I bought that album when it first came out. What was that, almost 50 years ago? Just a year or two ago I found out what "a baby's arm holding an apple" meant. Apparently it's a British saying. I had no idea. I think I saw Michael Caine say this in an old movie is how I found out.
Yup, and don't get caught out by the false ending. Though as it's not on this album, you'd either have to step away from it or wait until you've finished it.
Sounds like a Utopian song, probably because it sorta is. Funny, I was rereading an EQ magazine 2008 with Todd on the cover. He mentioned the Tubes having a few songs and some ideas, to move things along he’d flesh out or help write or just write songs to get it done. For a while there I searched out Todd’s productions, Shaun Cassidy, Rick Derringer, Hall and Oates…others. Todd did an album call ReProductions where he did new versions of the bands he worked with. His version of Take It All by Badfinger is one of my favorites.
Tubes drummer Prairie Prince went on to work for Rundgren, playing his live shows for many years after the Tubes work dried up. I believe he's still with him.
This was the second of three tours I saw them on. This was the opening song. The show was chock full of stage antics and innovative showmanship that they were known for back then. The first time I saw them (1978) I was doing acid. When they came onstage (no opening act) I sat there, practically freaking out. The show was more theatrical than Alice Cooper's. It was almost sensory overload. But by the time they were on the third or fourth song I had settled in and began loving what was going on in front of me. LOL! Their 'Remote Control' album is a great album.
Hi Justin. Dave here. A strong opener to a terrific album. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference whether Todd was involved or not. Who am I kidding?! As the band points out, Todd is all over this album: producing, playing guitar, singing backing vocals. And I'm surprised he's not listed as a co-writer, because it really sounds like a Todd Rundgren album. That's fine by me. Remote Control was a successful album in the UK, and I went to one of six nights they played at London's Hammersmith Odeon on this tour. Loved the show, so theatrical.
Loved their first 3 albums and liked this one quite a bit as well. There was a great live album in there as well. After that I lost a lot of interest as they entered their top 40 phase. They had a famously elaborate live show with set and costume changes, huge props, and some rather R-rated content. Had the chance to see them 3 times - never just a concert but a full-blown SHOW. Most here will recommend you hear "White Punks On Dope" (and you should if you haven't) but I'd suggest "Brighter Day" for something more sonically interesting. This song is about TV, that's what's being turned on (see the album cover). Prairie Prince would go on to play with a wide range of artists, most notably Todd Rundgren, while Vince Welnick would later join the Grateful Dead.
This is a real gem of an album. And the cover pic predicts an actual product composed of a baby seat with a computer screen poised over it. Another great Tubes album, my first in fact, is "The Completion Backward Principle." I was introduced to their music when they appeared on SCTV's "The Fishin' Musician" with John Candy.
Screw that! When I was 18 I worked as a laborer setting refractory bricks for your dad within reach of him! It sucked. Flames licking in from both sides of the ovens. You had to wear multiple layers of clothes to protect you from the heat! I got out of that real fast and became an electrician, then an engineer. I know all about blast furnaces (we called them BOFs-basic oxygen furnaces), hot mills (strips, bars, and pipes), coke ovens, soaking pits--those are the worst jobs! I've seen them all. In short order I became an electrician in a cold mill, because, COLD! People who stay in hot mills are insane. Inland Steel, East Chicago, IN, Jan 1976-Jul 1985. Then I moved to Michigan and went to Michigan State University.
Definitely a concept album. Great collection of songs that speaks to an issue that is more relevant today than ever: social media addiction. This song called "Turn Me On" is the T.V. remote control speaking to the addict, same as our Smartphone does to us today (did I say "smart"? yikes). Just review the song titles to get a feel for where this album goes. Worth a full listen to anyone that wants to experience a 1979 album that spoke to the future very accurately.
Tubes are awesome-I suggest 'Out of the Business', 'Talk to ya Later', 'White Punks on Dope' and 'She's a Beauty' are great tunes. I've been fortunate to see The Tubes live several times. They always put on awesome show-a unique and fun band!
The Tubes' songs were usually commentaries on different aspects of modern life - some more obscure than others. In British terms, they fall somewhere between The Kinks and Half Man Half Biscuit.
I saw them in LA many years ago. What a show. Fee Waybill's Quay Lewd character was something to see. 'White Punks on Dope' is a must. As well as 'What Do You Want From Life'
Do my ears and eyes deceive me or is Justin reacting to The Tubes? Great album! Definitely a themed album if not a full out concept album. Especially love the second side. Their first album is a mind blowing debut. I hope you do this whole album. Saw them live in 85 as a double bill with Utopia! Great show!
Yep as others have said White Punks or What do you want from Life? would have been better. Fantastic band. Incredible, groundbreaking live. And come on, even on this track which isn’t best you gotta appreciate one of THE best drummers, Prairie Prince…
I hear that sometimes Fee Waybill would take a break and let Quay Lewd take over the singing for a while, singing beautiful ballads like White Punks on Dope. They were embassy kids, weren't they? And they got started in the UK, rather than back in California. Maybe they even literally lived in chateaus at some time? Should I share more such ignorance? Might as well. One day you need to look at the White Punks on Dope video. It's ridiculous.
