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One of the most influential bands to come out of the punk/new-wave era, Pere Ubu and its related projects continue to release astonishing music.
1975 - 1976
From the ashes of Cleveland proto-punk group Rocket From the Tombs, Pere Ubu is formed by David Thomas and Peter Laughner with Tom Herman, Scott Krauss, Allen Ravenstine, and Tim Wright (and later Dave Taylor). The group releases influential early singles "30 Seconds Over Tokyo/Heart of Darkness" and "Final Solution/Cloud 149." Laughners behavior becomes increasingly erratic and he is removed from the group. Wright leaves.
1976 - 1979
The "classic" line-up of Tom Herman, Scott Krauss, Tony Maimone, Allen Ravenstine, and David Thomas. The group issues several more singles and record their definitive LPs "The Modern Dance" and "Dub Housing" as well as the underappreciated "New Picnic Time."
1979 - 1982
Herman leaves the group and records solo and with his group Tripod Jimmy. Mayo Thompson of legendary Texas psychedelic group the Red Krayola replaces him. The group records the avant-rock masterpiece "The Art of Walking" and appears in the film "Urgh! A Music War." Krauss leaves the group in 81 and is replaced by Anton Fier (The Golden Palominos). The group records "Song of the Bailing Man," tours, and disbands.
1982 - 1987
Krauss and Maimone record as Home and Garden, a group that features future Ubu-members Jim Jones, Michele Temple, and Robert Wheeler. Thomas records a series of solo-albums featuring a rotating cast of musicians including Richard Thompson, Anton Fier, Chris Cutler, Jim Jones, Tony Maimone, Allen Ravenstine, and others.
1987 - 1989
Pere Ubu reforms - essentially the "classic" line-up of Krauss, Maimone, Ravenstine, and Thomas (minus Tom Herman) with the addition of Jim Jones and Chris Cutler. The group hits the road and records the clanging "Tenement Year" followed by the poppier "Cloudland." Ravenstine retires from music. Chris Cutler leaves to focus on myriad other projects.
1989 - 1991
Captain Beefheart and Snakefinger collaborator Eric Drew Feldman replaces Ravenstine. The group records "Worlds in Collision" and appears on David Letterman. In late 91, they tour with the Pixies.
1992 - 1993
Feldman leaves to work with Pixies front-man Frank Black. The group records "Story of My Life" as a four-piece. Before the 93 tour to promote the album, Maimone leaves to play and record with They Might Be Giants. He is replaced by Michele Temple, formerly of Home and Garden. Cellist Garo Yellin fills the synth slot.
1994 - 1995
The group begins to work on a new album. Krauss, unhappy with the direction, leaves. Robert Wheeler (like Temple formerly of Home and Garden) is brought in to play synths. The group records "Raygun Suitcase" with drummer Scott Benedict (who declines to join). Due to health reasons, Jones retires from the road. Krauss restarts Home and Garden with contributions from Temple, Maimone, and others.
1995 - 2005
Tom Herman returns to the group. Steve Mehlman (from Temples group the Vivians) is brought in to play drums. During this period the group records "Pennsylvania" (1998) and "St. Arkansas" (2002). Thomas restarts his solo recording career with David Thomas and Two Pale Boys (Andy Diagram and Keith Moline) releasing "Erewhon" in 1996, and several other worthwhile albums. In 1996, DGC releases a Pere Ubu box-set "Datapanik in the Year Zero," collecting the groups first five albums as well as Ubu-related rarities. In 2002, "The Day the Earth Met the Rocket from the Tombs" chronicling Thomas and Laughners proto-Ubu group, is released. RFTT regroups with Richard Lloyd (of Television fame) filling the deceased Laughners slot. They record their live set as "Rocket Redux" (2004).
2005 - 2006
Herman retires from Ubu. Pale Boy Keith Moline replaces him. The group records "Why I Hate Women" (2006) The 1984 Home and Garden LP "History and Geography" is re-released on CD. The group plays a CD release show with a line-up including Tom Herman, Scott Krauss, Tony Maimone, and Robert Wheeler. Rocket From the Tombs begins writing its first new material in 30 years and tours. This Profile is not affiliated with Ubu Projex Official content comes from ubuprojex.net, smogveil.com, ubudance.com, Yahoo! Ubu Foundation, Home and Garden Music. Explore the world of Pere Ubu and its related projects on the web!
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