Another project founded by
Jack White,
Dead Weather began after the
Raconteurs toured the U.S. with
the Kills in summer 2008. Toward the end of the tour, bronchitis made it difficult for
White to sing as much as usual, so
Kills singer
Alison Mosshart was drafted to sing several of his songs.
Mosshart's on-stage chemistry with the
Raconteurs led to
White,
Mosshart, bassist
"Little Jack" Lawrence, and
White's houseguest,
Queens of the Stone Age guitarist
Dean Fertita, recording a cover of
Gary Numan's "Are Friends Electric?" The newly formed band began working on a full album at
White's Third Man Studios in Nashville TN, with
White on drums for the first time since his stint in
Goober & the Peas.
Dead Weather finished recording their album in a matter of weeks, crafting a sound influenced by
White's and
Mosshart's other projects but with a darker, more processed feel. The band made its live debut in March 2009, performing a short set for 150 friends at Third Man's offices to celebrate the release of the single
Hang You from the Heavens/Are Friends Electric?; a month later, they played their first official gig at New York's Bowery Ballroom.
Horehound,
Dead Weather's debut album, arrived that summer. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide