History
The band was formed in Los Angeles, California during the punk rock movement. The original lineup consisted of Dinah Cancer on vocals, Paul Cutler (formerly of The Consumers) on guitar, Rob Ritter (also known as Rob Graves of The Bags) on bass, and Don Bolles (of The Germs) on drums. The band evolved out of an industrial music band called Vox Pop, who recorded two singles and played around the Los Angeles area, specifically in punk institution The Masque. Vox Pop contained all of the members of 45 Grave as well as others such as Jeff Dahl. Vox Pop continued to coexist with 45 Grave until early 1981. The band's name, despite rumors to the contrary, was lifted from a button.
In 1980, 45 Grave recorded their first released song, "Riboflavin Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Poly-Unsaturated Blood", included on the LAFMS (Los Angeles Free Music Society) art rock compilation album, Darker Skratcher. The song was a cover version of novelty song originally performed by Don Hinson And The Rigamorticians on their 1964 album release Monster Dance Party. The 45 Grave recording (as with the original, produced by Gary S. Paxton of Skip & Flip) achieved cult status and became a signature song of the band's live sets.
Early on, the band began by playing the Consumers songs that Cutler had written, with lyrics changed to fit Cancer's singing style, before concentrating on composing new material like "Black Cross" (issued as their first single, featuring Pat Smear of The Germs on guitar) and a fast-paced punk song called "Party Time" (which was later slowed down and reworked on their 1983 debut album and sole studio release, Sleep in Safety. Another signature 45 Grave track, "Evil," was featured on MTV, and band members appeared as extras in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.
Despite never achieving major success, 45 Grave are recognized as being one of the first American gothic bands, predating the formation of Christian Death. Allmusic cites them as a top artist in the Goth rock genre, and the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles lists 45 Grave and Christian Death as "early proponents of American Gothic Rock."
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