Love's a Mystery and No Mercy are good ones. Great concept album. Lead singer Fee Waybill's character in the two-foot platform shoes was Quay Lewd, a drugged out British rock star meant to be a parody of American music from James Brown through the Glam movement.
Love this album , but very different from the first two albums. As others have suggested, White Punks on Dope, What do you want from Life or Mondo Bondage . I saw them when they toured for this lp , Squeeze were the opener .
I was wondering when you would get around to The Tubes. Their next album was incredible. "Talk to You Later," "Sushi Girl," "Monkey Time." Then later in the 80's they had "She's a Beauty," probably their biggest hit. This song certainly gives you the idea. ("White Punks on Dope" gets a lot of love, but it's kind of "meh" to me.)
I was a fan of this group, but this track is not a great introduction to them. 'White Punks On Dope' would be that track. The entire first two albums are great. Thanks for the reaction.
It's ok, though I likely wouldn't play it nowadays... I only remember a few of their tunes (WPOD, being the main one), but couldn't take them seriously due their theatrics. Hard to believe, but I could be quite the po-faced muso BITD, haha.
I believe the definitive Tubes track is "What Do You Want From Life?" 😊
seconded
I bought that album when it first came out. What was that, almost 50 years ago? Just a year or two ago I found out what "a baby's arm holding an apple" meant. Apparently it's a British saying. I had no idea. I think I saw Michael Caine say this in an old movie is how I found out.
"A foolproof plan and an airtight alibi!"
> I believe the definitive Tubes track is "What Do You Want From Life?"
Agree!
@@Rael_486 sorry to be a grammar Nazi, but you need to edit to erase the apostrophe which denotes possessive or a contraction. It's plural.
If you’ve never heard of them JP then your in for a treat listening to ‘White Punks on Dope ‘ 😅 for the first time 👌
This is lush too
👍🏴
Yup, and don't get caught out by the false ending. Though as it's not on this album, you'd either have to step away from it or wait until you've finished it.
Would not recommend White Punks on Dope. Haha!
@@dannylgriffin well I would .. ha ha 👀
👍🏴
Good band, yeah "White Punks on Dope" is a must. Tubes, Television, Crack the Sky, good mid seventies alternatives to disco.
Nina Hagen did a nice radical cover of this.
HEY!!! Don't touch me there
☝🏻
@@JustJP This is a song off their Young and Rich album. Their 2nd release. It's a hot one
Sounds like a Utopian song, probably because it sorta is. Funny, I was rereading an EQ magazine 2008 with Todd on the cover. He mentioned the Tubes having a few songs and some ideas, to move things along he’d flesh out or help write or just write songs to get it done.
For a while there I searched out Todd’s productions, Shaun Cassidy, Rick Derringer, Hall and Oates…others.
Todd did an album call ReProductions where he did new versions of the bands he worked with. His version of Take It All by Badfinger is one of my favorites.
My reaction exactly - it's so much like Utopia, down to the vocals, harmonies, instruments, everything.
Tubes drummer Prairie Prince went on to work for Rundgren, playing his live shows for many years after the Tubes work dried up. I believe he's still with him.
@@summertime_blooz
I was aware but my comment was getting long…
RIP Jesse Gress
@
Oops and RA were before this so he had it down to a science.
This was the second of three tours I saw them on. This was the opening song. The show was chock full of stage antics and innovative showmanship that they were known for back then.
The first time I saw them (1978) I was doing acid. When they came onstage (no opening act) I sat there, practically freaking out. The show was more theatrical than Alice Cooper's. It was almost sensory overload. But by the time they were on the third or fourth song I had settled in and began loving what was going on in front of me. LOL!
Their 'Remote Control' album is a great album.
Prime Time was my favorite off this album 🙂
Hi Justin. Dave here. A strong opener to a terrific album. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference whether Todd was involved or not. Who am I kidding?! As the band points out, Todd is all over this album: producing, playing guitar, singing backing vocals. And I'm surprised he's not listed as a co-writer, because it really sounds like a Todd Rundgren album. That's fine by me. Remote Control was a successful album in the UK, and I went to one of six nights they played at London's Hammersmith Odeon on this tour. Loved the show, so theatrical.
Loved their first 3 albums and liked this one quite a bit as well. There was a great live album in there as well. After that I lost a lot of interest as they entered their top 40 phase. They had a famously elaborate live show with set and costume changes, huge props, and some rather R-rated content. Had the chance to see them 3 times - never just a concert but a full-blown SHOW. Most here will recommend you hear "White Punks On Dope" (and you should if you haven't) but I'd suggest "Brighter Day" for something more sonically interesting.
This song is about TV, that's what's being turned on (see the album cover).
