God Lives Underwater - History

History

Supposedly, the name "God Lives Underwater" was derived from Jeff Turzo's previous band GLU, from which David Reilly used the initials as a backronym to form the band's name. Stated influences of the band's sound include Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, The Psychedelic Furs, and Spiritualized. Reilly disparaged uses of "electronica" in reference to the band in 1998, suggesting that "techno" would be more appropriate, but ultimately saying that he would prefer the label "pop band".

God Lives Underwater was the first EP released by God Lives Underwater in 1995 but recorded in 1993. "No More Love" was also released on the band's first album Empty. The song "Drag Me Down" was featured in the movie The Doom Generation and "No More Love" was featured as the credits began to roll at the end of the commercially successful Keanu Reeves film Johnny Mnemonic (film). The EP consists of 6 tracks.

Empty is God Lives Underwater's first full length album, released in October 1995 via American Recordings. Several songs have been featured from this album for movies; "Tortoise" was used in the movie National Lampoon's Senior Trip, "No More Love" was used in Johnny Mnemonic, "Drag Me Down" was used in The Doom Generation, and "Weight"—an outtake from Empty—was featured in Mortal Kombat: More Kombat. The album consists of 11 tracks (5 on re-release). In addition, their remix of the Rob Zombie song, "How To Make A Monster", was featured in the climatic scene of another commercially successful Keanu Reeves film, The Watcher (film). Reeves reportedly suggested to the producers of the film that they use the song, as God Lives Underwater was one of his favorite bands, having appeared as the song at the end of his previously aforementioned film, Johnny Mnemonic.

Life in the So-Called Space Age is the 1998 album released by God Lives Underwater and is their second full length album. The title comes from the cover of the Depeche Mode album Black Celebration, where it appears in quotes on the back, while the front cover features a distorted view of a skyscraper. The song "From Your Mouth" appeared in the 2000 movie Gossip. The album consists of 11 tracks. It topped number 137 on the U.S. Billboard in April 1998, which it maintained being on the chart for two weeks. "Medicated to the one I Love", the last track on the album, lasts up to 32:24, making it a significantly long song, and the bands longest song ever released. Allmusic gave the album four stars. Rearrange EP is the 1998 promotional EP released by God Lives Underwater and is their second EP album. The EP consists of 5 tracks. Their 1998 single "From Your Mouth" peaked at number seven-teen on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart, supported by an unusual music video directed by Roman Coppola, featuring champion hot-dog eater Hirofumi Nakajima removing vast quantities of food 'from his mouth'. The video footage is actually a single take played in reverse, which was achieved after five other takes (each of which required Nakajima to stuff his face).

Contractual entanglements and a label bankruptcy postponed the release of their follow-up album Up Off The Floor, and was finally released in 2004 on an independent label, but by that time, the core members of God Lives Underwater had split up and moved on to other projects. Up Off the Floor caused numerous complaints amongst fans about the quality of the album's mastering, as well as complaints that two of the more well-known songs from the album's sessions ("Choir Boy" and "Fame") were removed and not included in the official release for undisclosed reasons. The album was, however, released to somewhat modest success. In addition, their cover of the classic David Bowie hit "Fame" was the main song featured in the highly successful Robert De Niro film 15 Minutes, and the film's soundtrack also featured the track "1% (The Long Way Down)", in addition to "Fame". The album consists of 10 tracks and is the last album by God Lives Underwater.

Jeff Turzo started Wired All Wrong with Matt Mahaffey while David Reilly pursued a solo career. Band member David Reilly died in his sleep on the morning of October 16, 2005 from complications of a coma brought on by bleeding, as a result of tooth infection. He was 34 years old. A book about David Reilly was released on 10/16/07 titled "Dreams Are Unfinished Thoughts" by Brian Paone, longtime friend of David and the band with all proceeds from the book going to David's nephew.