80s Rockers The Tubes
NEWTON — 80s rockers The Tubes will perform at the Newton Theatre on Saturday, July 12 at 8 p.m.
The Tubes performance-art concepts ranged from titillating, tongue’n’cheek pornography to straight-laced, black tie all-American conservatism, all of which frequently clouded the fact that they were, like Frank Zappa, technically gifted musicians in their own right.
As the band progressed into the 1980’s they shed the controversial theatrical spectacle in favor of a more stripped down live setting that showed them in a more musical light, that ultimately brought them long overdue commercial success in America.
The band was formed in 1972 when members from two separate bands converged, and recruited former roadie Fee Waybill on lead vocals. From 1972 to 1975 the band toured continuously before A&M Records signed them to a major recording contract. The band had a devoted cult following on the strength of their parodic songs and surreal live show extravaganzas which verged on uncensored burlesque that took in everything from rock, pop, heavy metal, country and disco.
The concerts featured the ever-versatile Waybill adopting a variety of larger-than-life personas including his most infamous character, the legendary Quay Lewd — an androgynous drug-inflicted British pop star sporting an outrageous Ziggy Stardust blonde wig and two foot high platform boots.
Their debut album "The Tubes" (1975), was critically acclaimed, and included the classic track "White Punks On Dope." By 1981 the Tubes signed to Capitol Records and released the David Foster produced "Completion Backwards Principle," an album based on an actual sales training instruction manual.
Both "Talk to Ya Later" and "Don't Want to Wait Anymore" finally earned them significant airplay on American radio, while the album became the Tubes' first Top 40 chart entry. Two years later, in 1983, due to a provocative video, the single "She's a Beauty" reached the Top Ten, and pushed the Tubes’ sixth studio album, "Outside/Inside" into the U.S. Top 20.
Tickets for The Tubes are $34 for premium seating, $29 for orchestra and $24 for balcony. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the box office at 973-383-3700.
The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, N.J.