Dance with the Dead

Dance with the Dead was formed by two friends Justin Pointer and Tony Kim in 2013.{{Cite web |title=Dance with the Dead (Profile) |url=https://www.retro-synthwave.com/artists/dance-with-the-dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102013402/https://www.retro-synthwave.com/artists/dance-with-the-dead |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Retro-Synthwave |language=en}} The two are originally from Irvine, California, where they had been childhood friends. Over the years they have shifted towards Justin playing the synths while Tony plays electric guitar, although the two may play either while on stage or recording. The band name "Dance with the Dead" originates from a working title for their first song and their fandom to the horror film genre.{{Cite web |first= |title=Dance with the Dead (Interview) |url=https://www.retro-synthwave.com/music/retro-interviews/dance-with-the-dead-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102014156/https://www.retro-synthwave.com/music/retro-interviews/dance-with-the-dead-interview |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Retro-Synthwave |language=en}}

The largest influences with the themes of Dance with the Dead have been horror movies, and their songs typically originate from jamming and passing around riffs and samples.{{Cite web |title=Dancing With The Dead: An Interview With Tony Kim |url=https://www.monstersmadnessandmagic.com/interviews/dancing-with-the-dead-interview-with-tony-kim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102014247/https://www.monstersmadnessandmagic.com/interviews/dancing-with-the-dead-interview-with-tony-kim |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Monsters, Madness and Magic |language=en-US}} They have mentioned musical and thematic influence by directors and composers such as Dario Argento, John Carpenter and Hans Zimmer.

The duo has emphasized energetic live performances with guitars and synths. They have been prolific on touring with the album releases, with their worldwide The Shape tour in 2017, Loved to Death tour in 2018, and Driven to Madness tour in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Dance With The Dead |url=https://www.songkick.com/artists/8692778-dance-with-the-dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102014410/https://www.songkick.com/artists/8692778-dance-with-the-dead |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Songkick |language=en}} During their live performances, they have shared venues with artists such as Carpenter Brut, DragonForce, the Devin Townsend Project, Magic Sword, and Daniel Deluxe.{{Cite web |title=Dance With The Dead Concert & Tour History {{!}} Concert Archives |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/dance-with-the-dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102014607/https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/dance-with-the-dead |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=www.concertarchives.org}} During tours, they have performed with the on-tour drummer John Terry.{{Cite web |last=M |first=Marco |date=October 29, 2022 |title=GALLERY: 21 October 2022 Daniel Deluxe & Dance With The Dead @ Tavastia, Helsinki |url=https://tuonelamagazine.com/gallery-21-10-2022-daniel-deluxe-dance-with-the-dead-tavastia-helsinki/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102030706/https://tuonelamagazine.com/gallery-21-10-2022-daniel-deluxe-dance-with-the-dead-tavastia-helsinki/ |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Tuonela Magazine |language=en-US}}

While they had previously self-released their music via digital distribution, the album Loved to Death in 2018 was the first to be released with Neuropa Records.{{Cite web |title=Dance with the Dead (Artists, Neuropa Records) |url=https://www.neuroparecords.com/en/artists/dance-with-the-dead/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102015736/https://www.neuroparecords.com/en/artists/dance-with-the-dead/1 |archive-date=2023-01-02 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=www.neuroparecords.com |language=en}}

Dance with the Dead are featured in the 2019 documentary film The Rise of the Synths, which explores the rising popularity of the synthwave music genre; they appear in the documentary and are also featured on its soundtrack with the song "Dead of Night".

Their record and merchandise art have had a distinct style noted in interviews, with most of the work done by graphic artists Ruben Martinez and Mark Kosobucki.

File:Dance With The Dead band.jpg

• Tony Kim – lead guitar, programming
• Justin Pointer – keyboards, rhythm guitar, programming

;Live members

• John Terry – drums

Adapted from Bandcamp,{{Cite web |title=Dance with the Dead |url=https://dancewiththedead.bandcamp.com/ |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Bandcamp |language=en}} Spotify,{{Cite web |title=Dance with the Dead |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KtnZQwMQJN3uyI8eHZRvm |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Spotify |language=en}} and YouTube.{{Cite web |title=Dance with the Dead (Official YouTube channel) |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC57JDgwPyaXKcD9CjI8PtoA |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=www.youtube.com}}

• Out of Body (October 2013, self-released)
• Near Dark (August 2014, self-released)
• The Shape (February 2016, self-released)
• B-Sides: Vol. 1 (January 2017, self-released)
• Loved to Death (August 2018, self-released)
• Driven to Madness (January 2022, self-released)
• Out of Body (2023 Remastered Edition) (December 2023, self-released)

• Into the Abyss (March 2014, self-released)
• Send the Signal (December 2014, self-released)
• Blackout (January 2020, self-released)
• Dark Matter (October 2024)

• "The Poison (Reprise)" (September 2015)
• "Tension" (February 2019)
• "Cold as Hell" (feat. Shaun Phillips) (July 2024)
• "Neon Cross" (feat. Brandon Saller of Atreyu) (September 2024)

• Assault on Precinct 13 (theme) (January 2013), by John Carpenter
• Master of Puppets (May 2015), by Metallica
• Doubt (July 2015), by Good Knives
• Gremlins (theme) (December 2015)
• Paint It Black (March 2016), by The Rolling Stones
• Around the World (July 2016), by Daft Punk
• We Will Rock You (September 2016), by Queen
• Neo-Tokyo (March 2017), by Scandroid
• Kickstart My Heart (September 2017), by Mötley Crüe
• Unspoken (June 2020), by The Dead Daisies
• Takes All Night (July 2020), by LeBrock
• "I Got 5 On It" (feat. Brandon Saller of Atreyu) (December 2020), by Luniz
• Holy Ground (January 2021), by The Dead Daisies

• "Sledge" (December 2021)
• "Hex" (March 2022)
• "Firebird" (January 2023)
• "Kiss of the Creature" (July 2023)
• "Cold as Hell" (feat. Shaun Phillips) (July 2024)
• "Neon Cross" (feat. Brandon Saller of Atreyu) (September 2024)
• "Wolf Pack" (feat. Gunship) (October 2024)

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Category:American electronic rock musical groups

Category:American electronic music duos

Category:Synthwave groups