10 Albums in 10 Days; Day 2 - The Tubes.

My first exposure to The Tubes was the video stuff from "Completion Backwards Principle" that was rotated on MTV in the first few weeks of its existence. Then, a friend turned me onto "What Do You Want From Life," the second track on what was then the second side of this record. (Of course, the art of sides is lost on a CD.)

My life was changed in an instant.


I was blown away by the talent and diversity of this band. What I had originally dismissed as a glam-punk act like the Plasmatics turned out to be so much more.

This first album, produced by Al Kooper, features progressive Rock ("Up From the Deep"), San Francisco Swing ("Haloes"), Mariachi ("Malaguena Salerosa"), Las Vegas Show (What Do You Want From Life?"), and sounds that only The Tubes could make in raw rockers like "Mondo Bondage," and "Boy Crazy."

The writing is complicated, tight, soulful, technical, lyrically brilliant... I can't say enough about them, musically. Unfortunately, the band's on-stage antics always got more attention than their music - an assumption that I had fallen to - which is a real tragedy.

Prairie Prince is one of the greatest drummers alive, (Don't miss his playing in "Up From the Deep" and "What Do You Want From Life") and the playing of Roger Steen (lead guitar) and Vince Welnick (piano and keys) is unparalleled in almost any rock act. They are true masters of their instruments. Fee Waybill (lead vocals) and Bill Spooner (guitar, lead vocals) bring a vocal sound to the band that is raw and soulful. The band is rounded out by way-better-than-average bassist Rick Anderson and Synth player, Michael Cotten.

The first two records, this one and "Young and Rich," I think are must-haves in any serious collection.
This album was the start of a life-long love affair with this band. I have their entire catalog and have probably seen them live more than any other act. They also led me to Todd Rundgren, an amazing songwriter, performer, and producer that far too many people have never heard of. Todd produced two Tubes albums: "Remote Control" and "Love Bomb."

The Tubes self-titled debut is definitely cemented in my top 10 records, ever.