The Tubes were a theatrical art-rock troupe that built a cult following in San Francisco before scoring a major-label contract with A&M Records (you can thank Rick Wakeman for that). Their elaborate stageshow carried over onto their records, which featured high-production numbers such as “What Do You Want From Life?,” “Mondo Bondage,” “White Punks On Dope” and “Tubes World Tour.” Their debut, produced by Al Kooper, was one of the best records of 1975, and suggested a cross between Utopia and Chicago. Their next album, Young And Rich, was slightly less ambitious in scope but still impressive.
The revolving producer’s chair backfired on Now, but the band steadied themselves on the Todd Rundgren-produced concept album, Remote Control, which sounded uncannily like a Utopia album. In the 1980s, the band switched to Capitol Records and began making more commercial music. The band’s commercial overtures coincided nicely with the growing interest in music videos, a natural fit for the visually minded Tubes. “Talk To Ya Later” (from The Completion Backward Principle) and “She’s A Beauty” (from Outside Inside) introduced The Tubes to a wider audience. Finally, The Tubes were on top.
The band’s fortunes began to wane, however, with the prophetically titled Love Bomb. The band lost its contract with Capitol and folded soon after, with Fee Waybill and Bill Spooner each releasing solo albums around this time. In the 90s, the band reunited briefly and recorded a new album, Genius of America. I liked it, but what do I know?
The Discography
THE TUBES (1975)
Up From The Deep / Haloes / Space Baby / Malaguena Salerosa // Mondo Bondage / What Do You Want From Life / Boy Crazy / White Punks On Dope. Released on elpee in 1975 in the US and Canada (A&M, SP-4534), the UK and the Netherlands (A&M, AMLH-64534), Australia and New Zealand (A&M, L35682) and Japan (A&M, GP-261) with lyrics innersleeve; reached #113 on the US charts. Re-issued on elpee in Germany (A&M, 393 161) and the UK (EMI/Fame, FA-3066). Re-issued on compact disc in 1988 in the US (A&M, CD-3161). Re-released on remastered compact disc in 1990 in the US (Mobile Fidelity, MFCD-822). Re-packaged with Young & Rich on compact disc on November 17, 2003 in the UK (Acadia, ACA-8065) as White Punks On Dope.
White Punks On Dope (1975)
b/w What Do You Want From Life. Released on 7-inch in August 1975 in the US (A&M, 1733) with picture sleeve. Also released on 7-inch single on January 23, 1976 in the UK (A&M, AMS 7209) with A and B reversed. Re-released on three-track 12-inch on November 11, 1977 in the UK (A&M, AMS-7323) with “Don’t Touch Me There;” reached #28 on the UK charts (charted on November 19, 1977 for 4 weeks).
What Do You Want From Life (1975)
Released on promotional 7-inch in November 1975 in the US (A&M, 1755) feat. A mono on flip.
YOUNG AND RICH (1976)
Tubes World Tour / Brighter Day / Pimp / Stand Up And Shout / Don’t Touch Me There // Slipped My Disco / Proud To Be An American / Poland Whole/Madam I’m Adam / Young And Rich. Released on elpee in April 1976 in the US and Canada (A&M, SP-4580), the UK and the Netherlands (A&M, AMLH-64580) and Australia (A&M, L35892) with embossed cover and innersleeve; reached #46 on the US charts. Re-issued on elpee and compact disc in the US (A&M, SP/CD-3222). Re-packaged with The Tubes on compact disc on November 17, 2003 in the UK (Acadia, ACA-8065).
Don’t Touch Me There (1976)
b/w Proud To Be An American. Released on 7-inch single in June 1976 in the US (A&M, 1826) and on June 25, 1976 in the UK (A&M, AMS-7239); reached #61 on the US charts (charted on July 4, 1976 for 7 weeks).
NOW (1977)
Smoke (Le Vie En Fumer) / Hit Parade / Strung Out On Strings / Golden Boy / My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains // God-Bird-Change / I’m Just A Mess / Cathy’s Clone / This Town / Pound of Flesh / You’re No Fun. Released on elpee in 1977 in the US (A&M, SP-4632) and the UK (A&M, AMLH-64632); reached #122 on the US charts. Re-issued on compact disc in 2004 in the UK (Acadia, ACA-8069).
