Dead Meadow, ‘That Old Temple’ — Video

Live albums are interesting. Some bands just throw them out for the die-hard fans, or they use them to end a contract with a label. But not Dead Meadow. When it came time to document the final show from their 2009 Old Growth Tour, the band decided to make a film to coincide with the actual recorded concert, but this all happened on accident. "We didn't set out to make a movie at all, just a live record and then after the show in question was also filmed and we saw the footage one thing led to another," bassist Steve Kille told Noisecreep.

The film, titled 'Three Kings,' is based on supernatural characters that the Dead Meadow have mentioned on previous records. "There is a California myth that there are these cloaked spirit characters on the coast. Lost souls from another time and world that are trapped here and watch us for one reason or another," Kille explained. "I guess depending on your view you are either lucky or not to run into one. John Steinbeck actually writes about them in one of his short stories, 'Flight.'"

Kille continued, "Anyway these three kings are also very similar but the world they look into is our world where each of the three human characters we play are tempted by the dark side of things and each react differently. Not sure if it is a moral tale but I suppose a viewer could look at it like that. Honestly they are really a vehicle to bring all of these ideas we have had for years into the your living room."

Just released is the first preview of sorts for the CD/DVD. The video for the song 'That Old Temple,' which displays shiny and hazy sequences that you would expect from the D.C. band that of course are a nod to the psychedelic forefathers. "It only made sense that if we decided to make this into a concert film we would have to bring back the style of 'Pompeii' or 'Song Remains the Same' or 'Born to Boogie,'" Kille commented. "Sure it is a bit self-indulgent, but that is what makes those movies fun. Hopefully our movie will have that same inspiration as those that went before us."

The film, which is set for an undefined release later this year, was done under direction of Artificial Army. According to Kille, the team that has made lasting videos for the Sword and These Arms Are Snakes became involved by choosing the band rather than just being hired through some kind of sterile paperwork. "We shared the same creative office space, and when they heard we were going to document a live performance they sort of showed up at the gig cameras in hand. After that and through the making we all became close friends. Couldn't imagine how this project would happen without the specific input of Simon and Joe. They are family now."