Since the dawning of The Tubes in 1975, the San Francisco-based rockers forged a reputation for their electrifying and uninhibited live performances. After several years of playing the bar scene, the band hit it big with its sixth studio album, “The Completion Backward Principle” (1981). This concept record was presented as a motivational business document and included two hit singles. “Don’t Want to Wait Anymore” went all the way to No. 35 on the pop chart and No. 22 on the mainstream rock tracks chart, while “Talk to Ya Later” reached No. 6 on the latter. Upon the album release, The Tubes performed it in its entirety live on West German television program “Der Musikladen” (The Music Shop) produced by Radio Bremen, a show which spotlighted a variety of bands between 1972 and 1984.
Now, for the first time ever, “Tubes – Live at German Television: The Musikladen Concert 1981” is available on DVD. Combining its satirical lyrics and lavish, off-color theatrics, the disc takes us back to the progressive beginnings of The Tubes. Relive the era and the band’s distinct sound and exclusionary style or discover it for the first time right here in absolute raw form. “Say hello to a whole new way of listening,” lead singer Fee Waybill told the studio and broadcast audiences. “This is who we are and what we do in The Tubes group… Why not reach out and grab all you can get?”
The Tubes “Der Musikladen” Concert Setlist on April 24, 1981 | “A Matter of Pride,” “TV is King,” “Think About Me,” “Talk to Ya Later,” “Sports Fans,” “Amnesia,” “Mr. Hate,” “Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman,” “Smoke,” “Mondo Bondage,” “Don’t Want to Wait Anymore,” “Power Tools,” “Business Dance,” “Don’t Slow Down,” “Sushi Girl,” “Tubes World Tour” and “Let’s Make Some Noise”
**The Tubes personnel: Fee Waybill (lead vocals), Roger Steen and Bill Spooner (guitars and vocals), Rick Anderson (bass), Vince Welnick (keyboards and vocals), Michael Cotten (keyboards) and Prairie Prince (drums and percussion) plus Re Styles, Cheryl Hangland and Cynthia Rhodes (background vocals and dancing)**
