Leeno Dee | |
|---|---|
 Dee in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Industrial rock, alternative rock, alternative metal, gothic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Bass guitar, vocals |
Leeno Dee is an Australian-born bassist, singer and songwriter, best known for his major label acts Jerk, Candy Harlots and his current band Dept. of Gloom.
Dee was born in Sydney and was bitten by the music bug at the age of 8, "I heard The Sweet and was totally floored-then came Slade, Alice Cooper, Bowie and that whole landslide of British glam". At 12, he began playing guitar and at 16 switched to bass, which became his main instrument." I had always gravitated to the bassist in bands-even when I didn't know what a bss was-they just seemed the coolest, or wackiest- like Steve Priest, from Sweet-then when I saw Gene Simmons on the cover of KISS Alive-I was done for" (BassBusters POD 2020)
Dee [1] formed Dept. of Gloom [2] in June 2016 with longtime cohort guitarist Phil Bowley and drummer AJ. In August 2016, the lineup was completed with former Genitorturers guitarist Bizz Tronix. Following a string of shows, the band entered the studio in March/April 2018 to record their debut EP set for release in the second half of 2018. That EP was postponed, and following COVID-19 the band began recording a full-length debut album, set for a mid/late 2022 release. Dept. of Gloom also opened for American hard rockers Skid Row, Hardcore Superstar and others, and also headlined their own shows.
In 2010, Dee formed Melody Black who released an album - Love Your Demons [3] - on the RIOT label through Warner Music Group. The album featured nine songs all composed by Dee. [4] In 2012, their cover of The Sweet's classic glam anthem Ballroom Blitz reached the number 1 position on iTunes Chart in Australia. Melody Black [5] also toured with various acts, including Rose Tattoo and Misfits.
In 2006, Dee became part of INK along with former Jerk members Charles Cilia and Jonathan Devoy. They released two CDs: Lead...Or Follow and Black Water Reign, and toured extensively, including runs with Deathstars, 69 Eyes and Skid Row.
In 2000, Dee was asked to join industrial metal band Jerk, [6] recording and releasing their debut self-titled EP in 2001. This led to the band being signed to a worldwide deal with Sony Music. [7] In June, Dee visited Los Angeles where in addition to meeting with several music industry types he attended the Summer Party at Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills. Jerk then recorded their debut major label album When Pure Is Defiled, which reached No. 31 on the ARIA Charts [8] and spawned two number 1 Triple J singles, I Hate People Like That and Just What You Need. The album was produced in Sydney and Los Angeles with both Mark Opitz (INXS, AC/DC, Steelheart) and Sean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, Depeche Mode) at Beavan's Blue Room Studios in L.A. Jerk toured with Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Insane Clown Posse, P.O.D. and Killing Joke, amongst others. The band also made many TV appearances including MTV, Rage, Channel V and others, in addition to a crowd stopping appearance at the ARIA Music Awards in 2003.
Dee's first professional band saw him become the third and final bassist in Candy Harlots. Following a string of shows including tours with Divinyls, The Angels and AC/DC, and releasing two No. 1 and No. 2 alternative chart singles Red Hot Rocket and Danger, the band signed a deal with Virgin Records. Their album Five Wicked Ways was produced by Peter Blyton (Choirboys). Dee then flew to L.A. for three weeks to oversee the mix sessions with Jeff Hendrickson (Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Vain). The album spawned two charting singles: The Lady Shakes (No. 17 ARIA) and Sister's Crazy (No. 20 ARIA).
Dee currently plays Rickenbacker 4003S/4000 basses, Tech 21VTB 1969 amplifiers, Markbass CL410 CABS, Korg Pitch-black Rack Tuner Pro, Line 6 Relay G50 Wireless System, and GHS strings. Previous endorsements include Ashdown amps UK, Markbass amps Italy and RotoSound strings UK.[ citation needed ]
Marilyn Manson is an American rock band formed by namesake lead singer Marilyn Manson and guitarist Daisy Berkowitz in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1989. Originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids, they gained a local cult following in South Florida in the early 1990s with their theatrical live performances. In 1993, they were the first act signed to Trent Reznor's Nothing Records label. Until 1996, the name of each member was created by combining the first name of a female sex symbol and the last name of a male serial killer—for example, Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. Their lineup has changed between many of their album releases; the eponymous lead singer is the only remaining original member.
