Originally a prop in the band’s early videos, the now-trademark black skull was first used as a headpiece when one of the band’s eyeballs was stolen. Previously known as Dead Eye Dick (and then played mostly by Hardy Fox), the character’s second incarnation came to be during the mid ’90s.
The first recorded use of the name (as well as The Singing Resident’s first portrayal of him) came in 1999, during the Wormwood tour. From then until 2007, he was consistently the image of the band’s frontman in live and promotional material.