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The Fierce and the Dead

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The Fierce and the Dead
The Fierce and the Dead in 2024
The Fierce and the Dead in 2024
Background information
OriginLondon, England
GenresPost-rock, progressive rock, stoner rock, space rock, instrumental rock
Years active2010–present
LabelsBad Elephant, Spencer Park
Websitewww.fierceandthedead.com

The Fierce and the Dead (often abbreviated as TFATD) are a rock band formed in London in 2010. Initially known for instrumental post-rock, stoner rock[1] and progressive rock compositions, they began incorporating vocals with their 2023 album, News from the Invisible World.[2] The band members are originally from Rushden, Northamptonshire.[3] They have released four studio albums and three EPs, toured with Hawkwind[4] and have appeared at festivals including Ramblin' Man Fair[5] and ArcTanGent.[6] They were nominated at the Progressive Music Awards, once in 2013[7] and twice in 2018.[8] Guitar.com noted that they had "cultivated a large following by using both traditional and modern means".[9]

History

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Formation and Early Years (2010–2012)

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The Fierce and the Dead began as an experimental recording project initiated by guitarist Matt Stevens, drummer Stuart Marshall and producer/bassist Kevin Feazey, as part of the recording of Stevens' second solo album.[10] This resulted in the release of the Part 1 EP in February 2010.[1]

Their debut album, If It Carries on Like This We Are Moving to Morecambe, was released in 2011 featuring saxophone by Terry Edwards.[11]

In 2012 they added guitarist Steve Cleaton and released the On VHS EP.[12] An appearance on snooker player Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi's radio show on Phoenix FM[13] led to a UK tour with Torabi's band Knifeworld.[14]

Spooky Action (2013–2017)

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In 2013, The Fierce and the Dead were nominated for the Limelight award at the UK's Progressive Music Awards, an event organised by Prog magazine.[15]

Their second album Spooky Action was released in October 2013 via Bad Elephant Music, which was reviewed positively by Malcolm Dome in Prog magazine (later republished on the Louder Sound website),[16] The Progressive Aspect[17] and Echoes and Dust.[18] Actor Mark Benton also cited the album as a favourite in a 2020 feature for Louder Sound.[19]

In 2014 the band headlined the Strangeforms festival in Leeds with Codes In The Clouds.[20] Feazey and Stevens both appeared in the 2014 Prog Magazine Readers' Poll in their respective categories.[21]

The Magnet EP was released in 2015 on Bad Elephant Music.[22] Music Radar described it as "a furious burst of noisy, punk-edged instrumental rock".[23] They played at the ArcTanGent festival 2015.[24]

The band appeared at the 2016 Ramblin' Man Fair in Kent, sharing the bill with acts including Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind and Europe[25] where they recorded their Field Recordings live album.[26] They played the 2016 HRH Prog festival, the headliners were Focus, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and Soft Machine.[27]

In 2017, they played their first US show at RoSfest in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania which also featured Neal Morse and Änglagård.[28] This show was recorded for the Live USA 17 album.[29]

The Euphoric (2018–2022)

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In 2018, the band released their third album The Euphoric, which received positive reviews from Louder Sound[30] and Echoes and Dust.[31] The album's cover was by Mark Buckingham (comic book artist).[32] The band were played by Stuart Maconie on BBC 6 Music[33] and featured in the Prog Magazine writers best albums of 2018.[34] They were nominated for Best Band at Prog Magazine's 2018 Progressive Music Awards.[35]

In 2019, they performed in Germany for the first time at the Freak Valley Festival,[36] with God Is An Astronaut and Corrosion Of Conformity.