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM LIVE (1978)
Live tracks: Overture / Got Yourself A Deal / Show Me A Reason / What Do You Want From Life? / God-Bird-Change / Special Ballet / Don’t Touch Me There / Mondo Bondage / Smoke (La Vie En Fumer) // Crime Medley / I Was A Punk Before You Were A Punk / I Saw Her Standing There / Drum Solo / Boy Crazy / You’re No Fun / Stand Up And Shout / White Punks on Dope. Released on 2LP and 8-track in 1978 in the US (A&M, SP-6003), the UK (A&M, AMLM-68460) and Japan (A&M, AMP-8009/10) with gatefold cover; reached #82 on the US charts and #38 on the UK charts. Re-issued on 2LP in Japan (A&M, GXG-1015/6) with gatefold cover. Re-issued on compact disc in 1994 in the UK (A&M, 396 003).
Show Me A Reason (live) (1978)
b/w I Saw Her Standing There (live) (US), Mondo Bondage (live) (UK), Crime Medley (live) (NET). Released on 7-inch single in May 1978 in the US (A&M, 2037-S), on May 5, 1978 in the UK (A&M, AMS 7349) and in 1978 in the Netherlands (A&M, AMS-5643) with picture sleeve.
TUBES LIVE (1978)
Got Yourself A Deal / Show Me A Reason / What Do You Want From Life? / I Was A Punk Before You Were A Punk / I Saw Her Standing There // Special Ballet / Don’t Touch Me There / Mondo Bondage / Stand Up And Shout / White Punks On Dope. Released as promotional elpee in 1978 in the US (A&M, SP-17012).
Prime Time (1979)
b/w No Way Out. Released on 7-inch and 7-inch picture disc single in April 1979 in the US and Canada (A&M, 2120-S), on March 26, 1979 in the UK (A&M, AMS/AMSP-7423) and in 1979 in the Netherlands (A&M, AMS-6885) with picture sleeve; reached #34 on the UK charts (charted on April 28, 1979 for 10 weeks). Also released as 12-inch promotional single in 1979 in the US (A&M, SP-17068).
REMOTE CONTROL (1979)
Turn Me On / TV Is King / Prime Time / I Want It All Now / No Way Out / Getoverture / No Mercy / Only The Strong Survive / Be Mine Tonight / Love’s A Mystery (I Don’t Understand) / Telecide. Released on elpee in 1979 in the US (A&M, SP-4751); reached #46 on the US charts and #40 on the UK charts. Re-issued on compact disc in the S (A&M, 3242).
Love’s A Mystery (I Don’t Understand) (1979)
b/w Telecide (US), No Mercy (UK). Released on 7-inch in June 1979 in the US (A&M, 2149) and on November 2, 1979 in the UK (A&M, AMS 7487).
TV Is King (1979)
b/w Telecide. Released on 7-inch on August 3, 1979 in the UK (A&M, AMS 7462) with picture sleeve.
THE COMPLETION BACKWARD PRINCIPLE (1981)
Talk To You Later / Sushi Girl / Amnesia / Mr.Hate / Attack of the Fifty-Foot Woman // Think About Me / A Matter of Pride / Don’t Want To Wait Anymore / Power Tools / Let’s Make Some Noise. Released on elpee in 1981 in the US and Canada (Capitol, SOO-12151), the UK (Capitol, EST-26285) and Germany (Capitol, C064-400 009) with innersleeve; reached #36 on the US charts. Re-issued on elpee in the US (Capitol, SN-16378). Re-issued on compact disc in the US (Capitol, CDP 7 48454). Re-issued on elpee and compact disc on August 14, 2001 in the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOLP/BGOCD-100).
Talk To You Later (1981)
b/w Tube Talk/What’s Wrong With Me (UK), Power Tools (US), What’s Wrong (SPA). Released on 7-inch single on May 22, 1981 in the UK (Capitol, CL 201), in August 1981 in the US (Capitol, A-5016) and in 1981 in Spain (Capitol, C 006-086.372) with picture sleeve.