Portrait of an American Family is the debut studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on July 19, 1994, by Nothing and Interscope Records. The group was formed in 1989 by vocalist Marilyn Manson and guitarist Daisy Berkowitz, whose names were created by combining the given name of a pop culture icon with the surname of a serial killer: a naming convention which all other band members would conform to for the next seven years. The most prominent lineup of musicians during their formative years included keyboardist Madonna Wayne Gacy, bassist Gidget Gein and drummer Sara Lee Lucas.
Tim Skold is a Swedish musician and record producer who produces solo work and has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM, Marilyn Manson and Motionless in White.
Antichrist Superstar is the second studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on October 8, 1996, by Nothing and Interscope Records. It was recorded at Nothing Studios in New Orleans and produced by the band's eponymous vocalist along with Sean Beavan, former Skinny Puppy producer Dave Ogilvie and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. The recording of the album was marred by excessive drug use, which provoked a high level of antagonism between band members. Consequently, it was their last release to feature contributions from founding guitarist Daisy Berkowitz, who was acrimoniously fired partway through recording.
Mechanical Animals is the third studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on September 15, 1998, by Interscope Records. The album marked a major shift from the industrial metal and alternative metal styles of the band's earlier efforts, into an experimentation with 1970s glam rock with industrial rock and electronic rock styles. As their first release following the success of their breakthrough album, 1996's Antichrist Superstar, Mechanical Animals' themes primarily deals with the trappings of fame and drug abuse.
Smells Like Children is an EP by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on October 24, 1995, by Nothing and Interscope Records. Produced by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, it represents an era of the band full of drugs, abuses, tours, sound experiments, and references to the Child Catcher, a villain from the 1968 musical film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Jeordie Osbourne White, better known Twiggy Ramirez or simply Twiggy, is an American musician, mostly known as the former bassist and guitarist of the rock band Marilyn Manson. Previously, he was the bassist for A Perfect Circle and a touring member of Nine Inch Nails, and is currently the vocalist for Goon Moon. He left Marilyn Manson in 2002, later rejoined the band in 2008, and was dismissed in 2017. He has been a principal songwriter for the band and has also contributed to some of the Desert Sessions recordings. He also hosted the Hour of Goon podcast with fellow musician Fred Sablan, on the Starburns Audio network.
Jerk were an Australian industrial metal band formed in 1998. They released a sole album, When Pure Is Defiled, with the line-up of Charles Cilia, Leeno Dee, Johnathan Devoy and Lamar Lowder, which peaked at No. 38 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their song "Sucked In" was used in the video games, Need for Speed: Underground and NHL 2004. Jerk supported gigs by Marilyn Manson, Insane Clown Posse, Killing Joke and Disturbed on their respective tours.
Sean Beavan is a musician, record producer, and audio engineer best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Guns N' Roses, God Lives Underwater, and Slayer. His production style is typically heavy, with heavily saturated guitars, but his work is diverse and wide-ranging as exemplified by bands like No Doubt to System of a Down, to indie bands like Thrice, Envy on the Coast, Hypernova (band), 8mm, and even death metal band Morbid Angel.
"The Beautiful People" is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released as the lead single from the band's second studio album, Antichrist Superstar, in September 1996. Classified as alternative metal, the song was written by frontman Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez, and was produced by Trent Reznor, Dave Ogilvie and Manson.
"The Dope Show" is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released in September 1998 as the lead single from their third studio album Mechanical Animals. The lyrics were written by Marilyn Manson and the music composed by Twiggy Ramirez.
"Lunchbox" is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released as the second single from their debut album, Portrait of an American Family (1994). A heavy metal song that features elements of death metal, industrial music and punk rock, "Lunchbox" was written by the band's eponymous vocalist, Daisy Berkowitz, and Gidget Gein, and produced by Manson with Trent Reznor. According to Berkowitz, the track was written as the frontman's plea to be left alone; it was also inspired by a time where Manson defended himself from bullies with a Kiss lunchbox. The track features elements of "Fire" (1968) performed by Arthur Brown, a musician who influenced the band.
Candy Harlots were an Australian band from Sydney, active between 1987 and 1995. They also released material as Helter Skelter and The Harlots. According to rock music historian Ian McFarlane they were, "an unashamedly macho, decadent lot, with a black leathers 'n' chains and gutter-rock image played out over an entertaining brand of hard-edged rock 'n' roll." They enjoyed Top 20 chart success with their March 1992 EP Foreplay on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Singles Chart and obtained a Top 40 chart position with their sole full-length album Five Wicked Ways in May 1992.