In 2020 the band released the Show Me Devon: Live At Kozfest '19 live album.[37]They played their final show of 2020 at the Hope & Anchor in London which was recorded for the Live at the Hope & Anchor EP.[38] [39]In September 2020, the band took part in the Prog From Home online concert alongside Haken, Neal Morse, and Steve Hackett.[40]

In 2022, the band performed at the Prognosis Festival in the Netherlands alongside Enslaved (band) and Katatonia.[41] They also appeared at the HRH Prog Festival the same year, which featured Rick Wakeman, Hawklords, and Wishbone Ash.[42] They played in Italy with Hawkwind, Gong (band), Tangerine Dream and Atomic Rooster at the 2 Days Of Prog Plus One Festival, which was filmed for DVD release.[43]

News From The Invisible World (2023–present)

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In 2023, the band released their fourth album, News from the Invisible World,[44] which featured lead vocals from bassist Kevin Feazey with Terry Edwards on saxophone and cover art by Mark Buckingham.[45] Prog Magazine (republished at Louder Sound) praised the album for its "taut songwriting" and profiled the band.[46] It was voted the 4th best album of 2023 in the Classic Rock Magazine readers' poll[47] and was also included in Louder Sound's roundup of the best progressive rock albums of the year.[48]They placed third in the Best Band category in the 2023 Prog Magazine Readers' Poll.[49]

In 2024, they expanded to a five-piece, with Tom Hunt joining as a vocalist, keyboardist, and percussionist and released the Live At Ramsgate Music Hall '24 album.[50] Golden Thread from News From The Invisible World was remixed by Porcupine Tree's Colin Edwin and released in February 2024.[51]

The band headlined the 2024 A Sunday in September festival, supported by iamthemorning[52] and headlined Winter's End Festival which also featured Tim Bowness, Oliver Wakeman and Solstice (British rock band).[53] They also played a short UK headline tour.[54]

In 2025 the band played Portals Festival at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) with Julie Christmas and And So I Watch You from Afar.[55]

Musical style and influences

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The Fierce and The Dead's sound blends elements of post-rock, stoner rock, prog rock, math rock, space rock, and shoegaze.[56][57][1] Guitar Player Magazine referred to them as art rock.[58]

Influences cited by the band include King Crimson, Flaming Lips, Black Flag(Band), Voivod, Slowdive, Chicago Transit Authority, Carcass, Radiohead, Nirvana, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Soundgarden, Ozric Tentacles, Napalm Death, The Groundhogs, Smashing Pumpkins, Bobby Conn, Monster Magnet, Faith No More, Hüsker Dü, Kyuss, Bad Brains, and Cardiacs.[59][60][61][62][63][64] In an interview in Bass Guitar (magazine) Feazey spoke specifically of the influence of John Wetton and Billy Gould on his bass playing. [65]

The Fierce and The Dead have been compared by critics to Deftones, Hawkwind, The Stooges, King Crimson, Mogwai, The Cure, Electric Wizard, Talking Heads, Television, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Electric Prunes, The Dillinger Escape Plan, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, and Big Black.[66][50][67][68][69][70]

In a 2018 interview with MusicRadar, Stevens stated that he used Fender Mexican Telecaster and Shergold Masquerader guitars and a RedBear MK 60 amplifier. His pedalboard at the time included an Eventide H9, Montreal Assembly Count to 5, EarthQuaker Devices Palisades, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star, and a Line 6 DL4.[71]

Band members

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  • Kevin Feazey – bass, lead vocals, keyboards, production (2010–present)
  • Matt Stevens – guitar, keyboards, programming (2010–present)
  • Stuart Marshall – drums, percussion (2010–present)
  • Steve Cleaton – guitar, programming (2012–present)
  • Tom Hunt – keyboards, backing vocals, percussion (2024–present)

Discography

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Studio Albums

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  • If It Carries on Like This We Are Moving to Morecambe (2011)
  • Spooky Action (2013)
  • The Euphoric (2018)
  • News from the Invisible World (2023)

EPs

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  • Part 1 EP (2010)
  • On VHS EP (2012)
  • Magnet EP (2015)

Live Albums

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  • Field Recordings (2017)
  • Live USA 17 (2019) – UK Album Downloads Chart No. 44 on 17 October 2019[72]
  • Show Me Devon: Live At Kozfest '19 (2020)
  • Live at Ramsgate Music Hall '24 (2024)