I Don’t Want To Wait Anymore (1981)
b/w Think About Me. Released on 7-inch single in June 1981 in the US and Canada (Capitol, 5007) and on July 24, 1981 in the UK (Capitol, CL-208) with picture sleeve; reached #35 on the US charts (charted on June 20, 1981 for 12 weeks) and #60 on the UK charts (charted September 12, 1981 for 4 weeks).
Sushi Girl (1981)
b/w Mr. Hate (UK), Think About Me (JPN). Released on 7-inch single on October 9, 1981 in the UK (Capitol, CL 219) and in 1981 in Japan (A&M, ECS-17146) with picture sleeve.
T.R.A.S.H. (TUBES RARITIES AND SMASH HITS) (1981)
Drivin’ All Night / What Do You Want From Life? / Turn Me On / Slipped My Disco / Don’t Touch Me There / Mondo Bondage / Love Will Keep Us Together / White Punks On Dope, Part A & B / Prime Time / I’m Just A Mess / Only The Strong Survive. Released on elpee in 1981 in the US (A&M, SP-4870); reached #148 on the US charts. Re-issued on compact disc in the US (A&M, 3244).
Gonna Get It Next Time (1982)
Released as a promotional 12-inch single in 1982 in the US (Capitol, SPRO-9728) feat. A only.
Sports Fans (1982)
b/w Gonna Get It Next Time. Released on 7-inch in February 1982 in the US (Capitol, B-5091) and in 1982 in Germany (Capitol, 1C 006-86 487) with picture sleeve.
OUTSIDE INSIDE (1983)
She’s A Beauty / No Not Again / Out of the Business / The Monkey Time / Glass House // Wild Women of Wongo / Tip of My Tongue / Fantastic Delusion / Drums / Theme Park / Outside Lookin’ Inside. Released on elpee and cassette in 1983 in the US and Canada (Capitol, ST-12260), the UK (Capitol, EST/TCEST-12260), France (Capitol, 2C 068 400164), Japan (Capitol, ECS-81574) and the Netherlands (Capitol, 1A 064 400164) with diecut cover; reached #18 on the US charts. Re-issued on compact disc in the S (Capitol, CDP 7 48453) and the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOCD-133).
She’s A Beauty (1983)
b/w When You’re Ready To Come + Fantastic Delusion. Released on 7-inch and three-track 12-inch single in March 1983 in the US (Capitol, B-5217) and in May 1983 in the UK (Capitol, CL/12CL-288) with picture sleeve; reached #10 on the US charts (charted on April 9, 1983 for 20 weeks). Also released as promotional 12-inch single in 1983 in the US (Capitol, SPRO-9909) feat. A only. Also released on 7-inch single in 1983 in Spain (Capitol) with “Out of the Business” on the B side.
Tip of My Tongue (1983)
b/w Keyboard Kids. Released on 7-inch single in July 1983 in the US and Canada (Capitol, B-5258) and Germany (Capitol, 1C 006 186 725-7) with picture sleeve; reached #52 on the US charts (charted on July 23, 1983 for 7 weeks). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1983 in the US (Capitol, P-B-5258) feat. A only.
The Monkey Time (1983)
b/w Sports Fans. Released on 7-inch single in September 1983 in the US and Canada (Capitol, B-5254) and Australia (Capitol, CP-1132) with picture sleeve; reached #68 on the US charts (charted on October 1, 1983 for 4 weeks). Also released as promotional 7-inch and 12-inch single in 1983 in the US (Capitol, P-B-5254/PRO-912) feat. A only.
Piece By Piece (1985)
b/w Night People. Released on 7-inch single in February 1985 in the US and Canada (Capitol, B5443) with picture sleeve; reached #87 on the US charts (charted on March 9, 1985 for 2 weeks).
LOVE BOMB (1985)
Piece By Piece / Stella / Come As You Are / One Good Reason / Bora Bora 2000 / Love Bomb // Night People / Say Hey / Eyes / Muscle Girls / Theme From A Wooly Place / For A Song / Say Hey (Part 2) / Feel It / Night People (Reprise). Released on elpee in March 1985 in the US and Canada (Capitol, ST-12381), Germany and the Netherlands (Capitol, 2403 061) and Japan (Capitol, ECS-81699); reached #87 on the US charts. Re-released on remastered compact disc in 2001 in the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOCD-188).
