Yesterday, while coming back from the health food store, I was listening to the radio and the song White Punks on Dope was on. This song was on constant rotation back when I was a kid hanging out at the Aztec Lounge in New York City in the late 80s. I never actually listened to the words, which mainly are:

We’re white punks on dope
Mom & dad live in Hollywood
Hang myself when I get enough rope
Can’t clean up, though I know I should
White punks on dope
White punks on dope

When I was driving I thought – Weird, is this a Frank Zappa song? I didn’t know Frank Zappa did this song. It’s definitely a satire/social commentary about the times. So I looked it up and discovered, it’s actually the Tubes. And then I realized, I knew of the Tubes, but didn’t actually know their music. As far I knew, they fell into that category of new wave bands (sleeveless checkered t-shirts, tight jeans, skinny ties) that saw some excitement in the early 80s and were a tad too on the edge to get a lot of airplay.

Turns out they put out some ear worm songs – kinda cheesy, and, kinda good – holy crap – they were damn good musicians and performers.

According to the article, The Tubes: They came, they outraged, they conquered, which features an interview with lead vocalist John Waybill, AKA Quay Lude, the Tubes still perform, however, on weekends, when they have off from their day jobs.

But like a rock version of Clark Kent/Superman, when John Waybill finishes his working week, he turns into that other guy. “During business hours I help fix leaky toilets. At weekends I get away from it all by singing with The Tubes.”

Rock on, as best you can.