The Tubes have been around for years, and while I'd read about them way back in the seventies, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a Joni-Come-Lately fan. I didn't really get into them until they released "The Completion Backward Principle." It's an eighties classic, and everyone knows "Talk To Ya Later." The followup, "Outside Inside" was also some great stuff, and that was the album that gave us "She's A Beauty." I don't have the stats on that, but I believe that may have been their biggest hit.
If I had to sum up The Tubes in one word, it would be "schizoid." Their seventies concerts are the stuff of legend, with dancers, multiple costume changes, and a production that had to cost a chunk o' change. With the two aforementioned albums, they became a little more pop-oriented and mainstream, but they never lost their freakish edge. (That's a compliment, by the way.) One of the neatest songs on CBP is Bill Spooner's ballad "Don't Want to Wait Anymore," but every song on there is a winner, at least in my book. It's synth-laden, but be sure to pay attention to Prairie Prince's drumming--I think he's one of the best ever, but not all that well-known. He really shines on drum-heavy songs like "Wild Women of Wongo" and "Bora Bora 2000," and there's plenty of drums in "Sports Fans."
Here's a fun live video of "Out of the Business," which has such a great chorus. Imagine being in the audience and screaming along to "I got out of the business...and into...rock and ROLL!" Fee Waybill is nuts, and quite the showman. You can also see Vince Welnick on the keyboards (blond hair and beard). Sadly, Vince is no longer with us.
Speaking of Fee, a few years ago, Shane and I got to see The Tubes at a small local venue. They're still playing, but now it's at little places. That's really better, because we could get out and dance, and of course, the stage and the guys were right there. After the show, the bass player, Rick Anderson, came by our table and took my hand and kissed it. He didn't say anything, just kissed my hand. How cool, and I've never forgotten that. It was a very rock and roll moment. Ha ha! Anyhoo, they were all hanging out after the show, and I was able to get Fee to sign two of my CD's. Awesome!
While I'm putting up pictures, here's one of me and Shane at the show. It was such a fun time, and I still remember it fondly.
What a unique experience to see a legendary band in such an intimate venue. It was a small but enthusiastic crowd, and I still remember the one guy yelling "Toooooooobes!" all night long. That was okay, we were all fans and we all had a fabulous time!
2 comments:
Hi Beth....
I got to thinking about whether "She's A Beauty" was their biggest hit. I had a feeling it was, and indeed we were correct. According to their entry at Wikipedia, "She's A Beauty" went to #10 on the US Top 100. Their next highest entry was on the US Mainstream Rock Track chart (not the Top 100), and that was "Talk To Ya Later" which went to #7. I find it interesting that that song didn't appear on the Top 100 at all! "Tip Of My Tongue" and "The Monkey Time" also appreared in the middle regions of the Top 100! The latter is an especially fun song! Remember that one? LOL
Shane
Hey Cuz!
Yep, I was pretty sure that's the way it was, but like you, I'm shocked that "Talk To Ya Later" never made the Top 100. And yeah, "The Monkey Time" was a great remake, with Martha Davis: "Stop it, Fee! I don't wanna hear 'bout it no mo. You better put that baby on a CHAIN!" Ha!
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