Y’know, for as much as the internet seems fascinated by the “weird bands” of old—Frank Zappa, the Butthole Surfers, Ween, Mr. Bungle, and even recent ones like System of a Down—I’m surprised that almost nobody has talked about The Tubes.
They had a biting satirical edge, an intricate live show that involved the members wearing costumes and portraying characters, and a musical style that blended punk, glam rock, and synth-driven pop. They were essentially the Falsies of the 1970s-80s. And they had multiple hits! Yet nowadays, the Tubes are mostly only known as one-hit wonders for “She’s a Beauty” and for having a brief appearance in the oft derided movie Xanadu.