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Demented are Go are an English psychobilly band that were formed in 1982. They were one of the earliest crop of psychobilly bands, and as a result, are considered to be influential to the psychobilly scene. Their name is often shortened to "DAG." The band often claims their name originated from the phrase "Demon teds are go!," an adaptation of the phrase "Thunderbirds are go!" from the Thunderbirds TV series, as fans of rockabilly are known as teds and psychobilly is often associated with horror.
History
Demented are Go got their start living in the same squat in London. As they had no electricity, they would write songs acoustically by candlelight. Their first release was a song on a 1984 Nervous Records' compilation, Hell's Bent On Rockin. This was an important break for the band, as Nervous Records is well-known in the psychobilly scene. In 1986, they released their first album, In Sickness and in Health, on ID Records. This was followed with their second full-length, Kicked Out Of Hell, in 1988. The band began extensively touring Europe and gained both a psychobilly and punk following. At this point, the lead singer, Sparky, began becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, resulting in numerous line-up changes.
In 1989, the band went back to the studio. Although they had no songs, they were able to write and record an EP for Link Records, The Day the Earth Spat Blood, within the span of three days. The band went on another European tour in 1991, writing and recording their next full-length for Fury Records, Orgasmic Nightmare, on the road. The band would tour almost constantly for the next two years. A second album for Fury, Tangenital Madness, would be recorded in 1993, followed by two tours in Japan. The band became infamous for Sparky showing up to Japanese performances naked.
During a tour in Germany in spring 1995, the band broke up due to Sparky's deteriorating mental state. However, the split was short-lived. In 1996, Demented are Go reformed to release the EP I Wanna See You Bleed for Pin-Up Records. The band toured the west coast of the USA in 1997. They would again be known more for their wild stage show, which included on-stage sex with vacuum cleaners.
The band released the full-length Hellucifernation for Crazy Love Records in 1999. However, a European tour for the record's release would be cancelled due to Sparky's mental problems returning. The band considered breaking up, but were offered a headlining gig in New Jersey and decided to give Sparky a second try. Upon arrival, Sparky first caused trouble at the hotel by cross-dressing and doing drugs, then set fire to a surrounding woodland at the concert venue. After their soundcheck, the band went to a nearby shopping mall where Sparky pinched a girl's behind. She turned out to only be 16, so he was arrested and charged with molesting a minor. Unable to pay the $60 000 (US) bail, the rest of the band left him in jail and returned to England.
After a month in jail and a $100 fine, Sparky returned to England where the Demented are Go line-up underwent numerous changes. The band went through a period of stability, playing two US tours and recording a live album, Live at the Galaxy, for Crazy Love Records. However, in the summer of 2003, Sparky was arrested numerous times on the road, resulting in another line-up crisis. The band is currently touring with a revolving line-up lead by Sparky. At present, they have a new record deal with Germany's People Like You Records, and are recording a new album tentatively titled Hellbilly Storm.
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