Biography
Dead Sara, an energetic alternative rock outfit based in Los Angeles, first gained widespread notice in 2011 through the intense single "Weatherman," whose urgent delivery echoed the impassioned protest chants of Rage Against the Machine and the streetwise blues-punk edge of the Kills while addressing the void that followed grunge's retreat. Their second album, the crowd-funded Pleasure to Meet You, arrived in 2015 and climbed to number two on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Ahead of the 2018 EP Temporary Things Taking Up Space, the group secured a contract with Atlantic, then delivered the stirring single "Heroes" in 2021 to preview their subsequent studio album.
Fronted by vocalist Emily Armstrong's commanding rasp and lead guitarist Siouxsie Medley's playing, Dead Sara crafts direct, guitar-centric rock anthems reminiscent of L7 and Hole. The band earned praise from rock figures such as Grace Slick and Courtney Love, advancing from independent releases on their own Pocket Kid Records label to placements in television series like Banshee and the 2013 Playstation 4 title Infamous: Second Son before finalizing an Atlantic Records agreement in 2017.
Armstrong and Medley, friends since adolescence, staged their debut performance under the Dead Sara name in 2005 and issued the initial EP, The Airport Sessions, on Viscount Productions in 2008. After multiple lineup shifts, bassist Chris Null and drummer Sean Friday—both formerly associated with Sonny Moore (Skrillex)—completed the rhythm section. As touring expanded their audience, Courtney Love took note and asked Armstrong to contribute vocals to a forthcoming Hole album. Grace Slick, impressed after attending a live show, promoted the group in various music outlets, building anticipation for the self-titled debut album that appeared on Pocket Kid Records in spring 2012. Following the traction from that release and the "Weatherman" single, Dead Sara joined Epic Records in 2013, though the partnership ended the next year, prompting a return to Pocket Kid for the 2015 follow-up Pleasure to Meet You. With Null's exit, the band continued as a trio and gathered earlier cover recordings—including a version of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box"—on the 2017 EP The Covers EP. Atlantic then issued Temporary Things Taking Up Space in 2018, after which the standalone single "Hands Up" emerged in 2020 and the rousing "Heroes" appeared the following year.
Fronted by vocalist Emily Armstrong's commanding rasp and lead guitarist Siouxsie Medley's playing, Dead Sara crafts direct, guitar-centric rock anthems reminiscent of L7 and Hole. The band earned praise from rock figures such as Grace Slick and Courtney Love, advancing from independent releases on their own Pocket Kid Records label to placements in television series like Banshee and the 2013 Playstation 4 title Infamous: Second Son before finalizing an Atlantic Records agreement in 2017.
Armstrong and Medley, friends since adolescence, staged their debut performance under the Dead Sara name in 2005 and issued the initial EP, The Airport Sessions, on Viscount Productions in 2008. After multiple lineup shifts, bassist Chris Null and drummer Sean Friday—both formerly associated with Sonny Moore (Skrillex)—completed the rhythm section. As touring expanded their audience, Courtney Love took note and asked Armstrong to contribute vocals to a forthcoming Hole album. Grace Slick, impressed after attending a live show, promoted the group in various music outlets, building anticipation for the self-titled debut album that appeared on Pocket Kid Records in spring 2012. Following the traction from that release and the "Weatherman" single, Dead Sara joined Epic Records in 2013, though the partnership ended the next year, prompting a return to Pocket Kid for the 2015 follow-up Pleasure to Meet You. With Null's exit, the band continued as a trio and gathered earlier cover recordings—including a version of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box"—on the 2017 EP The Covers EP. Atlantic then issued Temporary Things Taking Up Space in 2018, after which the standalone single "Hands Up" emerged in 2020 and the rousing "Heroes" appeared the following year.
Albums
Singles
