Dean Fertita

Dean Fertita
Fertita performing with Queens Of The Stone Age at the Eurockéennes de Belfort 2011
Background information
Born	September 6, 1970 (1970-09-06) (age 41)
Origin	Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
Genres	Hard rock, alternative rock, indie rock, indie pop
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, autoharp
Labels	Interscope Records, Rekords Rekords, Third Man Records, Schnitzel Records
Associated acts	Queens of the Stone Age, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, Brendan Benson, The Waxwings, Hello=Fire, Eagles of Death Metal

Dean Fertita (born September 6, 1970 in Royal Oak, Michigan) is an American rock musician and multi-instrumentalist.^[1] Fertita was the lead singer and guitarist of The Waxwings from the band's formation in 1997 to its breakup in 2005. Fertita then moved on to collaborate with Brendan Benson playing keyboards and guitar on Bensons solo releases and as a touring keyboard player for The Raconteurs. In 2007 Fertita joined Queens of the Stone Age to replace the late Natasha Shneider on keyboards and occasionally guitar on some songs. Currently the band is taking a break and Fertita is playing guitar, keyboards and organ with The Dead Weather. In 2009 Fertita also released his debut album as a solo artist.

Recording career

The Waxwings

Main article: The Waxwings

In 1997 Fertita formed the power pop band The Waxwings^[1] along with bassist Kevin Peyok, drummer James Edmunds and guitarist Dominic Romano. The band's name, as well as the name of their debut record, was derived from the first line of a poem in Vladimir Nabokov's novel Pale Fire:^[2] In 2000 The Waxwings signed with Bobsled Records and began work on their debut album, Low to the Ground, recorded at Terrarium Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Bryan Hanna. The albums was featured in Magnet Magazine's Top 20 albums of 2000-2001.^[3] In 2002 the band released their second album Shadows Of... After the band's release party a letter surfaced, in which Bobslead Records head, Bob Salerno, ridiculed the band for what he considered to be a poor live performance. The letter gained notoriety after being posted on the internet entertainment forum the Velvet Rope.

After the controversy with Salerno the band released their third album - recorded with Brendan Benson - Let's Make Our Descent on Rainbow Quartz Records in 2004.^[4] In 2005 the band stated on its official website that work had begun on songs for a fourth studio album.^[5] Since then members of the band have been involved with other projects and no information regarding the bands status have been released.

Brendan Benson collaboration

See also: Brendan Benson and The Raconteurs

After The Waxwings broke up in 2004, Fertita was recruited by Brendan Benson to play keyboard on Benson's two-man British acoustic tour^[6] Fertita and Benson first met each other via mutual friends in high school, and soon established a working relationship.^[7] Fertita cites Benson as a big influence, inspiring him to focus more energy on song writing instead of loud riffs.^[7] When Benson formed The Raconteurs Fertita was recruited to play keyboards and organ on the tour in support of the Broken Boy Soldiers album.^[1] Fertita also recorded clavinet parts for the band's second studio album Consolers of the Lonely in 2008.^[8] Benson also produced and made several contributions the Fertitas debut solo album.

Queens of the Stone Age

Main article: Queens of the Stone Age

Homme, Fertita and Shuman in 2007.

During the tour with the Raconteurs, Fertita got to know the band's sound man Hutch, who is also the long time sound man of Queens of the Stone Age.^[9] In 2007, Hutch asked Fertita to join the Queens of the Stone Age as their new keyboardist and additional guitarist, replacing the late Natasha Shneider. Fertita accepted and along with newly recruited bassist Michael Shuman^[10] recorded later bonus tracks. Era Vulgaris was released on June 12, 2007 and was followed by the Duluth Tour," which was named due to the fact that the band was scheduled to perform in many small towns and cities they had never played before, such as Duluth, Minnesota.^[11] On August 16, 2008, Queens of the Stone Age performed a concert in celebration of Natasha Shneider's life at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. They were joined on stage by Alain Johannes, Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Matt Cameron, Brody Dalle, Jesse Hughes, Chris Goss and PJ Harvey, playing a variety of QOTSA and non-QOTSA songs. Proceeds from the concert went to defray the costs associated with Natasha’s illness. In 2009 the members of the band took time of and were involved in a variety of other projects, but reconvened in the summer of 2010 too play a number of shows in support of a reissue of Rated R which was released on August 3. They released a remastered version of their first self titled album early 2011 which was supported with performences of the album in its entirety.

The Dead Weather

Main article: The Dead Weather

Dean Fertita (far left) along with The Dead Weather.