Prairie Prince would go on to play with a wide range of artists, most notably Todd Rundgren, while Vince Welnick would later join the Grateful Dead.
This is a real gem of an album. And the cover pic predicts an actual product composed of a baby seat with a computer screen poised over it. Another great Tubes album, my first in fact, is "The Completion Backward Principle." I was introduced to their music when they appeared on SCTV's "The Fishin' Musician" with John Candy.
Cheers Justin. Would you believe my dad worked inside blast furnaces as a maintenance bricklayer?
Really?! Living well up to the name Rich!
Screw that! When I was 18 I worked as a laborer setting refractory bricks for your dad within reach of him! It sucked. Flames licking in from both sides of the ovens. You had to wear multiple layers of clothes to protect you from the heat! I got out of that real fast and became an electrician, then an engineer. I know all about blast furnaces (we called them BOFs-basic oxygen furnaces), hot mills (strips, bars, and pipes), coke ovens, soaking pits--those are the worst jobs! I've seen them all. In short order I became an electrician in a cold mill, because, COLD! People who stay in hot mills are insane. Inland Steel, East Chicago, IN, Jan 1976-Jul 1985. Then I moved to Michigan and went to Michigan State University.
Definitely a concept album. Great collection of songs that speaks to an issue that is more relevant today than ever: social media addiction. This song called "Turn Me On" is the T.V. remote control speaking to the addict, same as our Smartphone does to us today (did I say "smart"? yikes). Just review the song titles to get a feel for where this album goes. Worth a full listen to anyone that wants to experience a 1979 album that spoke to the future very accurately.
Tubes are awesome-I suggest 'Out of the Business', 'Talk to ya Later', 'White Punks on Dope' and 'She's a Beauty' are great tunes. I've been fortunate to see The Tubes live several times. They always put on awesome show-a unique and fun band!
The Tubes' songs were usually commentaries on different aspects of modern life - some more obscure than others.
In British terms, they fall somewhere between The Kinks and Half Man Half Biscuit.
Love this entire album!!
I saw them in LA many years ago. What a show. Fee Waybill's Quay Lewd character was something to see.
'White Punks on Dope' is a must. As well as 'What Do You Want From Life'
"Love's a Mystery" on this album is a serious banger, written by Todd.
This is a really strong Tubes album. I love the Rundgren/Utopia production. Fee has such a great vocal range in this song. He never dodges notes.
The synths are totally tubular, man! This really has a core 80's feel to it. Should have been in a sound track in a movie. 😁
Do my ears and eyes deceive me or is Justin reacting to The Tubes? Great album! Definitely a themed album if not a full out concept album. Especially love the second side. Their first album is a mind blowing debut. I hope you do this whole album. Saw them live in 85 as a double bill with Utopia! Great show!
Yep as others have said White Punks or What do you want from Life? would have been better. Fantastic band. Incredible, groundbreaking live. And come on, even on this track which isn’t best you gotta appreciate one of THE best drummers, Prairie Prince…
I can hear it.
I hear that sometimes Fee Waybill would take a break and let Quay Lewd take over the singing for a while, singing beautiful ballads like White Punks on Dope.
They were embassy kids, weren't they? And they got started in the UK, rather than back in California. Maybe they even literally lived in chateaus at some time? Should I share more such ignorance? Might as well.
One day you need to look at the White Punks on Dope video. It's ridiculous.
Yes! I love The Tubes. They were a bit kitschy early on, produced some catchy '80s albums.
This is a great album, definitely worth a listen.
Good track.
Love's a Mystery and No Mercy are good ones. Great concept album. Lead singer Fee Waybill's character in the two-foot platform shoes was Quay Lewd, a drugged out British rock star meant to be a parody of American music from James Brown through the Glam movement.
Love this album , but very different from the first two albums. As others have suggested, White Punks on Dope, What do you want from Life or Mondo Bondage .
I saw them when they toured for this lp , Squeeze were the opener .
TV is King is the killer track off this album. IMO.
Remote Control is my favourite album by The Tubes, so Justin, feel free to listen to the rest of the album on your channel.😉
I was wondering when you would get around to The Tubes. Their next album was incredible. "Talk to You Later," "Sushi Girl," "Monkey Time." Then later in the 80's they had "She's a Beauty," probably their biggest hit. This song certainly gives you the idea. ("White Punks on Dope" gets a lot of love, but it's kind of "meh" to me.)
I was a fan of this group, but this track is not a great introduction to them. 'White Punks On Dope' would be that track. The entire first two albums are great. Thanks for the reaction.
Not heard of rhe tubes.just jp crawled from under a rock
Not bad but not something I would search out or choose on my own.
not the best song to start a Tubes odyssey
It's ok, though I likely wouldn't play it nowadays... I only remember a few of their tunes (WPOD, being the main one), but couldn't take them seriously due their theatrics. Hard to believe, but I could be quite the po-faced muso BITD, haha.