Only time I've thought 'fuck I'm properly damaging my health here', was Motorhead at the Mayfair in the mid 80s. Only gig I've ever been too that physically hurt!
Fingers crossed it lasts but my hearing is fine despite hundreds of rock gigs.I seem to remember at school it was a badge of honour to see a band and still have your ears ringing for at least 3 days after the event. Motörhead were always the main culprits for me. The smaller the venue the better the ringing… how foolish we were :)
It was always a bonus to be right at the front with your head practically in the speaker bins. I wonder if it’s possible to sue anyone for ear damage?!!
Nice review mate.This is my first reply to this thread in being both new here and way behind in seeing/reading these reviews.
I’ve seen many stellar albums covered in this thread - from Jason Isbell's Southeastern, DBT's Southern Rock Opera (a personal labor of love made on the cheap!), The Macabees, Oasis' the Masterplan, Bruce’s E Street Shuffle, and many others I've enjoyed reading up on this week.
This album came out when I was still only single digits old, and the past few days was my first listens to it from start to finish. They reminded me of Spinal Tap before that was even a thing 9 years later, and I’m not surprised from the link above they opened for Bowie. Very appropriate.
I knew of the Tubes from the early 80's with “Talk To Ya Later”, “Dancin’” from Xanadu, and especially "She's a Beauty" in my teenage years. The only song I recognized in advance here was “White Punks on Dope”.
As soon as this album ended on Spotify, it went straight to tracks I know very well from the Cars first 2 albums, Roxy Music, Donnie Iris’s “Ah! Leah!”, and early Joe Jackson. A few being more radio friendly offerings that just got more airplay outside of San Fran.
Track by Track thoughts below.
Up From the Deep – loved the opening: “San Francisco, here we go!” Had a Gabriel Genesis vibe to it. Prog/glam rock offering.
Haloes – a strong song I immediately liked, it reminded me of early 70’s Chicago when I first heard it, especially the vocal harmonies. A good rocking song, heavy guitar licks, a strong effort.
Space Baby – atmospheric mid-tempo song. Nice keyboards near the end, but not my favorite.
Malagueña Salerosa – the more I’ve listened to this, the more I like it. This one has grown on me the most. Loved the lyrics and tempo.
Mondo Bondage – reminded me of Led Zep’s Rock And Roll drum intro, heavy synths, a good funky number, perhaps inspired Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom”?
What Do You Want from Life? – might be my favorite never heard song on the album, just on the strong lyrics alone. The song is really good, from start to finish. “A Las Vegas wedding, a Mexican divorce”
Boy Crazy – smart lyrics, but just didn’t like the song as much as others.
White Punks on Dope – from what I’ve seen online, this song was great to experience live. I remember hearing this on AOR radio in the late 70’s and early 80’s well after this album came out. Strong final track to end the album.
I’m rating The Tubes a 6/10 as a debut album. I can understand how this would mean much more to those who either saw them live or were teens who could relate to this when it came out. The Tubes from this album are a group I need to listen to more, and not just the songs I've been familiar with.
Welcome in BWBMT! Nice to have you and great review!This is my first reply to this thread in being both new here and way behind in seeing/reading these reviews.
I’ve seen many stellar albums covered in this thread - from Jason Isbell's Southeastern, DBT's Southern Rock Opera (a personal labor of love made on the cheap!), The Macabees, Oasis' the Masterplan, Bruce’s E Street Shuffle, and many others I've enjoyed reading up on this week.
This album came out when I was still only single digits old, and the past few days was my first listens to it from start to finish. They reminded me of Spinal Tap before that was even a thing 9 years later, and I’m not surprised from the link above they opened for Bowie. Very appropriate.
I knew of the Tubes from the early 80's with “Talk To Ya Later”, “Dancin’” from Xanadu, and especially "She's a Beauty" in my teenage years. The only song I recognized in advance here was “White Punks on Dope”.
As soon as this album ended on Spotify, it went straight to tracks I know very well from the Cars first 2 albums, Roxy Music, Donnie Iris’s “Ah! Leah!”, and early Joe Jackson. A few being more radio friendly offerings that just got more airplay outside of San Fran.
Track by Track thoughts below.
Up From the Deep – loved the opening: “San Francisco, here we go!” Had a Gabriel Genesis vibe to it. Prog/glam rock offering.
Haloes – a strong song I immediately liked, it reminded me of early 70’s Chicago when I first heard it, especially the vocal harmonies. A good rocking song, heavy guitar licks, a strong effort.
Space Baby – atmospheric mid-tempo song. Nice keyboards near the end, but not my favorite.
Malagueña Salerosa – the more I’ve listened to this, the more I like it. This one has grown on me the most. Loved the lyrics and tempo.
Mondo Bondage – reminded me of Led Zep’s Rock And Roll drum intro, heavy synths, a good funky number, perhaps inspired Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom”?
What Do You Want from Life? – might be my favorite never heard song on the album, just on the strong lyrics alone. The song is really good, from start to finish. “A Las Vegas wedding, a Mexican divorce”
Boy Crazy – smart lyrics, but just didn’t like the song as much as others.
White Punks on Dope – from what I’ve seen online, this song was great to experience live. I remember hearing this on AOR radio in the late 70’s and early 80’s well after this album came out. Strong final track to end the album.
I’m rating The Tubes a 6/10 as a debut album. I can understand how this would mean much more to those who either saw them live or were teens who could relate to this when it came out. The Tubes from this album are a group I need to listen to more, and not just the songs I've been familiar with.
Friends of mine who saw them claimed Black Crowes was one of the loudest shows they've seen back in the 90's as an opening band.Motorhead at the Apollo and Motley Crue at the Nashvile Arena were the most painfully loud gigs I've attended.
Most shows I see these day are at small, intimate venues, so I use my ear plugs without question as I'm usually very close to the speakers. I will take them out from time to time to compare, and I find I can hear the music *just fine* with them in.I think Deep Purple at Knebworth may have set some sort of record for volume at the time but we were not close to the stage and it was outdoors so no pain.
I do use ear plugs at some gigs these days. Always try to remember to take them along.
Interesting and reasonably varied array there.Friends of mine who saw them claimed Black Crowes was one of the loudest shows they've seen back in the 90's as an opening band.
Most shows I see these day are at small, intimate venues, so I use my ear plugs without question as I'm usually very close to the speakers. I will take them out from time to time to compare, and I find I can hear the music *just fine* with them in.
Glad I had them recently for front row DBT, mewithoutYou, Jason Isbell, Dawes, the Church, My Morning Jacket, etc...