Deus (band)

Deus
Deus performing at Rolling Stone in Milan: Tom Barman, Stéphane Misseghers, Mauro Pawlowski and Alan Gevaert
Background information
Origin	Antwerp, Belgium
Genres	Experimental rock, indie rock, alternative rock
Years active	1991–present
Labels	V2, Universal, PIAS
Associated acts	Evil Superstars The Love Substitutes Trixie Whitley Millionaire Soulwax Vive la Fête Zita Swoon Karin Dreijer Andersson
Website	deus.be
Members	Tom Barman Klaas Janzoons Stéphane Misseghers Alan Gevaert ()
Past members	Mark Meyers Stef Kamil Carlens Rudy Trouvé Jules de Borgher Danny Mommens Craig Ward Tim Vanhamel Mauro Pawlowski

Deus (styled as dEUS) is a rock band based in Antwerp, Belgium, whose only continuous members up to the present day are Tom Barman (vocals, guitars) and Klaas Janzoons (keyboards, violin). The rest of the band's line-up currently consists of drummer Stéphane Misseghers, bassist Alan Gevaert and guitarist/backing vocalist Mauro Pawlowski.

Formed in 1991, Deus began their career as a covers band, but soon began writing their own material. Their musical influences range from folk and punk to jazz and progressive rock. They first came to attention in Humo's Rock Rally of 1992, and after the release of the four-track EP "Zea", they were offered a recording contract with Island Records. They became the first Belgian indie act ever to sign to a major international label.

Deus' debut album Worst Case Scenario drew influences from Frank Zappa, Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart and was released on September 16, 1994 to critical acclaim. Shortly after followed the release of a highly experimental mail-order-only album entitled My Sister = My Clock, consisting of thirteen songs contained on one physical track. Their next effort In a Bar, Under the Sea followed two years later. The Ideal Crash (1999) saw the manic eccentricity channeled into a slightly more accessible package. Altogether, the band's first three albums (discounting My Sister = My Clock) sold over 750,000 copies worldwide and gathered them a cult following.

Meanwhile, Deus had been subject to various line-up changes. After touring for Worst Case Scenario, guitarist Rudy Trouvé went on to Kiss My Jazz, Dead Man Ray and The Love Substitutes. By the time In a Bar, Under the Sea came out, bassist Stef Kamil Carlens had left the band to focus on Zita Swoon. They were replaced by Craig Ward and Danny Mommens respectively. Eventually, the line-up was completed by touring guitarist Tim Vanhamel (Evil Superstars, Millionaire, Eagles of Death Metal).