Died Pretty: Part II

Died Pretty “Winterland” (mp3)

Died Pretty “Everybody Moves” (mp3)

Riding the wave of critical acclaim that the band received in the wake of Free Dirt, Died Pretty spent the next couple of years touring Australia and Europe along with the U.S. and thus solidified their powerful live status that many identified them with. The band did however find time to lay down some recordings that resulted in the “Winterland” single being released near the tail-end of ’87.

This might very well be my favorite track that the band ever did. It’s a dynamite single that immediately grabs your attention with Ron Peno’s “puhtoo!” and it doesn’t let up for the next four minutes and twenty-two seconds of the song. It’s also worth noting that the band’s label, Citadel Records, realized that a choice track deserved a choice picture sleeve. Like most singles released out of Australia (i.e., Waterfront Records, Citadel, etc.) during this time, the "Winterland" 45” was no exception with it’s bold color and striking photograph.

The following year saw the release of Died Pretty’s second full-length album, Lost. Once again released by Citadel Records at home along with Beggars Banquet outside of Australia, the album continued to build on the foundation laid down by Free Dirt, with equal part rockers and ballads proportioned throughout the record. Like its predecessor, Lost is another one of those albums that any serious rock fan should have in their collection, getting pulled from our shelves on a pretty consistent basis. In conjunction, Citadel put out the Pre Deity compilation that collected the band’s first two singles along with the Next To Nothing EP.

The group continued to enjoy critical acclaim but, unlike before, Died Pretty were also beginning to enjoy some minor chart success here and there throughout the world due to their slowly growing fanbase. “Everybody Moves” showed up in 1989, both as a single and on the Positively George Street compilation put out by Citadel Records. The track departed from the band’s heavier garage rock sound and employed more of a traditional pop-rock element that would continue to show up on Died Pretty’s next few albums. More to follow.