ATTACK OF THE TUBES (1987)
Talk To Ya Later / She’s A Beauty / Let’s Make Some Noise / Tip of My Tongue / Sushi Girl // Don’t Want To Wait Anymore / The Monkey Time / Amnesia / Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman. Compilation released on cassette in 1987 in the US (Capitol Special Markets, 4XL-9539).
THE BEST OF THE TUBES 1981-1987 (1991)
Talk To Ya Later / Sushi Girl / Amnesia / Attack of the Fifty-Foot Woman / Don’t Want To Wait Anymore / Let’s Make Some Noise / She’s A Beauty / The Monkey Time / Tip of My Tongue / Sports Fans. Released on compact disc in 1991 in Canada (CEMA Special Markets, CDL-57411). Re-released on compact disc on August 23, 2005 in the US (Capitol, 11575) with different cover. Re-packaged as The Best of The Tubes: Priceless Collection on compact disc on October 30, 2007 in the US (Collectables).
THE BEST OF THE TUBES (1992)
She’s A Beauty / Tip of My Tongue / Talk To You Later / Sushi Girl / Don’t Want To Wait Anymore / Bora Bora 2000/Love Bomb / No Not Again / The Monkey Time / Sports Fans / Come As You Are / Piece By Piece / Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman / When You’re Ready To Come / Keyboard Kids. Released on compact disc on November 9, 1992 in the US (Capitol, 98359).
GOIN’ DOWN (1996)
White Punks On Dope, Part A & B / Up From The Deep / Malaguena Salerosa / What Do You Want From Life /Boy Crazy / Tubes World Tour / Don’t Touch Me There / Slipped My Disco / My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains / God-Bird-Change / I’m Just A Mess / This Town / Pound of Flesh / Drivin’ All Night / Love Will Keep Us Together / White Punks On Dope / Turn Me On / TV Is King / Prime Time / I Want It All Now / Now Way Out / Getoverture / No Mercy / Only The Strong Survive / Be Mine Tonight / Love’s A Mystery (I Don’t Understand) / Telecide / Overture / Mondo Bondage / Crime Medley / I Was A Punk Before You Were A Punk / I Saw Her Standing There / White Punks On Dope. Released on 2CD in 1996 in the UK (A&M, 540 564).
GENIUS OF AMERICA (1996)
Genius of America / Arms of the Enemy / Say What You Want / How Can You Live With Yourself / Big Brother’s Still Watching / After All You Said / Fishhouse / Fastest Gun Alive / I Never Saw It Comin’ / Who Names The Hurricanes / It’s Too Late / Around The World. Released on compact disc on October 15, 1996 in the US (Popular/Critique, 12007) and Germany (Edel, EVE 83562).
How Can You Live With Yourself (single edit) (1997)
b/w How Can You Live With Yourself + Arms of the Enemy. Released on CD single in 1997 in Germany (Edel, EVE 83575).
THE TUBES INFOMERCIAL: HOW TO BECOME TUBULAR (1999)
Live tracks: Completion Backward Overture / Matter of Pride / Think About Me / Amnesia / Mr. Hate / Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman / Smoke (La Vie En Fumer) / Mondo Bondage / Don’t Want To Wait Anymore / Sushi Girl / Talk To You Later / Let’s Make Some Noise / Weebee Dance / White Punks On Dope. Recorded live in 1981 and released on compact disc in 1999 in the UK (Hux, 6662912632).
THE TUBES: HOODS FROM OUTER SPACE (1999)
Hoods From Outer Space / I Know You / Say What You Want / Around The World / Genius of America / Who Names The Hurricanes / It’s Too Late / How Can You Live With Yourself / I Never Saw It Comin’ / Arms of the Enemy / Fishhouse / Big Brother’s Still Watching / Fastest Gun Alive / After All You Said. Released on compact disc in 1999 in Europe (Brilliant, BT 33028). Re-packaged as 5 Star Freak Show on compact disc in 2001 in Germany (Deshima, DES301001-2). Re-packaged as The Tubes on expanded compact disc in 2001 in Germany (Falcon Neue Medien, 3937) with 1 bonus track (a different version of “I Know You”).
