An Exercise In Tension

John Elliott began his musical career as the drummer with Nashville punk rock outfit Cloverbottom. Named after a local state-run home for handicapped children, the band released Nashville's first indie rock record, the “Anarchy In The Music City” EP in 1980. Elliott later experimented with electronic percussion as a member of the Actuals (later known as Factual), but got fed up with the stagnant Nashville rock scene. Elliott moved to Chicago in 1982, where he made important friendships with producer Martin Hannett (Joy Division, New Order) and Ministry member Paul Barker. Returning to his native Nashville in 1985, Elliott served as best man at Hannett's wedding, luring the producer into the studio to work on Dessau's first 12” EP, “Red Languages”. With veteran Nashville rockers Skot Nelson (guitars) and Mike Orr (bass), Dessau would release a series of dance-oriented 12” EPs through the latter half of the '80s, including “Happy Mood” in 1986. The 1988 “Mad Hog” 12” EP featured a remix of the minor dance hit "Unshakeable" by Ministry's Al Jourgensen. Both Jourgensen and Paul Barker would contribute to a 1988 cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" which would become Dessau's dancefloor breakthrough. A full-length album, “Exercise In Tension” produced by Giles Reaves and including "Isolation” would follow in 1989. Dessau stirred great respect in some circles. The circles just never grew big enough to acquire a lasting legacy.