Merging the thudding impact of the heavy branch of '80s and '90s alternative rock with a swampy, brooding, melodic undertow, Dead Meat are a powerful three-piece who wasted little time making a reputation for themselves after setting up shop in San Francisco, CA. Dead Meat was formed in Gainsville, FL by James Santarpia and James McNeal, who previously played together in the band Hearts Over Rome. In 2008, Santarpia and McNeal, who trade off on guitar, bass, and vocals, teamed up with drummer Roberto Pagano and began writing material and playing local clubs. After about a year, Dead Meat pulled up stakes and moved to San Francisco, and in 2009, they made their recorded debut with the song "The King," which appeared on a digital compilation called They Don't Know Unless You Tell Them. In 2010, the Chicago-based independent label Flingco Sound (who released They Don't Know Unless You Tell Them) unveiled Dead Meat's first 7" single, which featured their They Don't Know track along with two other songs, "Electric Head" and "Rubber Snake." On the single's sleeve, as well as on the group's flyers, Dead Meat avoided images of themselves, instead employing the artwork of Kelly Williams, whose evocative but ambiguous images gave the band a visual signature not unlike that which Raymond Pettibon's work brought to Black Flag. After Dead Meat's single and their live shows began receiving enthusiastic reviews from West Coast rock writers, they struck up a friendship with fellow Floridians Surfer Blood, and the two acts played a homecoming show together in West Palm Beach. In the fall of 2010, Flingco Sound released The King + Early Recordings, which featured the three songs from Dead Meat's 7" along with six tunes which appeared on a split-cassette release with labelmates Bad Dad. ~ Mark Deming