't just cancel everything and leave them out to dry."

He added, "Over the last 3 years of touring, Sebastien and I had grown apart to such an extent that the only real time we spoke was just before we would play and during interviews. We both changed so much that the people we were by the end of it probably wouldn't have been friends if they were to meet for the first time again. It's a totally normal function of growing up. Like how your high school boyfriend/girlfriend that meant so much to you would probably be the last person you would date at 30, ya know? That's where we got to. It's not sad. It would be more sad if we stopped changing and growing and kept playing the same songs for 40 years like the rolling stones. For me that would be a nightmare."

Comments

[tsunami bomb]

damn...

[guitar_freak523]

i like death fromabove and it sucks but rolling stones play the music they wanna play.

[duncang]

They were good.

[scoob666]

guitar_freak523 wrote:

i like death fromabove and it sucks but rolling stones play the music they wanna play.

Er...they sound nothing like the Rollisg Stones.

[Biohazard]

haha props to them for... growing up i guess. sucks though, they were amazing.

[efferus]

Such a shame. A really unique sound.

[Guitar_Dude777]

.... rip Dfa '79. good luck to both of the boys. ^^
yes i loved them for their unique sound

[RainingFire]

I saw them with NIN. A sad end to a crazy band. Hope Keeler still drifts around the scene. Hes an amazing bassist.

[hexagram244]

i think im gonna cry!

[totenkopfSG]

crappy band.

They have no room to talk. Mick Jagger and the Stones have made it so much better. I'd rather have a buttload of money playing the same songs over 40 years than whatever they have.

[Fozzie3000]

Gutting, they were so good at Leeds. Their the loudest band I think I have ever seen, consdiering its just 2 people. I shall miss them greatly. However, there is now a gap in the market to start a drum and bass metal/disco group!!

[winterburn69]

I didn't like Death From About 1979, but that comment about the Rolling Stones was uncalled for and they can burn in hell for it, especially since I'm going to see the Rolling Stones in October!!!

[Parker731]

that sucks i actually liked them and im not into that kind of music it really sucks that bands have to break up but at least no one is yelling at them or anything

[frying nemo08]

that is really upsetting

[barney18]

I really loved their album You're a Woman, I'm a Machine - but the remix album Romance Bloody Romance was amazing. I hate to see a good, fun band split, but honestly, they couldn't really go too far in their music. They don't have the variety to do multiple albums.

[Muse#1]

i loved that band, couldn't believe it when i heard yesterday. woulda loved to see them live once and i think they should have done the full band album and remix album before they split. Jesse is going to be on the next queens of the stone age album so that should be cool. I agree with their rolling stones comment, i wouldnt want to play the same style material for my entire career, eg iron maiden, every album they have sounds the same to me but thats my opinion and i respect anyone else on the subject. Except for the guy who said they should burn in hell ?rest in peace dfa 1979

[slashVR]

They were alright, but that guy had no right in being disrespectful to the stones.

[Kurt_Morrelo]

As everyone's said, it's a shame, such a unique sound.
R.I.P. DFA 1979

[pumpkins_rule]

Shut up about The Rolling Stones. All they said was that they never changed their sound, which couldn't be more true. He wasn't being "disrespectful," he was telling the truth. Great band, shame to see them go. I hope MSTRKRFT is just as good.

Checked.

[na10tbolt]

Darn that sucks becasue they were pretty cool. But now I'm even more enthusiastic about the next QOTSA album.

[Muse#1]

i must agree with you there na10tbolt

[DaliLama]

I guess it's back to Sizzler, eh boys?

[SRX700]

Omfg, my life is over.

[efferus]

It's a shame. They had a really unique sound.

[astonmartin]

RainingFire wrote:

I saw them with NIN. A sad end to a crazy band. Hope Keeler still drifts around the scene. Hes an amazing bassist.

He is playing on the new Queens of the Stone Age album

[Smitty101]

meh.. i only got into one song... they wernt bad tho.

