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2. The beginning
Date: March-April, 2011
Death Grips formed in 2010, although their presence wasn't felt until the next year. In March 2011, the trio released their debut EP, Death Grips. The self-titled release set the tone for future releases, even if it was considerably more bare-bones than what was to come. Just over a month later, they released their blistering full-length debut, Exmilitary, which took the intensity further, and garnered them a lot more attention.
The vitriolic, dark listen piqued a lot of interest, but beyond Zach Hill, the band's mouthpiece and drummer, their identities were almost entirely unknown. It seemed at this point that they'd continue on their independent path. Little did we know....
4. Signing to Epic Records: The Money Store
Date: February-April, 2012
After the hostility of Exmilitary, Epic Records (home of Kat Dahlia, The Fray, Avril Lavigne) seemed like the last label on earth Death Grips would go for. The pairing was odd, and it's still strange to think about it today. Signing with the major label in 2012 in the hopes of releasing two records, the enigmatic outfit at least put out the first of their 2012 releases on the same label that Thriller came out on.
The Money Store released in April of 2012, just under a year after Exmilitary. It retained all of the intensity of the previous output, but with a noticeable sheen added when it came to the hooks featured on the album. It was accompanied by experimental videos, all suitably lo-fi. In support of the album, the group infamously announced their first large-scale tour, which led to the first of their live-related disappointments.
6. The first major tour gets canceled
Date: May 2012
Shortly after the release of The Money Store, Death Grips announced an extensive North American tour, and then promptly canceled every date. Canceling the tour under the promise of releasing another album via Epic that year, this was the first of many notorious live-related incidents. It was perhaps a warning sign of what was to come, but it definitely wasn't the most outrageous.
It'd be a while before we'd hear from them again, but when they did come back around, they did so unapologetically.
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8. Death Grips links with MTV for an interactive video
Date: September 13, 2012
What the hell, Death Grips? With their anti-establishment ways, the last thing you'd expect the group to do is partner with MTV for an interactive pool party-themed video. And then, out of nowhere, Death Grips partnered with MTV for a an interactive pool party-themed video. The video is set to one of Death Grips' most upbeat and accessible songs (which doesn't say much), "I've Seen Footage."
This is no ordinary interactive video. It's the most interactive music video ever, and it allows you to take on different characters and experience the pool party from different perspectives. Some of the cameras are hidden, and some of the characters are secret. When Pigeons & Planes was sent the video, we were given a map and a secret character. Unfortunately, our character was the buoy in the pool. Thanks a lot, Death Grips.
Watch the video for "I've Seen Footage" here.
For comparison:
10. No Love No Label
Date: October 1, 2012
As they promised earlier in the year, No Love Deep Web, the second Death Grips album, was announced officially in August 2012. They claimed it would be releasing through Epic just like The Money Store, but that wasn't the case. On October 1, the band began tweeting about the status of No Love Deep Web, and from there on out things only got weirder.
"The label wouldn't confirm a release date for No Love Deep Web 'till next year sometime," which was followed by, "The label will be hearing the album for the first time with you." They promptly uploaded the album to Soundcloud and offered it for free download through various means, but it was perhaps the album art that caught people's attention the most.
The sexually graphic cover image showed Zach Hill's erect penis with the album title written on it. It's still not clear what they were going for with the cover, as it's open to interpretation, but mostly people saw it as a ubiquitous "fuck you" to Epic. Not too long after the album was released online, Zach Hill claimed that Epic shut down their website, but Epic denied these claims.
It was a confusing, but awesome time for a Death Grips fan. Alongside this, they actually followed up on their tour in support of the album.
12. Dropped by Epic Records
Date: November 1, 2012
As perhaps the least surprising moment of their career, Epic dropped Death Grips following the self-leaking of No Love Deep Web. They shared the original letters of infringement that Epic sent them. "Got sick of hearing about this marketing shit, annoying," wrote the band in response to those claiming the release of No Love was just an elaborate marketing stunt.
They posted the record label's letters on Facebook, here and here, with an eloquent note: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOW FUCK OFF."
Epic Records released a statement the following day, confirming that the label had parted ways with the band. The statement read as follows:
Epic Records is a music first company that breaks new artists. That is our mission and our mandate. Unfortunately, when marketing and publicity stunts trump the actual music, we must remind ourselves of our core values. To that end, effective immediately, we are working to dissolve our relationship with Death Grips. We wish them well.
13. Stefan speaks
Date: November 19, 2012
MC Ride is surprisingly soft spoken.