In 2009 Fertita along with Jack White on drums, Alison Mosshart on lead vocals, and Jack Lawrence on bass formed The Dead Weather.^[12] The group originally only intended to record a 7-inch single but plans changed and the band wrote and recorded their debut album in fifteen days.^[13] The bands debut album - Horehound - was released July 14, 2009 and was followed by a supporting tour. In October 2009 lead vocalist Mosshart confirmed that a second album was "halfway done".^[14] Later, White revealed in an interview that the band is hoping to have 20 to 25 songs ready for their Australian tour in March 2010.^[15] It was later confirmed that the first single from the new album - Sea of Cowards - would be called "Die by the Drop" which was released March 30. The Sea of Cowards Tour began on March 19, 2010, is ended on August 3, 2010. It included 42 shows over four legs.

Eagles of Death Metal

Main article: Eagles of Death Metal

In June 2010, it was announced that Fertita would fill in on bass playing duties for Brian O'Connor, whilst the Eagles of Death Metal bass player undergoes treatment for cancer.^[16] Prior to O'Connor's illness Fertita also made a guest appearance playing keyboards during a performance of "Wannabe In L.A". After returning to the Queens of the Stone Age Fertita was replaced by Abby Travis.

As a solo artist

See also: Hello=Fire

In 2009 Fertita released his first solo effort under the moniker Hello=Fire, the album was recorded over a period of a year and a half and was recorded when Fertita along with friends found available time in studios, however some songs were written as early as 2005 and 2006 while touring with Brendan Benson.^[7] The album includes performances by fellow Queens of the Stone Age bandmates Troy Van Leeuwen, Joey Castillo and Michael Shuman, as well as Brendan Benson and the Afghan Whigs' Michael Horrigan. The self-titled album was released October 26, 2009 on Schnitzel Records.^[17] And the song "Nature of Our Minds" was its first single. Fertita had plans to play a number of concerts in support of the album during the break from Queens of the Stone Age however after joining The Dead Weather the planned live performances were canceled.^[7] In 2010, Fertita re-recorded the Waxwings song "Different Plane" for the Novalis radiosurgery "Shaping Cancer Care Around You” national television commercial, currently running in the United States.^[18] In 2011 Fertita revealed that he had begun working on a second solo album. but that his main focus was to write and record the sixth record with the Queens of the Stone Age.^[19]

Musical equipment

Fertita playing a Gibson SG.

While playing with The Raconteurs Fertita primarily played a Fender Rhodes electric piano and a Korg synthesiser as well as a Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar. Fertita is also credited for playing clavinet on the bands second album, Consolers of the Lonely. With Queens of the Stone Age Fertita has been seen playing a Moog Little Phatty Synthesizer and a Clavia Nord Electro 2 through a set of Peavey amplifiers.^[20] However more recently he has been seen playing a Korg SV-1 and an unidentifiable electric piano as well as the Little Phatty. For guitars, he has used a Gibson SG and Maton BB1200 through an Ampeg combo, but was seen playing a Yamaha hollowbody through a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier on their most recent tour. With The Dead Weather, Fertita plays a custom built Gretsch White Falcon originally built for a number of live performances by Jack White and Alicia Keys to perform the theme song for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, "Another Way to Die".^[21] For keyboards, he uses The Moog Little Phatty, A Wurlitzer Electric Piano, and a vintage Korg CX-3 organ.^[22] Fertitas pedalboard includes a Dunlop Rotovibe, a white painted DigiTech Whammy, a Voodoo Lab Tremolo, an Electro-Harmonix nano Bassballs, a white painted Big Muff, Micro POG, a Boss TU-2 Tuner, and a MXR Micro Amp.^[23] For amplification Fertita uses two Fender Twin Reverbs.

Discography

Appearances on albums 2000 – The Waxwings – Low to the Ground 2002 – The Waxwings – Shadows of the Waxwings 2004 – The Waxwings – Lets Make Our Descent 2007 – Queens of the Stone Age – Era Vulgaris * 2008 – The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely 2009 – The Dead Weather – Horehound 2009 – Hello=Fire – Hello=Fire 2009 – Karen O & the Kids – Where the Wild Things Are 2009 - The Dead Weather - Live at Third Man Records West 2010 – The Dead Weather – Sea of Cowards TBA – Queens of the Stone Age – Sixth studio album[6] "*" = Marks appearances on bonus tracks.