DAWN OF THE TUBES: DEMO DAZE AND RADIO WAVES (2000)
White Punks On Dope / Brighter Day / Mondo Bondage / Stand Up And Shout / Whiz Quiz / Never Amount To Nothing/Hermuta / Baby Your Face Mutated / Wonderbread Bodies / Lunch Face / Hip Hop. Released on compact disc on March 21, 2000 in the US (Phoenix Gems, 4001)/
WHITE PUNKS ON DOPE (2000)
Getoverture / Smoke (La Vie En Fumer) / Slipped My Disco / Don’t Touch Me There / My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains / Prime Time / TV Is King / I Saw Her Standing There (live) / Up From The Deep / Mondo Bondage / No Way Out / What Do You Want From Life / Love Will Keep Us Together / Poland Whole / Stand Up And Shout / I Was A Punk Before You Were A Punk / Turn Me On / White Punks On Dope. Released on compact disc on August 7, 2000 in the UK (Spectrum, 544325).
TWT 2001 (2000)
Live tracks: Introduction / Tubes World Tour / She’s A Beauty / Digidoll / TV Is King / Don’t Touch Me There / Tip of My Tongue / Loveline / Wld Women of Wongo / Mondo Bondage / White Punks On Dope / Talk To You Later. Released on compact disc on October 10, 2000 in the US (CMC International, 86300) and the UK (Sanctuary, SANCD-007).
Loveline (2000)
Released as promotional CD single in 2000 in the US (CMC International, 87330).
THE BEST OF THE TUBES – THE MILLENIUM COLLECTION (2000)
White Punks On Dope / What Do You Want From Life? / Mondo Bondage / Don’t Touch Me There / Slipped My Disco / Pound of Flesh / Turn Me On / Prime Time / I Want It All Now / Love’s A Mystery (I Don’t Understand) / Tubes World Tour. Compilation released on compact disc on October 17, 2000 in the US and Canada (A&M, 490 766).
EXTENDED VERSIONS (2001)
She’s A Beauty / Talk To Ya Later / Digi Doll / Wild Women of Wongo / Don’t Touch Me There / Loveline / Mondo Bondage / White Punks On Dope / Tip of My Tongue / Tubes World Tour. Released on compact disc on March 29, 2001 in the US (BMG Special Products, 75517457822).
THEN AND NOW (2004)
She’s A Beauty (live) / Talk To Ya Later (live) / Don’t Touch Me There / Tip of My Tongue (live) / Digi-Doll / Loveline / White Punks On Dope / Brighter Day / Mondo Bondage / Stand Up And Shout / Whiz Quiz / What Do You Want From Life? Released on compact disc on March 9, 2004 in the US (Sanctuary, 86355).
THE BEST OF THE EMI YEARS (2005)
Tube Talk / Don’t Want To Wait Anymore / Think About Me / When You’re Ready To Come / Talk To Ya Later / She’s A Beauty / Outside Lookin’ Inside / Wild Women of Wongo / Out of the Business / No Not Again / Theme Park / The Monkey Time / Mr.Hate / Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman / Sushi Girl. Released on compact disc on February 21, 2005 in the UK (EMI, 537843).
WILD IN LONDON (2005)
Overture / She’s A Beauty / Don’t Touch Me There / Malaguena Salerosa / Russell Chaps / Tip of My Tongue / Don’t Want To Wait Anymore / TV Is King / No Way Out / Let There Be Drums / White Punks On Dope / Mondo Bondage / Haloes. Released on compact disc on June 20, 2005 in the UK (Snapper, SMACD-905). Re-issued on compact disc in 2006 in the UK (Snapper, SDPCD-210).
MONDO BIRTHMARK (2010)
Hoy Boy / White Punks On Dope / Wonderbread Bodies / Mondo Bondage / More/Telstar / Artaud Poem / Mutated / Empty Shoes / TV / Crazy About Your Daisy / Dinosaur / The Whittler / Let’s Do It / Haloes / Poland Whole / Boogie For The People. Released on compact disc in 2010 in the UK (Floating World, FLOATM6042).
