Tune Tag #111 with David Fore of Bubble Puppy: Pink Floyd, The Shirts, Queen, GoodBye Lenin, Tall Dwarfs, Incubus

📻David & Brad: Two Texans Tune Tag tussle! Bubble Puppy's 1969 hit broke out of Houston's Top 40 KILT-AM Radio....which Brad heard on heavy rotation, at age 14!🎵Taggin' Tunes, now, 56 years later!🤯

A Bubble Puppy…rehearsing.

Tune Tag proudly welcomes its first Top 15 recording artist, drummer

David Fore

of

Bubble Puppy Bites

on Substack, where he “dishes dirt and love on his crazy ride with ‘The Bubble Puppy’!”

Life-long drummer for Bubble Puppy, D-Day, The EggMen and more, David laid out his bio for Psychedelicbabymag.com in 2017: “Born in 1950, San Antonio. My dad was a drummer in big bands in the 1940’s and ‘50’s. I never saw him play, as he quit when he married my mom. But I saw newspaper clips of his band, ‘Records Ramblers,’ and every night he played drums with his hands on the arms of his chair in the living room. I do the same thing. We had tons of 78rpm records, like all families in the ‘50’s.” DavidFore.com

“My sixth grade teacher asked me one day, ‘David, are you a drummer?’ because I was beating on my desk with my pencils. He could have scolded me, but for some reason he posed it as a serious question. I thought about it for a second, and said ‘yes.’ I took drum lessons that summer and have been playing ever since!

“As for my first instruments, I used to lug home the marching snare drum and bass drum from my junior high band hall! My mom finally bought me a set of 1963 Psychedelic Swirl Slingerlands.”

Bubble Puppy slummin’ at the manse, with David, standing, center. “For me, the highlight of my career with Bubble Puppy was our gig at the Kinetic Playground in Chicago in 1969. ‘Hot Smoke’ was #1 on WLS in Chicago for 3 weeks. Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake & Palmer was in a band called The Nice, and they opened for us. The crowd went crazy for us, and I got a standing ovation for my drum solo!”

David’s song #1 sent to Brad: The Shirts, “Teenage Crutch,” 1978

Live, on UK’s Old Grey Whistle Test, 1978:

David’s rationale: They should have been stars. Their manager [Hilly Kristal] ran CBGB’s. He had all the music industry connections in the world. The Shirts were one-hit wonders like Bubble Puppy.

📸Ebet Roberts/Redferns: Annie Golden of The Shirts and CBGB's owner Hilly Kristal at CBGB's in New York City on December 20, 1993.

Annie Golden’s vocals are just fantastic. She brings this unique, expressive quality to the song—it feels so genuine and full of energy, perfectly capturing all those emotional ups and downs of being a teenager. Her voice just adds this authentic, vulnerable touch that fits the vibe.

Brad’s response: From about 1976 through the early-’80s, record companies were rolling the new wave/punk dice, each feverishly trying to out-sign the other, hoping to be the one to sign the “next big thing” in this new, suddenly-breaking genre.

Capitol Records had two high-profile (and heavily promoted) new wave guy bands, each led by a singular, idiosyncratic and original lady: The Shirts with Annie Golden, and The Motels, led by Martha Davis. Warner Bros. Records turned down an early demo The Motels submitted, and Capitol swooped in to offer them a deal. They turned it down and promptly disbanded, citing musical differences among the members, while their career was resurrected shortly thereafter….with Capitol.

According to Steven Lee from his The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB: a Secret History of Jewish Punk, “The Shirts auditioned for CBGB owner Hilly Kristal, which resulted in the band being hired, first to open for other bands, including Television and Talking Heads, then to play as the headliner band.

“As the band honed their skills and developed new songs, they played at other local venues such as Max’s Kansas City. Like many of the bands championed by Kristal, their sound was more pop and dance-oriented than the art bands that gained fame in association with CBGB.

“Although little interest was initially shown in [The Shirts] by American record labels, per This Must Be the Place: The Adventures of The Talking Heads in the Twentieth Century, “The Shirts were featured on a double compilation album featuring the major bands of the CBGB scene in the mid-’70s, Live at CBGBs: The Home of Underground Rock (Atlantic Records, 1976):

“However, Nick Mobbs of EMI signed the band to EMI’s Harvest (UK) label in the fall of 1977, and assigned Mike Thorne to produce their first album. Largely for corporate purposes, the band was signed by EMI in conjunction with its U.S. subsidiary label, Capitol Records, which had initially passed on signing the band. This formality would eventually have a significant impact on the band’s early history.”