Appearances on singles 2004 – The Waxwings – "Leave Less Waiting" 2005 – Brendan Benson – "Cold Hands (Warm Heart)" ** 2007 – Queens of the Stone Age – "Sick, Sick, Sick" ** 2007 – Queens of the Stone Age – "3's & 7's" ** 2007 – Queens of the Stone Age – "Make It Wit Chu" ** 2009 – The Dead Weather – "Hang You from the Heavens" 2009 – The Dead Weather – "Treat Me Like Your Mother" 2009 – The Dead Weather – "I Cut Like A Buffalo" 2009 – Hello=Fire – "Nature of Our Minds" 2010 – The Dead Weather – "Die By The Drop" 2010 - The Dead Weather - "Blue Blood Blues" 2010 - The Dead Weather - "Gasoline" "**" marks appearances on b-sides.

References

Alison Mosshart and Fertita at the Glastonbury Festival 2009.

1. ^ ^{a b c} Brian McCollum Metro Detroit musician Dean Fertita moves to the front lines with the Dead Weather freep.com Retrieved: 2009-07-25
2. ^ "The Waxwings: Bio". mp3.com. 2008-09-17. http://www.mp3.com/albums/539419/summary.html. Retrieved 2008-09-17. 
3. ^ "The Waxwings: Bio". thewaxwings.com. 2008-09-17. http://www.thewaxwings.com/black_blue/bio.html. Retrieved 2008-09-17. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ "Rainbow Quartz Records: The Waxwings". rainbowquartz.com. 2008-09-17. http://www.rainbowquartz.com/artists.asp?BC=WW. Retrieved 2008-09-17. 
5. ^ "The Waxwings: News". thewaxwings.com. http://www.thewaxwings.com/black_blue/news.html. Retrieved 2008-09-17. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ ^{a b} Ian Gormely Stone Age keyboardist Dean Fertita speaks thecoast.ca Retrieved: 2009-07-21
7. ^ ^{a b c d} Dean Fertita interview faceculture.com Retrieved: 2010-02-12
8. ^ (2008) Album note for Consolers of the Lonely by The Raconteurs
9. ^ Queens of the Stone Age band profile at Drowned In Sound. Retrieved on November 15, 2007.
10. ^ "QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Films 'Sick, Sick, Sick' Video". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-04-28. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71399. Retrieved 2007-05-09. 
11. ^ "Queens of the Stone Age: The "Duluth Tour" Details". Ultimate Guitar. 2007-06-03. http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_tours/queens_of_the_stone_age_the_duluth_tour_details.html. Retrieved 2007-10-03. 
12. ^ "Jack White launches new band with The Kills' Alison Mosshart | News". Nme.Com. 2008-12-16. http://www.nme.com/news/the-white-stripes/43398. Retrieved 2009-03-12. 
13. ^ Nicole Keiper Jack White Debuts New Band the Dead Weather: A Full Report From Private Nashville Show rollingstone.com Retrieved: 2009-02-11
14. ^ Greg Cochrane (October 16, 2009). "New Dead Weather LP 'half done'". BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_10000000/newsid_10002400/10002412.stm. 
15. ^ Dead Weather: New Disc In Early 2010 www.ultimate-guitar.com Retrieved: 2010-01-21
16. ^ Young, Alex. "Them Crooked Vultures, Dean Fertita lend hand to cancer-striken Brian O’Connor". consequenceofsound.net. http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/06/them-crooked-vultures-dean-fertita-lend-hand-to-cancer-striken-brian-o%E2%80%99connor/. Retrieved 2011-06-16. 
17. ^ "Schnitzel Records London UK News". Schnitzel.co.uk. 2008-10-03. http://www.schnitzel.co.uk/news/. Retrieved 2009-10-16. 
18. ^ Shapingcancercare.com
19. ^ Fink, Sally. "Interview: Dean Fertita (The Dead Weather, Queens Of The Stone Age)". www.musicreview.co.za. http://www.musicreview.co.za/2011/05/12/interview-dean-fertita-the-dead-weather-queens-of-the-stone-age/. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
20. ^ Dean Fertita - Back Stage, After Show Interview - Impromptu and uncut youtube.com Retrieved: 2010-02-11
21. ^ Jack White: Dead Weather Use James Bond Equipment twentyfourbit.com Retrieved: 2010-02-12
22. ^ Organ label seen in The Dead Weather - "Bone House" - Live from The Roxy at 2:12 (1080p quality). Retrieved: 2010-09-23.
23. ^ Jack White's Pedalboards: From White Stripes to The Dead Weather dolphinmusic.com Retrieved:2010-02-12

External links

• helloequalsfire.com - the official Hello=Fire site
• thedeadweather.com - the official Dead Weather site
• qotsa.com - the official QOTSA site. (Flash required)
• thewaxwings.com - the official Waxwings site.

Persondata
Name	Fertita, Dean
Alternative names
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Date of birth	1970-09-06
Place of birth
Date of death
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