Josh Dies

Joshua S. Porter

Josh Dies performing with Showbread
Born (1983-06-12) June 12, 1983
Savannah, Georgia
Occupation Novelist, Musician, Vocalist, Entertainer
Genre post-hardcore, Christian rock, screamo
Literary movement Postmodernism
Notable works The Spinal Cord Perception
Website
www.joshdies.com

Joshua S. Porter, better known by his stage name Josh Dies (born June 12, 1983) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and novelist. Porter is widely known as the vocalist and songwriter for the band Showbread. His debut novel, The Spinal Cord Perception, was released in December 2006 and features a dark, postmodern style similar to Chuck Palahniuk, Bret Easton Ellis, and many other Generation X novelists. Besides several other novels, he has also authored a children's book.[1]

Porter and Showbread also started "Raw Rock Missions," an organization designed to provide food and shelter for orphans and children with special needs.[2]

Biography

In 1997, Porter began working with brother Patrick Porter creating and evolving the band Showbread, which became a full-time international touring act in 2002. In 2004, following several independent albums, Showbread released No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical, featuring music and lyrics written by Porter, and arranged and completed by him and his band mates. No Sir... expectantly failed to achieve commercial success. However, it was rewarded by Revolver Magazine to be the best Screamo album of the year, and Showbread’s already respectable and rabid fan base was propelled by the thousands.

In 2006, Showbread released Age of Reptiles, a drastic and controversial departure from the spastic, frenetic style of their debut album.The song Oh! Emetophobia! is written about and named for Josh's fiancee (now wife), who is emetophobic.

Later that year, Porter announced through Showbread's website and his own Official homepage, that he would be releasing his first novel, The Spinal Cord Perception, at the close of 2006. A limited edition version of the book is said to be self-published by Porter and sold via his web-store and on the road with Showbread. He said recently on his Myspace blog that the book will soon be available in-store. He also said that he is currently starting his second novel, which will be written mostly around April 2007.

Porter has also teamed with acclaimed produced Sylvia Massy Shivy to design artwork for her Psycho Empire T-shirt line. Porter’s designs reminiscent of John Kricfalusi, are sold on tour with Showbread and feature crazed cartoon creatures mutilating each other.

Porter married Abigail Martinez on November 11, 2007.

His three favorite bands are Nine Inch Nails, The Flaming Lips, and Genesis.

He has also recently mentioned on Showbread's website that he (as well as other members of Showbread) will be starting a band with Five Iron Frenzy's Reese Roper.

Porter has announced that the sequel to Nevada, An Edict of Worms will Be released soon.

As Showbread's Frontman

Some fans have found the advanced vocabulary peppered throughout Showbread lyrics difficult to decode; when questioned about this in interviews, Porter claims that his vocabulary comes from reading Calvin and Hobbes. The writing process has been described by the band as being started by Porter, who writes the basic music for the song, and completed by the band members who all style in their own handiwork. Incidentally, Porter also writes and performs some of the synthesizer parts and guitars heard on Showbread albums and is also credited as Showbread’s original drummer. He has also released a solo record, Aesthetics of Violence, under the moniker DIES. It is "some rough, noisy industrial . . . maybe a melody here and there . . . Skinny Puppy meets Genesis, I think." Physical copies were sold, and could be purchased via the DIES myspace page. It released on November 27, 2007.

Porter's trademark scream is well known among fans of No Sir, Nihilism is not Practical, as it assumes various tones and notes. He has often stated that he is unimpressed with his own singing abilities and merely tries to recreate Refused front man Dennis Lyxzén's trademark scream. The notable lack of screaming on Showbread’s "Age of Reptiles" record however leaves him rendering a more guttural, often melodic, throaty wail. Donning strange costumes and theatrical make-up, Porter has become notorious for his outlandish stage persona as Josh Dies. He rants nonsensically during speeches. It is noted that the only serious discussions by Porter are those dealing with his faith.

Ideological views

On his blog, Joshdies.com, Porter has stated that he is an "anti-patriotic, pacifistic, anarchist type Christian."[3] According to Porter, "As a Christian, I believe that for all Christians, violent self-defense is contrary to Jesus’ teachings, even within the confines of government," and "[t]he New Testament is very clear in forbidding violence, retaliation and revenge.[3]

Porter is an admirer of theologian Greg Boyd, and identifies with the teachings of open theism.[4]

Controversy

Porter has been involved with several controversies having to do with his work, namely with some Christian groups who feel that some of the subject matter of his writing is contrary to Porter's personal stance of faith as a devout Christian.[5] Some of his lyrics are tinged with dark, violent, and obscure subject matter. Many Showbread fans and fans of Porter’s writing style defend his work avidly and commend him for what they believe to be a deep and powerful way of conveying important spiritual truths. Porter has been open in sharing his ideas about accusations brought against him and his work, and has posted several articles dealing with these topics on Showbread’s website.

Discography

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/books/TheJokeThatWePlayOnTheWorld.asp
  2. ↑ Raw Rock Missions
  3. 1 2 Dies, Josh (13 July 2011). "anarchy, pacifism and the theology of Captain America". WordPress. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Dies, Josh (10 April 2011). "heresy, Open Theism and the book of the week". WordPress. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Interview: Showbread, punks for Christ’s sake « A Yankee in Dixie
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