In a surprising announcement, Bassist/vocalist Mike Dean has exited Corrosion of Conformity after forty years in the band he formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1982. Mike has led the band as lead vocalist during two separate stints as the lead vocalist and his distinctive bass style helped guide the band over the years. Citing the distance between band members, the death of co-founder Reed Mullin, and then some other factors have led Mike to step down. The split seems amicable with both the remaining members and wishing each others well. COC continues to make progress on recording their next album, due for release in 2025. The bands’ next gig is Lamb of God’s Headbanger’s Boat!Continue reading
Tag Archives: Mike Dean
Deftones and Ozzy Osbourne’s Music Were Featured in HBO’s Controversial Series “The Idol”
The debut season of “The Idol” on HBO has been controversial for its graphics sex, drugs, and violence toward women Pop music-based series following a pop star and her new manager, who may be a cult leader. The series stars Lilly Rose Depp and Abel “The Weekend” Tesfaye who is the co-creator, and producer of the series as well as music for the show. In episode four of the debut season, a pool party scene featured the Nu-Metal classic “My Own Summer” by Deftones, while a piano rendition of Ozzy Osbourne’s classic Heavy Metal song “Crazy Train” was heard played as a solo piano piece by Hip-Hop Producer Mike Dean (The Weekend, Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, Tupac), who is playing himself in the series. The Idol is also co-produced by Sam Levinson of Euphoria with Reza Fahim and also stars Suzanna Son, Troye Sivan, Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Dan Levy, Jennie Ruby Jane, Eli Roth, Rachel Sennott, Hari Nef, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Ramsey, and Hank Azaria.
ALBUM REVIEW: Crystal Spiders – Molt
Having been acquainted with vocalist Brenna Leath through her work with Lightning Born, her new project Crystal Spiders has a comparable grittier approach to Stoner Doom. Their first album, Molt (Ripple Music), is primarily driven by bass-heavy fuzz with songs that range from Psychedelic excursions to borderline Punk numbers. The style is most comparable to Year Of The Cobra, especially with the bass-drum duo setup, but the darker aspects also trigger associations with Windhand and Ruby The Hatchet.Continue reading
Listen to An Unreleased Track by Righteous Fool, “Low Blow”, Featuring Reed Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity
Rolling Stone is currently streaming a new, previously unreleased track by Righteous Fool. The band and the track featured Reed Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity, who passed away last month at age 53. Today would have been his 54th birthday. Righteous Fool also featured COC bassist Mike Dean, and guitarist Jason Browning, who all shared vocal contributions. The band released one two-song seven-inch in 2010. The track ‘Low Blow’ was recorded in 2011 at Studio 606 in the San Fernando Valley (Dave Grohl’s studio) with the intention to be included on a debut full-length that never came to fruition. The stream serves as a tribute to Mullin on what would have been his 54th birthday (February 12th). The project actually led to the trio era reunion of COC that eventually led to the reformation of the “classic” lineup with Pepper Keenan that has been back in action for several years. Listen to Reed drum and sing his ass off on ‘Low Blow’ now. Continue reading
Remembering Reed Mullin, Drummer for Corrosion of Conformity (1966-2020)
So far, 2020 has been a cruel mistress as the reaper has claimed several giants of the drumming world. One that hits us particularly hard is the sudden death of Wiliam “Reed” Mullin of Corrosion of Conformity, at the young age of 53. Reed was not only a stellar drummer and musician, but he was also almost universally loved by the Hardcore Punk, Thrash Metal, Doom and Stoner Rock community, which is both amazing and insane. It just goes to show the talent Reed had and the breadth of different styles he helped encompass with C.O.C. Equal to his impact on record and behind the drumkit and the microphone, Mullin impacted a ton of people in the scene with his kindness and sense of humor. Continue reading
Lightning Born Shares New Single and Video For “Shifting Wind”
North Carolina’s Lightning Born has shared their first new single and video clip from their highly anticipated debut self-titled album, due out this month. Lightning Born features legendary bassist Mike Dean Mike Dean (Corrosion of Conformity), incredible singer Brenna Leath (The Hell No), drummer Doza Hawes (Mega Colossus, ex-Bloody Hammers; ex-Hour of 13) and guitarist Erik Sugg (Demon Eye). The animated clip was created by artist Costin Chioreanu for Twilight13 Media (Ghost, Darkthrone, Triptykon). Stream and buy ‘Shifting Wind’ now. Continue reading
Metal Legend Mike Dean Donates Bass To Cancer Charity Fundraiser
Cancer is a sonofabitch and there will be more than 1.7 million new cases of it in 2018 alone. One person making the best of a bad situation is Melissa S. who uses her multiple diagnosis of cancer to raise money on her own raise awareness and money for animal rescue, Friends of Melissa have been raising money on both BiddingOwl and GoFundMe to raise the $20,000 USD she needs for aggressive treatment for her long-term survival. Now her friend, metal legend Mike Dean of Corrosion of Conformity has joined the fight, donating a classic bass from his aresenal to the auction to give it a boost. Mike’s NYC Sadowsky Sunburst Vintage J 4 Bass Guitar has been played live with played in over 2,000 shows with COC and Kyuss Lives and the COC albums America’s Volume Dealer, Live Volume album and concert video, In the Arms of God, and Corrosion of Conformity. Learn more about how you can support Melissa’s fight and own Mike’s bass at the links below.
