Polkadot Cadaver

History

Polkadot Cadaver came together not long after Dog Fashion Disco called it quits in 2007. The band’s first record, Purgatory Dance Party, hit the internet through pre-orders on November 17, 2007, and landed in stores ten days later. In 2008, two demo tracks from Polkadot Cadaver showed up on the Dog Fashion Disco odds-and-ends collection Beating a Dead Horse to Death... Again. While touring behind that debut, Dave Cullen joined as the permanent bassist, and Scott Radway took over as the steady live drummer in 2010.

On May 5, 2011, the group’s sophomore effort, Sex Offender, entered the Billboard New Artist Chart—also called the Heatseekers Chart—at number 17. That album marked the first time bassist David Cullen, who also played in Knives Out!, appeared on a Polkadot Cadaver record, though Ensminger handled the drumming in the studio. To promote Sex Offender, the band hit the road with Wednesday 13, Vampires Everywhere!, and Korpiklaani. In January 2012, they served as the main opener for Wayne Static, and by April they were on the Fight to Unite Tour as a supporting act for Brokencyde and Blood on the Dance Floor, sharing the bill with Deuce, William Control, and The Bunny the Bear.

On July 17, 2012, a photo posted to the band’s Facebook page let fans know a new album was coming in 2013, and that Neil Fallon, frontman of fellow Maryland rockers Clutch, would guest on a song called “Transistors of Mercy.” The same picture confirmed Scott Radway as a full-fledged member, having been the touring drummer since 2010. That December, the band said the record would drop in April 2013, with a tour to follow. Early January 2013 brought a Facebook update naming the album Last Call in Jonestown, with a May 7 release date that later slipped to May 14. On March 23, they kicked off the “Our Tour Can Beat Up Your Tour” trek as openers for Psychostick, alongside Downtown Brown. Dave Cullen left before the album was finished, playing on just two tracks. Brian White, who had previously played bass in Dog Fashion Disco, stepped in for the tour and remained with the group afterward. To support Last Call in Jonestown, the band launched the “Last Call in Jonestown 2013 Tour” on June 14, with One-Eyed Doll and Exotic Animal Petting Zoo as openers—their first headlining run in more than two years.

Music videos

The band's first two music videos, "Chloroform Girl" and "Pure Bedlam for Halfbreeds," came out in March 2008. Dan Edwards directed both, and they were posted on the group's official MySpace page. Another video, "Bring Me the Head of Andy Warhol," was made and put on YouTube, but it has since been removed. After signing with Razor to Wrist Records, the band created additional videos for both older and newer tracks, including "Last Call in Jonestown," "12 days of Christmas, repent!," "Get Possessed," and "Emotional Creatures." These are all available on the Razor to Wrist Records official YouTube channel.