[Paddles]

You guys saying they had no right to say that about the Rolling Stones are absolutely right. People should know better than to think they're entitled to an opinion. Jeez.

On a serious note, R.I.P DFA 1979. Here's hoping you two still make music apart from one another.

[jahyarain]

about the whole stones thing...the stones earlier albums were critical to rock n roll. some of the best music ever made. but in the early/mid '80s, they purposefully went commercial. they stopped experimenting musically and have put out nothing but garbage since. they only make money off playing the old songs live anymore. they no longer serve the purpose they once did and need to stop it. yeah, i'm looking at you too Gene Simmons.

[phantom1]

i loved them. they were so unique, sad news

[televasious]

IM SOOOO FUCKING PISSED.

[Liamy]

NOOOOO! I fookin loved DFA1979... their music was a huge influence on me. This is terrible

[hengler]

Heard this the other day, they were great. Maybe not enough variety to go on for years, but they should have released the second album, the whole 'drum+bass/full band/remix' set of releases would have been cool.

I shall miss them

[RHCPhysco8]

They weren't that good to be perfectly honest but I guess it's still kinda upsetting.

[Elespaul100]

i agree with RHCPhyco8...this is the first time i heard of them so i had to listen to some of there songs there pretty unique.. thanks

[true_bacon22]

dammit. They were one of the best canadian bands ever most canadian bands are just ok(boy,sloan) and now th only new good canadian bands are like billy talent,3daysgrace,alexiso
nfire and new sum 41. Damn first the tea party now DFA

[recliner33]

true_bacon22 wrote:

dammit. They were one of the best canadian bands ever most canadian bands are just ok(boy,sloan) and now th only new good canadian bands are like billy talent,3daysgrace,alexiso

nfire and new sum 41. Damn first the tea party now DFA

You're missing classic Canadian rock bands like Rush, BTO and the guess who.

DFA 1979 were a sweet band, I'll miss them but I hope Keeler does a good job on bass for QOTSA's next album.
Also I think people are over exaggerating on the rolling stones comment. I think he was just joking when he said that and even if he meant it it's true. I like the stones but they been around forever doing the same type of songs they were doing since the 60's. It wouldn't surprise me if keeler was a fan of the stones.

[recliner33]

recliner33 wrote:

true_bacon22 wrote:

dammit. They were one of the best canadian bands ever most canadian bands are just ok(boy,sloan) and now th only new good canadian bands are like billy talent,3daysgrace,alexiso


nfire and new sum 41. Damn first the tea party now DFA

You're missing classic Canadian rock bands like Rush, BTO and the guess who.

DFA 1979 were a sweet band, I'll miss them but I hope Keeler does a good job on bass for QOTSA's next album.
Also I think people are over exaggerating on the rolling stones comment. I think he was just joking when he said that and even if he meant it it's true. I like the stones but they been around forever doing the same type of songs they were doing since the 60's. It wouldn't surprise me if keeler was a fan of the stones.

nm, i forgot bto and guess who wasn't around anymore, but bachman and cummings are still out doing their songs. But Rush is still around and hopefully their next album kicks ass.

[SB_Haggard]

APRIL WINE!^

[Friedmaniac]

Steppenwolf!^

[indigo5]

no ****ing way man, i was so stoked about their new album coming out this year. this sucks so much cock

[alexeipaish]

I remember first seeing them in Montreal, it's a real shame to see them go. It's good for QUOTSA though, im stoked for thier new album.

As for the stones issue, he wasn't saying the stones we're bad, he just said he doesn't want to be like them. I don't blame him.

By the way, you missed the good canadian indie bands like The Arcade Fire, Stars, Metric, Mobile, and The New Pornografers.

[neidnarb11890]

bummer

[MOnkeytoss]

Awesome band!!! One of the only good bands to come out in the past 5 years or so.

Really, extremely sad to see them go.

[cap'nkirk]

that sucks ass... great band... i never got to see them live and it feels even worse.