15. SXSW, Death Grips style
Date: March 16, 2013
SXSW may take pride in the "keep Austin weird" tagline, but they probably didn't have this in mind. Death Grips was booked for a SXSW show at 1100 Warehouse. Here's what happened:
- Chief Keef was also scheduled to play, but he didn't show up
- Drummer Zach Hill didn't show up either, but he drummed via Skype
- The show was sponsored by Ray-Ban, but MC Ride was instead wearing some kind of face camera
- After a long absence and rumors of prison, third member Andy Morin (also known as Flatlander) showed up with no explanation
- Footage from the face camera would eventually be used for the "Lock Your Doors" video
Watch below:
Footage from the performance was eventually turned into a music video:
18. The mysterious movie that never happened
19. The launch of Thirdworlds Records
Date: July 8, 2013
After they cut all ties with Epic Records in 2012, it only seemed natural for the band to start their own label of sorts. What was surprising about the move, however, is that their label, Thirdworlds, is a partnership with Harvest and Capitol records. Why would they be so quick to work with a major label again after all that mess with Epic?
Well, it seems they were given free creative reign to do whatever the hell they please, especially considering what came afterwards. They announced a new record around this time, tentatively due for 2014, but their next record came out at the end of the same year.
Here's a video from the same time frame, in which Zach Hill plays the drums handcuffed—because, of course.
21. This photo
22. No-shows
Date: August 2, 2013
On August 2, 2013, Death Grips were scheduled to play an official Lollapalooza aftershow in Chicago. Unsurprisingly, they didn't show up. But what made the show notable was how it all went down. Instead of canceling beforehand or not even supplying the right equipment, they had a whole setup waiting.
They never intended to play the show, and instead they left a toy drum kit in front of a backdrop of a fan's suicide note. When the audience learned that Death Grips wouldn't be playing, they proceeded to destroy the equipment onstage. Read a full transcription of the email below.
SUBJECT: ready DATE: July 9
I am ready to take my own life. Many bad experiences led me to this dark void that I am locked in. Maybe by my own hands? I don't really care anymore. I just wanted to say thank you for showing me the other side. the side that is locked away deep inside a person. I am mad. Mad all the time and depressed all the time. I can't take it. I'm not afraid of dying but i am afraid that I can't hear DG in the after life if there is such a thing. I don't know, but I hope your music transcends to the unknown. A place where DG's essence exists. A place where art exists. I love art. That's the one thing that kept me alive this long. So just to ease minds, DG didn't "influence" me to do this. this is my own fucking choice. but thanks for making my life a little better. you're my absolute fave and I will fight the gods if they don't allow me to follow DG's efforts on Earth. Anyways, continue doing great things. I love you Stefan, Zach, and Andy.
I will be watching.
-AJJ
Death Grips did turn up to their FYF Fest performance later in the month.
23. Government Plates, yet another surprise release
Date: November 13, 2013
Not too long after the announcement that they'd be starting their own label, Thirdworlds, Death Grips shared yet another album for free. Government Plates was released 13 months, 13 hours, and 13 minutes after No Love Deep Web was leaked online. It stands as the most stark and minimal release their discography, and features a lot less of MC Ride's signature vocals.
Nonetheless, it was just as abrasive and unpredictable. Each track on the album was uploaded to Youtube with a bizarre music video of sorts. It's also worth noting that the album features a track titled "You might think he loves you for your money but I know what he really loves you for it's your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat".
25. The Powers That B, featuring Björk
Date: June 8, 2014
Less than a year after the release of Government Plates, Death Grips returned with Niggas on the Moon, the first half of an upcoming double album titled The Powers That B. Björk is featured on every track, or sampled, it's not entirely clear. It features a track called "Have a Sad Cum." The second half of the album, Jenny Death, has yet to release.
The album features MC Ride returning to the forefront of their music, with a larger lyrical element than that of Government Plates. It's probably also the most experimental, but least abrasive release in their discography.
And Bjork, by the way, approves. She said on Facebook:
i am proud to announce my vocals landed on the new death grips album ! i adore death grips and i am thrilled to be their "found object" ! i have been lucky enough to hang and exchange music loves w/ them and witness them grow !! epic : onwards !!
27. "Death Grips is over"
Date: July 2, 2014
Out of the blue, as per usual with the group, they announced that they would be disbanding. All scheduled live dates have been canceled, but The Powers That B will still come out later this year. For fans, it's a time to mourn, but maybe they're just fucking with us once again.
It wouldn't exactly be out of character, would it?
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