The Tar Babies was a band from Madison, Wisconsin. The original line-up consisted of Bucky Pope - guitar), brothers Jeremy & Robin Davies - vocals & bass respectively with Dan Bitney - drums.
They played their own unique style of artsy-hardcore punk. With the departure of Jeremy Davies in 1987, the remaining trio signed to SST Records. By this point their sound had progressed into a streamlined punk/Funk sound.
Side A -
More Salt
My Spiritual Forklift
Clenched Fist
Swing Set
Loose Convictions
Karma Soldier
Pig Relevance
Sound & Color
No Light Ever
On the Phone (W/ Pepsodent)
Side B -
Love Epidemic
Vices
Ceiling Skies
Set Me Up
Blood Sugar
Stryofoam
Flower Power
Storm’s Over
Paradise Shines
On No Contest, the trio has added saxophone player Tony Jarvis who pushes their sound ever so slightly in a jazzier direction.
Lay of the Law
Lupe
Link in a Chain
Actualizing
Clean Living
Catch My Fall
Wisdom Drill
Cure it All
Blood Onion
Real Time
Lupe
Link in a Chain
Actualizing
Clean Living
Catch My Fall
Wisdom Drill
Cure it All
Blood Onion
Real Time
Rockhead
Rhino a Go Go
Lab Test Animal
Ninety Pounds
Bimbos & Idiots
Joy Ride
Yama Yama Man
Waking
Reprise Reprise
Spaight & Ashbury
Rhino a Go Go
Lab Test Animal
Ninety Pounds
Bimbos & Idiots
Joy Ride
Yama Yama Man
Waking
Reprise Reprise
Spaight & Ashbury
Enjoy,
NØ
Fried Milk
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No Contest
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Honey Bubble
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Nicely, NØ. I was introduced to this band back in the 80s alongside Saccharine Trust and firehose and consequently always think of them as somehow sonically linked. It's been a while since i last heard TB so it'll be good to make their re-acquaintance.
ReplyDeleteSST had such a wide variety of great bands but all the acts were definitely sonically linked by the overall excellent SST sound. Enjoy the re-aquaint.
DeleteThe first Tar Babies record Face the Music (1983) was a masterpiece, if one liked one's harcore a bit weird. By '87 they'd fallen off my radar... I'll have to give these a listen, thx, Lizrd Jawny Jewel
ReplyDeleteThanks LJJ. the SST years are my favorite of this outfit. How you enjoy these later 80s offerings.
DeleteNice to have alternate copies thanks NØ. Never heard that about the first which I have on CD. I used to compare Fried Milk to Meat Puppets "Up On The Sun" as they came out near each other and by the time I got the "No Contest" vinyl it sat on my record player a long long time as I really did dig it and gave it high regards on my post with at least one person agreeing. Cheers and thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThanks VCME. Another of the SST roster was Meat Puppets. Another score.
DeleteTar Babies had a "sibling" band back in the Madison hardcore days called Mecht Mensch. One of the guys who played in both bands was Dan Bitney, who has been a member of Tortoise for the last three decades. t r u e s t o r y !
ReplyDeleteThanks jonder. Alway dug all those bands (Mecht Mensch & Totoise). Bitney is such a talent, drummer, multi-instumentalist, & gun for hire all rolled into one.
Deletewoah. i've heard and liked all those bands but not obsessively enough to scour liner notes enough to track Dan Bitney's name. That's interesting, and a helluva broad musical swath. Thanks jonder, and thanks NØ.
DeleteMost welcome, anon.
Delete1980's SST was a treasure trove of wonderfully odd music and noteworthy music. They're even mentioned briefly in the book "Corporate Rock Sucks" about the rise and fall of the label.
ReplyDeleteSST has alway been a go-to label for askew but tremendous acts. I have many of their finest as cherished gems. Thanks brother & stay well.
Delete꧁꧂ THANKS ꧁꧂
ReplyDeleteMost welcome.
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