Members Of COC, Bloody Hammers, Demon Eye Form Doom Supergroup Lightning Born
Low-key doom supergroup Lighting Born has formed with members hailing from notable bands such as Corrosion of Conformity Bloody Hammers, Demon Eye, The Hell No, Hour of 13 and Mega Colossus. The doom metal collective with roots in North Carolina and Maryland has signed a world-wide deal with Ripple Music, and are already working on a new album due out in late 2018. Continue reading
Demon Eye – Prophecies & Lies
Taking their name from a Deep Purple song from the 1971 classic Fireball (Warner Bros.) are Demon Eye. Arising from North Carolina, Demon Eye started out life as a ‘70s rock covers band called Corvette Summer before transforming into a fully-fledged band in 2012. As their origins suggest, their sound is an amalgamation of 70s hard rock and metal – with Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, early Judas Priest and Iron Maiden the major influences. Their third album Prophecies and Lies (Soulseller) was produced by Corrosion of Conformity’s Mike Dean and continues down this old school path. Continue reading
Back For Another Round- Pepper Keenan and Woody Weatherman of COC
The news of returning vocalist and guitarist Pepper Keenan to Corrosion of Conformity made waves across the heavy music world over a year ago. Keenan spent his time playing guitar in Down, while guitarist Woodroe “Woody” Weatherman and bassist Mike Dean reunited with drummer Reed Mullin in 2010 (the Animosity lineup) to record 2012’s Corrosion of Conformity and 2014’s II, and the 2012 free EP Megalodon via Scion AV.
This version found themselves touring and reacquainting with longtime fans, which took them through Knotfest. Following this appearance, the band is feeling good and gave longtime Southern California fans their first look at this lineup since their hiatus in 2006.
“That was totally Slipknot who that hooked us up on this. It came straight from the fucking band,” said Keenan, talking about getting onto the festival.
“They wanted COC, and which was an awesome thing. I’ve known those guys and the fact that they asked us weirdo rednecks to do this…it’s great. That carries a lot of weight. We’ve had a lot of friends support this thing. It’s been awesome.”
Having Keenan on stage with them did bring back old memories from the Deliverance and Wiseblood eras, and helped stimulate the energy on stage. Longtime fans were reunited with songs from that time period that were not played for some time.
“I think people are stoked to hear those songs they need to hear. I fucking love playing them. All of those classic tunes, from the Blind album and Deliverance all the way up,” said Weatherman.
“We’re in a weird situation because we haven’t played together in so long. What band gets that opportunity to get back out there and get so much help from fans and other bands hooking us up. So it’s really fucking cool. The songs still work. They work fucking great.”
“We’re on tour with Clutch right now. We’re using this time to get our heads together and [figure out] where do we go from here,” added Keenan.
Were there any songs from that era that they rediscovered from that era that they hadn’t performed as much? “I’ve got all the demos. There’s a song off from the Deliverance era that’s pretty strong. We probably won’t do them but the energy is there. It’s a good thing. You have to progress a little bit. I don’t go backwards,” said Keenan.
“We don’t go backwards but we still have riffs around. Shit we’ve had for a long time like ‘fuck! Why didn’t we use that? I don’t know…’,” added Weatherman.
Photo Credit: Evil Robb Photography
Keenan said the four members were in touch during the time apart, even though each were doing their own respective things. “Yeah. It was a long time coming. We kept it on a lo-key thing and waited until the moment was right. We went to Europe this summer, not knowing what to expect. We went back a few times.”
So did the time apart make their bond stronger? “I think the one locking element was the songs. Playing the songs, done them, and do them again the next day. It’s all good. We’re having a good time.”
Since his time in Down, Keenan had not sang a note with a band in some time. Getting reacquainted with that role, he talked about how he worked himself back into that position.
“I hadn’t sang in 15 years. Literally. I had to fall back into it. Remember the words and write them down and then go from there.”
“Double up the Coors Light!,” joked Weatherman, with a huge laugh.
Plus with Dean handling vocals for the trio version of COC, would they somehow work the two members in to both doing vocals on future material?
“It’s possible,” said Keenan.
“When we did it in the past, it was on Deliverance – the title track on that. We all join in. We fill in where we can,” added Weatherman.
Photo Credit: Evil Robb Photography
Even Mullin, where he shared his vocal skills on the Teenage Time Killers album, may make an appearance behind the mic. “He sings every night a little bit,” said Weatherman.
Speaking of Mullin, the appearance also marked his return, and had not performed with this incarnation since 2001. Having him back in the fold also added a spark that fans often missed throughout that era. Weatherman shared his thoughts on him.
“Yeah this is really…Pepper’s talking 15 years – that’s how long it’s been since all four of us – this four piece has been since ’01 or 2000-whatever it was because Reed split for a while. So it’s nice. It’s the real deal and we’re back up.”
Weatherman talked about how doing the trio brought out the punk rock side of COC, and finding a side of their sound that was overshadowed by their melodic riff driven sounds of the recent years.
“We knew all along that sooner or later we’d be back with [Pepper] Keenan doing his shit. So we’re doing a little punk rock here and there and playing some old shit,” he said.
“I’ll be honest…I want to combine some of those elements now because we’re there, where playing wise we’re going into manic crazy shit or whatever. I like the energy of whatever they did and the last album, In The Arms of God was a pretty strong record. That’s a catalyst for us,” added Keenan, praising the energy created by the trio during his time away, and possibly hinting where the new material could head towards.
As for a new record, the band has signed a new recording deal with Nuclear Blast and talks about a new album began to surface. Keenan gave their status on this and how far along they were on when such a thing would see the light of day.
“The main thing is gelling and playing together. It’s a different situation and now the riffs will start to come out. We’ll start to get organized. It’s a tall order there. It ain’t gonna be no half assed bullshit.”
By Rei Nishimoto