Dead Legend

Dead Legend formed in 2000 as a three piece when they were 14 years old, cut an 8 song EP and began playing shows all over Connecticut and Massachusetts. By 2002 they had built up a solid following by performing over 200 shows in New England. After the release of their second EP "In Stereo" they received label and management interest. Dead Legend signed with a management company out of NYC and virtually disappeared for a few years. Behind the scenes they honed our skills as songwriters and players. They got to miss school and go record in New York City at studios where AC/DC, The Rolling Stones and The Black Crowes recorded. They were produced by Grammy award winning producers, but soon fell into a rut of trying to please everybody. Management said they were waiting for a "hit" song. They built a home studio and wrote and scrapped dozens of songs. But the management never heard the "hit." "What is a hit anyway?", they began to wonder. A song is only a hit after the general population likes it. But that song had to have been given a chance. So how can a single person decide what is or isn't a "hit?" They can't. They began to resent the major label mentality. In 2004 with a new found do-it-yourself attitude and no one to answer to, Dead Legend began writing songs that challenged them. Songs they were proud of on every level. The songs grew heavier and the aesthetics darker. Upon graduating high school they packed our bags, bought a van and moved to Los Angeles. After living in LA for a few months Dead Legend recorded and released "Predawn Hours" a 6 song EP, produced by James Book (The Flys, Mozart). The first track "Into Flames" received airplay on 13 college stations throughout the country and for over 15 weeks remained on the Top 20 Countdown on local college station 107.7 WACC. The song "False Alarm" also appears in "The Parallel" a feature film due to be in theaters later this year. Shortly after the release of "Predawn Hours" the pressure grew to find a second guitar player. The songs were becoming more intricate and could not be replicated live with just one guitar. Dead Legend took a big chance and moved back to Connecticut to work with an old friend. They worked tirelessly with him, crafting their live show and new songs but in the end it came down to college for him. Dead Legend carried on as a three piece for several months performing stripped down versions of their songs live and demoing new songs in TJ's home studio. In June of 2006 Sam Janik entered the equation, sharing the same passion and insanity to want to get in a van and tour non stop. Finally with all the pieces in place, Dead Legend jumped at the oppurtunity to follow the 2006 Van's Warped Tour. The overwhelming response from the fans at Warped Tour gave them the confidence and urgency to book several mini tours thoughout the North East as well as their first national tour this coming Spring. --(Bio by Ryan Michael)