[bush_slayer_07]

guys they werent really downing the stones he just didnt want to play the same songs forever on end and never change as a person, which the stones even though are agreat band of legendary perportions they havnt changed really since they formed way back when,i say if ya like the band be sad other wise why are you even reading the article

checked

and you all forgot to name on of the greatest band out of canada, bare naked ladies.

[cap'nkirk]

and about the stones comment, i wouldn't take it as a personal attack or anything. I'm sure he just didn't want to be playing the same sort of songs 40 years from now, and i have to agree with him on that. the stones are great, but the haven't really changed their sound, at least not in the last 20 years.

[smb]

DFA1979 were amazing live, if you never saw them you missed out big time. This announcement had been a long time coming, but it's still sad for them to call it quits. I can't wait to hear the next Queens album though - it's gonna be really good.

[Nybb]

Crap, I was just starting to get into them too. Well, at least both of them are staying on the music scene, notably with QOTSA as has been said. lol @ how the article classified them - "dance-metal punks."

And like, +5000 cool points to Keeler for the little shot at the Rolling Stones at the end lol

[shinguards13]

totenkopfSG wrote:

crappy band.

They have no room to talk. Mick Jagger and the Stones have made it so much better. I'd rather have a buttload of money playing the same songs over 40 years than whatever they have.

wow...your ignorant. and hey, maybe they didn't do it for the money...WOAH! grow up

[atdi420]

totenkopfSG wrote:

crappy band.

They have no room to talk. Mick Jagger and the Stones have made it so much better. I'd rather have a buttload of money playing the same songs over 40 years than whatever they have.

yeh and thats whats wrong with you

[Autumn Shadows]

They weren't half bad

[fuzzle3]

*cries*

[Guitaroooo_Man]

found out about this a few days ago, I about cried. so sad. Keeler is playing bass for queens of the stone age on their new album. I just hope jesse starts a new band with just bass and drums, coz that was a ****ing brilliant combo.

[murray_lindsay]

I saw them play in a little shitty club in St. john NB Canada three years ago and they blew me away. They were so loud and such a unique sound.
I am saddened to hear that they have spilt up but they were able to accomplish every one of their dreams like getting a gold record in Canada and playing festivals with some awesome bands, people like Dave Grohl name checking them and wearing their t shirt.
It would be sweet with the bassist joining QOTSA and hopefully they can get Grohl on board as well.. that line up would be sweet.
I agree 100 percent about the stones comment because they are unorginal and havent put out a good album in almost thirty years. they are a dinosaur band that deserves to die off as opposed to getting media coverage that upcoming bands deserve more. Screw you Rolling Stones

[Dead Marshal]

has no one else noticed that they got the names the wrong way round?

JESSE IS THE DRUMMER
SEBASTIEN IS THE BASSIST

[Drew_Entreri]

Dead Marshal wrote:

has no one else noticed that they got the names the wrong way round?

JESSE IS THE DRUMMER
SEBASTIEN IS THE BASSIST

Actually, they have the names correct.
Sebastien Grainger is the drummer and singer.
Jesse Keeler is the bassist and plays Synth.

[Strat92]

I saw them play a few years ago and they were amazing...i love their music. This really sucks

[Infamou$17]

They singlehandedly made me want to play bass guitar.

And the Stones, I think Jesse has a good point. Yeah you would make a lot of money, yet at the same time you are unoriginal and subsequently not too much more than a grand-scale f***ing sellout. So like Bear Vs Shark, I'd rather break up young with a small catalog that completely fails to disappoint, than play the same s**t over and over again for eternity, I say that because the way things look the Stones will be using the advanced technologies of the future to gain eternal life and keep playing "Start Me Up" and such, centuries into the future. While their earlier stuff is important, they would have been better ooff breaking up while the shit was fresh, then did a big reunion thing so they could still make money. So all of you who defend the Stones no matter what happens, even if Mick Jagger were to call your mother a dirty *****, chill out and face the facts

[FinderofNemo]

Infamou$17 :
They singlehandedly made me want to play bass guitar.

Yeah, same.