Live EP

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  • Live at the Hope & Anchor (2020)

Awards and nominations

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  • 2013 – Limelight Award (Progressive Music Awards – nominated)
  • 2018 – Best Band and Best Album (Progressive Music Awards – nominated)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Tokafi.com The Fierce and the Dead: Part 1". Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  2. ^ ""In the context of Matt's cancer, and stuff going on in the wider world, why are we worrying about if anybody's going to like this?" The Fierce And The Dead refocused for News From The Invisible World". Louder Sound. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Not many bands have played Summer's End, ArcTanGent and with Hawkwind – welcome to the world of The Fierce and the Dead". Louder Sound. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Photo review: Hawkwind at Dreamland". The Isle of Thanet News. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Ramblin' Man Fair 2016 Announces Full Lineup". Just Listen to This. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  6. ^ Mazierska, Ewa; Gillon, Les; Rigg, Tony, eds. (2018). Popular Music in the Post-Digital Age: Politics, Economy, Culture and Technology. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 83. ISBN 9781501338397. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Progressive Music Awards unveils 2013 nominees". PRS for Music. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Prog Awards Nominations 2018". Louder Sound/Prog Magazine. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  9. ^ "How to be a successful independent band in 2024". Guitar.com. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  10. ^ Prasad, Anil (2015). "Matt Stevens: The Fierce and the Dead". Innerviews. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  11. ^ "DPRP - Album Reviews - Issue 2011-032". 27 July 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Prog Magazine - The Fierce And The Dead: On VHS EP". 23 May 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Steve Davis Fierce & The Dead Special on Phoenix FM". Phoenix FM. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Knifeworld & Trojan Horse set for UK tour: Bands will be joined by The Fierce and the Dead on the Stabbing a Dead Horse tour this autumn". The Quietus. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  15. ^ "Progressive Music Awards unveils 2013 nominees". PRS for Music. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Prog Magazine - The Fierce and the Dead – Spooky Action review". Louder Sound. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  17. ^ "The Progressive Aspect - The Fierce and the Dead – Spooky Action review". The Progressive Aspect. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Echoes & Dust - The Fierce and the Dead – Spooky Action review". Echoes and Dust. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  19. ^ "My Record Collection: Mark Benton". Louder Sound. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Echoes & Dust LIVE: STRANGEFORMS FESTIVAL. WHARF CHAMBERS, LEEDS. 19TH & 20TH APRIL 2014". Echoes and Dust. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Prog Readers' Poll 2014". Louder Sound. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Prog Magazine The Fierce And The Dead: Magnet". 4 September 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Music Radar - The Fierce & The Dead's Matt Stevens picks 10 essential prog-rock albums". 11 August 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Not many bands have played Summer's End, ArcTanGent and with Hawkwind – welcome to the world of The Fierce And The Dead". Louder Sound. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  25. ^ "Ramblin' Man Fair 2016 Announces Full Lineup". Just Listen to This. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  26. ^ "THE FIERCE AND THE DEAD – "FIELD RECORDINGS"". The Prog Mind. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  27. ^ "Echoes & Dust(((O))) : FESTIVAL REVIEW: HRH PROG 2016". 7 July 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  28. ^ "The Fierce and the Dead confirmed for RoSfest 2017". Progradar. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  29. ^ "Exclusive Track Premiere: The Fierce And The Dead – Andy Fox". Echoes & Dust. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Louder Sound/Prog - The Fierce and the Dead – The Euphoric review". Louder Sound. June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  31. ^ "Echoes & Dust - The Fierce and the Dead – The Euphoric". Echoes and Dust. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  32. ^ "The Progressive Aspect". Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  33. ^ "BBC 6 Music". BBC 6 Music. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  34. ^ "Prog Writers' Albums Of The Year 2018". Louder Sound/Prog Magazine. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  35. ^ "Prog Awards Nominations 2018". Louder Sound/Prog Magazine. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  36. ^ "Freak Valley Festival 2019 third announcement". The Obelisk. