Tones on Tail
Background information
OriginNorthampton, England
GenresPost-punk, gothic rock
Years active1982–1984, 2024
Labels4AD, Situation 2, Beggars Banquet Records
MembersDaniel Ash
Diva Dompe
Kevin Haskins
Past membersGlenn Campling

Tones on Tail was a British post-punk band formed in 1982, originally as a musical side project of Daniel Ash of the gothic rock group Bauhaus. Their music was described by one critic as "doom-and-dance-pop."[1]

History

While still a member of Bauhaus, Ash formed Tones on Tail early in 1982, originally as a duo with Glenn Campling, an art school friend and flatmate who had also been a roadie for Bauhaus. The band's name was a reference to the way calibration tones were recorded on the "tail" of reel-to-reel tape.

The pair issued their debut eponymous EP on 4AD in March 1982, followed by the single "There's Only One!", released by Beggars Banquet Records on 24 September. Ash sang and played guitar, Campling played bass, and both played percussion and keyboards.

After the break-up of Bauhaus in 1983, Ash and Campling were joined by Bauhaus's drummer Kevin Haskins and the band became a full-time concern for all three members. Their first release as a trio was the Burning Skies EP, issued by Situation Two on 6 May 1983.

Their sole studio album, Pop, was released by Beggars Banquet on 6 April 1984 in the UK; featuring the singles "Performance" (released 9 March) and "Lions" (released 11 May). The album was also issued in North America in altered form as The Album Pop. "Go!", the popular B-side of "Lions", was issued on its own as a single in Canada, licensed by Vertigo Records.

During October 1984, the group embarked on a short 12-date tour of the US; in concert, the band sported all white outfits.[2][3]

The final Tones on Tail single, "Christian Says", was issued on 9 November 1984.

The band disbanded in late 1984, and Ash and Haskins quickly formed Love and Rockets with former Bauhaus bassist David J.[4][5]

The 1998 compilation Everything! compiled every Tones on Tail track in remastered form, plus a radio interview with Ash and Haskins.

On 4 December 2023, Ash announced Tones on Tail will reunite at Cruel World Fest in 2024. Ash confirmed Campling will not be involved with the reunion and Diva Dompe would be filling in.[6]

Reception

Writing for AllMusic, critic Ned Raggett said: "With their former band's generally gloomier shadows left behind, what Ash and Haskins draw from their time with Bauhaus is that group's melange of styles—their most underappreciated strength".[7] Richard Williams of The Michigan Daily said "Tones on Tail carries on with the traditional Bauhaus taste for the macabre, but charts new courses of twisting the pop thing."[8] James Muretich of The Calgary Herald wrote "From the ashes of Bauhaus has arisen a British trio that is turning into one of the most impressive and macabre dance bands around."[9]

Discography

Studio albums
EPs
Singles
  • "There's Only One!" (1982, Beggars Banquet Records)
  • "Burning Skies" (1983, Situation 2) #11 UK Indie[10]
  • "Performance" (1984, Beggars Banquet Records)
  • "Lions" (1984, Beggars Banquet Records)
  • "Go!" (1984, Vertigo Records)
  • "Christian Says" (1984, Beggars Banquet Records)
Compilation albums
  • Tones on Tail (1985, Situation Two)
  • Night Music (1987, Beggars Banquet Records)
  • Tones on Tail (1990, RCA Records/Beggars Banquet Records)
  • Everything! (1998, Beggars Banquet Records)
  • Weird Pop (2011, Beggars Banquet Records)

References

  1. ↑ Gettelman, Parry (1 March 1991). "Daniel Ash". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, FL. p. 21. Retrieved 12 April 2011. There also are hints of Tones on Tail, his doom-and-dance-pop side project.
  2. ↑ "For Fans of Dark '80s Music, Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins' Poptone Is a Dream Project". Laweekly.com. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "Tones On Tail - 1984 - US tour". Bauhausgigguide.info. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  4. ↑ Molitor, Mike (14 January 1991). "Tones on Tail". The Michigan Daily. Ann Arbor, Michigan. p. 8. Retrieved 24 May 2015. Somewhere around 1982 things began to go wrong with (Bauhaus), and before one could say "gothic," or even "goth," guitarist Daniel Ash and drummer Kevin Haskins were out on their own with Tones on Tail. This new band lasted until 1985, when Bauhaus bassist David J came back into the fold and the group was "reunited" as the famed Love and Rockets.
  5. ↑ Steve Huey. "Tones on Tail". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  6. ↑ James Rettig. "Cruel World's 2024 Lineup Has Duran Duran & A Tones On Tail Reunion". Stereogum. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Ned Raggett. "Pop – Tones on Tail". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  8. ↑ Williams, Richard (21 October 1984). "Tones on Tail: a subtle reminder of British skill". The Michigan Daily. p. 5. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  9. ↑ Muretich, James (23 March 1985). "Tones on Tail: Twist/Go!". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  10. ↑ "Indie Hits "T"". 6 October 2008. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
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