Dead Moon: the Book

by Fred Cole, Toody Cole, Andrew Loomis, Szim, Erin Yanke and Eric Isaacson

"Dead Moon were a DIY band, active for 19 years. Singer and guitarist Fred Cole was playing music since the early 1960's -- beginning his career as 'Deep Soul Cole - the white Stevie Wonder', then joining the psychedelic garage rock band the Lollipop Shoppe / The Weeds. In the 70's and early 80's Fred and Toody Cole played in various punk, country and hard rock bands. In the late 1980's, they formed Dead Moon with Andrew Loomis. This band went on to become mythic and legendary. They lived by a DIY code built around superstitions and avoidance of conventional music industry pitfalls. Their story is completely unique amongst the pantheon on rock bands -- a group who never sold out, never gave in and built a legacy of art and community piece by piece in a sustainable way almost unheard of. The book is a tribute to their unique aesthetic, unbelievable twisted path of a story, and roll as pioneers of the Portland music scene. The book tells the entire Dead Moon saga in the words of the band itself. Just the voices of Fred, Toody and Andrew. It includes a complete illustrated discography of everything Fred, Toody and Andrew have released, song lyrics, and TONS of band photos, flyers, and weird ephemeral stuff. Lots of it has never been seen by the greater public. The package also includes 2 LPs of the 'best of' Dead Moon -- lovingly remastered from the original tapes. First edition is ultra-deluxe, using great faux leather and cloth. Very sturdy construction. Shrink wrapped. Authors/Editors: Fred Cole, Toody Cole, Andrew Loomis, Szim, Erin Yanke and Eric Isaacson; 12.5 x 12.5-inch cloth and leather bound hardcover 300-page full color art book. Die cuts embedded."

300 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s taken me years to crack this book open because I miss Andrew so much and I was afraid it would make me too sad. Andrew Loomis, the drummer for Dead Moon, and I were in a relationship for about three years in the early 1990’s. His death was an incredible loss for me—I never stopped loving him.

This book really captures the band at its best. It reminded me of all the time I spent with Fred, Toody, and Andrew and the memories are sweet.

Lots of great photos and interviews with each band member. Fred’s legacy is celebrated as it should be. I haven’t listened to the accompanying vinyl yet but I am sure it is great too.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is rad. And the LPs are a sweet bonus.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

we worked on this book for like 5 years, and I don't think we could have done a better job

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was pretty expensive to track down a hardcover edition with the records these days but it was worth it and I read the whole thing in a day. Interesting, moving, inspiring, very funny. Great photos, artwork and stories. It starts with a tribute to Andrew and ends with one to Fred. I was fortunate enough to see Fred and Toody about a decade ago, and Toody again more recently, but never had a sense of what Andrew might be like until I read this. I believe there’s a cheaper paperback version around now and I recommend it if it’s all the same content.

[Bunza · Rating 5 out of 5]

You either get it or you don't, and if you get it you love it.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this lavishly presented over-sized band memoir with interviews and plenty of full-color images. The content includes interviews with surviving members, lyrics, detailed discography.