Tad (band)

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Tad was a rock band from Seattle, Washington. Tad was one of the many bands which came out of Seattle in the grunge era. Their music has noticeable 1970s metal influence, rather than the punk which influenced most other grunge bands. The band member had a distinct look, dressing like northwestern lumberjacks. Led by the ex-butcher Tad Doyle on vocals and guitar, Tad was formed in late 1988 by Doyle and bassist Kurt Danielson, who met at a Christian potluck dinner. They played together in a band called Bundle of Hiss until 1988. Doyle himself was previously the drummer for a band called H-Hour. They recruited Steve Weid (from Skin Yard) on drums and Gary Thorstenson on guitar.

Tad were the last Seattle band to be signed onto Sub Pop, which was wallowing in the new success of grunge music. Their debut album was God's Balls (1989), produced by Jack Endino. In March 1990 they released Salt Lick, recorded by Steve Albini. The single "Wood Goblins" was released in the same year, and was banned by MTV on the grounds that the video was "too ugly". After a tour with Nirvana, Tad returned to Seattle and recorded 8-Way Santa (1991), named after a type of blotter acid. Produced by Butch Vig (better known for Nirvana's Nevermind), the album was far more pop-oriented than its predecessors, featuring such songs as "Jinx", "Stumblin' Man" and "Jack Pepsi". "Jack Pepsi" would become their best-known song, but Pepsi filed a lawsuit against the band due to the cover art on the single, which was the Pepsi logo with "TAD" in place of "PEPSI." Another lawsuit was filed due to the cover of 8-Way Santa (which was a found picture of a man fondling a woman's breast.) The couple in the photograph, who were born-again Christians and married, took exception and sued. Tad changed the album cover.

Image:Tad 8waysanta.gif

After a very brief acting stint in Singles, Tad were offered their first major-label opportunity by Giant. However, Steve Weid had left, joining Willard, and later Foil. Josh Sinder, previously of the Accused, played drums on Inhaler (1993), Tad's major-label debut album. Inhaler failed to break the band, even though they were chosen to open for Soundgarden's 1994 tour. Another lawsuit followed when a poster promoting Inhaler featured Bill Clinton smoking a joint with the caption "This is heavy shit".

After Kurt Cobain's death, Tad faced many problems (as did many other grunge bands). In 1995, the band released Live Alien Broadcasts on Futurist Records, which was a best-of live studio recording. Thorstensen left but they secured a second major-label deal with Elektra's EastWest Records, and released Infrared Riding Hood late in 1995 with Doyle doing all guitar work for the album. Tad were dropped again when the album received disappointing sales. They continued to gig for a few years before Sinder left in 1997, joining the Hotrod Lunatics. He was replaced by Mike Mongrain of Foil on drums. "Oppenheimer's Pretty Nightmare/Accident On the Way to Church" was released as a single in 1999 on Amphetamine Reptile Records then Tad broke up.

Kurt Danielson joined Valis, a project involving members of Screaming Trees and Mudhoney, and Doyle formed Hog Molly in 2001, releasing the album Kung-Fu Cocktail Grip in the same year.