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  37. ^ "The Fierce and The Dead — Show Me Devon (Live at Kozfest '19)". Prog. No. 111. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  38. ^ "The Fierce & The Dead: Live At Ramsgate Music Hall '24". Prog. No. 154. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  39. ^ Jerry Ewing (15 November 2019). "The Fierce And The Dead announce March London show". Loudersound. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  40. ^ "Watch 'Prog From Home' All-Star Virtual Concert". The Prog Report. 9 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  41. ^ "The Fierce and the Dead @ Prognosis Festival 2022". The Progspace. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  42. ^ "HRH Prog XI (Day One)". The Progressive Aspect. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  43. ^ "The Best of 2Days Prog+1 Veruno September 2, 3 & 4 2022 [2DVD]". Maracash Records. Maracash. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  44. ^ "Psychedelic Scene - The Fierce & The Dead – News From The Invisible World". Psychedelic Scene. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  45. ^ Rogers, Pete (14 June 2023). "The Fierce And The Dead – News From The Invisible World". The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  46. ^ "Louder Sound - The Fierce And The Dead – News From The Invisible World review". Louder Sound. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  47. ^ "The Classic Rock Readers' Albums Of 2023". Louder Sound. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  48. ^ "The 10 best prog albums of 2023". Louder Sound. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  49. ^ "The PROG READERS' POLL 2023". Prog Issue 147. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  50. ^ a b "Prog/Loudersound live album review". Loudersound. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  51. ^ "Colin Edwin remixes The Fierce and the Dead's Golden Thread". Louder Sound. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  52. ^ "The Fierce and the Dead announced as headliners for A Sunday in September". Louder Sound. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  53. ^ "The Progressive Aspect: Winter's End Progressive Rock Festival – Day Two". The Progressive Aspect. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  54. ^ "The Fierce and the Dead add more live dates for October". 6 October 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  55. ^ "The Fierce And The Dead and Brontide among first bands announced for Portals 2025". Louder Sound. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  56. ^ "Prog Magazine - The Fierce And The Dead: On VHS EP". 23 May 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  57. ^ ""In the context of Matt's cancer, and stuff going on in the wider world, why are we worrying about if anybody's going to like this?" The Fierce And The Dead refocused for News From The Invisible World". Louder Sound. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  58. ^ "Guitar Player Magazine, December 2011". Flickr. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  59. ^ "Not many bands have played Summer's End, ArcTanGent and with Hawkwind – welcome to the world of The Fierce and The Dead". Louder Sound. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  60. ^ "Music Radar - The Fierce & The Dead's Matt Stevens picks 10 essential prog-rock albums". 11 August 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  61. ^ Prasad, Anil (2015). "Matt Stevens: The Fierce and the Dead". Innerviews. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  62. ^ "The Progressive Aspect Matt Stevens & Kev Feazey – The Fierce And The Dead". The Progressive Aspect. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  63. ^ "The Fierce & The Dead Announce New Album "News From The Invisible World"". The Prog Report. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  64. ^ "Under the Influence with Stuart Marshall from The Fierce and the Dead". Echoes and Dust. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  65. ^ "Bass Guitar Magazine, October 2015". Flickr. October 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  66. ^ "Prog Magazine - The Fierce and The Dead – Spooky Action review". Louder Sound. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  67. ^ "REVIEW: THE FIERCE AND THE DEAD – NEWS FROM THE INVISIBLE WORLD". Echoes & Dust. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  68. ^ "Prog Magazine - The Fierce And The Dead: On VHS EP". 23 May 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  69. ^ ""In the context of Matt's cancer, and stuff going on in the wider world, why are we worrying about if anybody's going to like this?" The Fierce And The Dead refocused for News From The Invisible World". Louder Sound. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  70. ^ "Under the Influence with Stuart Marshall from The Fierce and the Dead". Echoes and Dust. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  71. ^ "The Fierce And The Dead's Matt Stevens: "This is my essential guitar gear"". MusicRadar. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  72. ^ "Official Charts". Official Charts. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
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