Founded by singer, songwriter, and musician Michael Ivey, Basehead is a Washington, D.C.-based alternative rock band that mixes rock, hip hop, psych rock, soul, blues, and funk. Initially a secular band, the group eventually moved towards albums with Christian-themed lyrics. The group’s debut album, Play with Toys (1992), was recorded by Ivey and session musicians and released on the independent label Emigre. Play with Toys received critical acclaim and Ivey put together a touring band to promote it. Catching the attention of several labels, Basehead signed with Imago Records and released their sophomore album, Not in Kansas Anymore, in 1993. The album’s lyrical themes dealt with both racism and dating. By the time their third album, Faith, was recorded in 1994, Michael Ivey’s lyrical direction began to embrace religious Christian themes. However, the album’s release was postponed until 1996 because of label issues. The Christian themes returned in full force on the group’s next album, In the Name of Jesus (1998). By the time the band returned for the fifth album in 2002, they had changed their name to dc Basehead. After a five year wait, Michael Ivey and his bandmates returned as Basehead 2.0 for the album Rockalyptic Music (2007).