"Rock Is Dead" is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released as the third single from their third studio album, Mechanical Animals (1998). It was written by the band's eponymous frontman, along with bassist Twiggy Ramirez and keyboardist Madonna Wayne Gacy, and was produced by Manson, Michael Beinhorn and Sean Beavan. A glam rock and heavy metal track with elements of electronic music and grunge, the song features electric and bass guitars, keyboards, and live drums in its instrumentation. The song was featured on the soundtrack of the Wachowskis' film The Matrix (1999).
"Long Hard Road Out of Hell" is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson and British trip hop band Sneaker Pimps. It was released as a single from the soundtrack to the 1997 motion picture Spawn. An arena rock and gothic rock song, "Long Hard Road Out of Hell" was written by Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez and produced by Manson and Sean Beavan. Its lyrics are about self-loathing and its title is derived from John Milton's Paradise Lost (1667). After the track was written, the Sneaker Pimps' Kelli Ali was recruited to perform background vocals on it, as the Spawn soundtrack featured collaborations between hard rock artists and electronic music artists. The Sneaker Pimps were dissatisfied with the final track and wanted a remix of it to be released as a single instead; conversely, Manson deemed it a personal favorite.
The High End of Low is the seventh studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on May 20, 2009 by Interscope Records. Multiple editions of the record were released by the label, each containing unique bonus tracks. The album's lyrics were largely inspired by the personal troubles experienced by the band's eponymous vocalist relating to his divorce from burlesque performer Dita Von Teese, as well as his later relationship with actress Evan Rachel Wood.
Andy Gerold is a professional multi-instrumentalist and is best known as a former bassist of Marilyn Manson. Currently playing guitar for "Rock of Ages" at The Crown Theater, located in The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The Manson Family Album is the first studio recording by American rock band Marilyn Manson and a precursor to their debut studio album, 1994's Portrait of an American Family. It was produced by Roli Mosimann and is composed of original takes and mixes of songs which were later found on their debut album. However, the band and its eponymous vocalist were unhappy with Mosimann's production, claiming it to be poorly representative of their established sound and calling it too "smoothed and polished". The majority of songs on The Manson Family Album were later re-recorded or remixed by Nine Inch Nails personnel Trent Reznor, Sean Beaven and Alan Moulder at the Record Plant in Los Angeles. The album's title is a double entendre; it also relates to the commune of cult leader Charles Manson.
The End Times Tour was a double bill North American concert tour, co-headlined by American rock bands Marilyn Manson and The Smashing Pumpkins, with Cage opening. It was launched as a supporting 'tour within a tour' for Marilyn Manson's The Hell Not Hallelujah Tour. The End Times Tour supported both Manson's ninth studio album The Pale Emperor (2015) and the Smashing Pumpkins' tenth studio release, Monuments to an Elegy (2014).
Heaven Upside Down is the tenth studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on October 6, 2017, by Loma Vista Recordings and Caroline International. The record had the working title Say10 and was initially due to be issued on Valentine's Day. However, the release was delayed by numerous events, most notably the death of Marilyn Manson's father, Hugh Warner, who died during production and to whom the album was later dedicated. The record has many of the musicians who performed on the band's previous album, The Pale Emperor (2015), including the producer Tyler Bates and the drummer Gil Sharone. Despite Manson's early implications, long-time bass guitarist Twiggy Ramirez did not participate on the album. He left the group following a sexual assault allegation by a former girlfriend.
I wanted to live and breathe hard rock and metal, I wanted to play it, sing it and live it. I've continued to love, play and live it- in all its forms since then.
A firey twin guitar assault, driven supercharged bass and drums against a shimmering backdrop of electro synths, topped off with three distinctive lead vocalists… Dept. Of Gloom hearken back to a time when bands were rockstars and rockstars were heroes!
We caught up once again with primary songwriter, bass player and stalwart in the rock world of Australia, Leeno Dee
...Dee has been plugging his loud, thunderous bass into the Australian music scene for some time
...JERK was definitely something I was and still am proud to have done. We made a great album, and I guess doing shows with Insane Clown Posse, Killing Joke and Marilyn Manson are highlights. Being guests at Ozzfest was a highlight and also doing the red carpet at the ARIAs.
Formed in Sydney 2000, JERK were an explosive and intense Industrial-Metal Heavy Rock band.
Sony's metal act Jerk drops by to show off the band's new video.