Brad’s song #1 sent to David: GoodBye Lenin, “Teenage Crush,” 2010

Brad’s rationale: From “Crutch” to “Crush,” adolescent angst separated by 3 decades! I know nothing about GoodBye Lenin, and there’s precious little online!

David’s song #2: Tall Dwarfs, “Crush,” 1987

Alec Bathgate and Chris Knox of legendary New Zealand music duo, Tall Dwarfs. Used with permission.

Brad’s response: Well, that was different! But, I’m still not hearing a single! “Crush” seems to have shown up on a couple Tall Dwarfs (Dwarves?) releases, but, I’m taking my cue (for a 1984 release) from their Slugbuckethairybreathmonster 1984 EP appearance, but it’s also featured on the group’s 1987 compilation, Hello Cruel World. A couple of possible tag directions are hitting me right off the bat…actually, three!

Here they are…we’ll see, eventually, which one ended up as my actual choice: Martin Mull’s “Margie the Midget,” something from Gentle Giant, or “Hello Cruel World” by E (aka Mark Oliver Everett).

David’s rationale: As pioneers of the lo-fi movement, “Crush” embodies this aesthetic. It likely features a stripped-down production, with a raw, unpolished sound that emphasizes the directness of the instruments and vocals. This often means less studio polish, giving it a more intimate and DIY feel.

I love “Crush” by Tall Dwarfs because it’s got that raw, lo-fi charm that just feels so honest and unfiltered. The production isn’t polished, but that’s precisely what makes it special. The lyrics hit me in a vulnerable spot, talking about those complicated, sometimes painful feelings that come with having a crush.

Brad’s song #2: E, “Hello Cruel World,” 1992

Eels’ Mark Oliver Everett in Songwriting Magazine, Spring 2018.

Brad’s rationale: Tall Dwarfs and their 1987 comp, Hello Cruel World is identically-titled to the lead track on Mark Oliver Everett’s A Man Called (E) album (Polydor Records), 5 years later.

MacKenzie Wilson opines on Everett’s A Man Called (E) on AllMusic: “Prior to fronting the experimental indie rock band Eels, a man called E was making heavenly pop music on his own.

“This debut solo release contains typical quirky melodies and mind-boggling lyrics, but E hits upon lush harmonies similar to the likes of Elton John, The Beach Boys, and Paul McCartney. He is a perfectionist, playing most instruments (accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Parthenon Huxley (aka P. Hux) and bassist Jennifer Condos), and orchestrating all the material found on A Man Called E.

“He’s a love-sick puppy, a hopeless romantic, and a daydreamer. Such drama is captured in album highlights “Hello Cruel World,” “Are You and Me Gonna Happen?,” and “E’s Tune.” His lyrical poetry is his therapy, a common talent found in later Eels material. But, you have to appreciate E’s effort. He’s thoughtful and almost touching. He’s real. Now that’s pretty refreshing.”

In a 2013 interview with Vice.com, Everett recalled his early-’90s E era: “In my mind, when I signed my record deal to put out my E records [on Polydor Records], I told the head of the label that my plan was to evolve and change from year to year. He said he thought I was going to get the chance to do that with him, which I did for a year or two, and then at one point I changed the name and continued. It was more fun and interesting when it became Eels. It’s more of a changing prospect from year to year.”

🌟More to enjoy by The Man Called “E,” member of Eels, and overall bon vivant, Mark Oliver Everett: This first one, by myself, from 2 1/2 years ago, and, underneath, the one who inspired me to write it, FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE good friend,

Steve Goldberg

of Earworms and Song Loops!

Audio Autopsy, 1992: The Man Who Put the "E" in Eels: Mark Oliver Everett, "A Man Called E"

Eels - Not Ready Yet

David’s song #3: Pink Floyd, “Goodbye Cruel World,” 1979

Brad’s response: From the optimistic E and his “Hello Cruel World,” to Roger Waters’ more pessimistic “Goodbye Cruel World” from Pink Floyd and 1979’s The Wall.

David’s rationale: Both songs use the phrase “cruel world” in their titles. Still, from opposite perspectives—one is a greeting (“Hello Cruel World”), the other a farewell (“Goodbye Cruel World”). E’s song is about facing the harshness of life head-on, while Pink Floyd’s is about giving up or leaving that world behind. Lyrically, both songs deal with feelings of isolation, struggle, and the emotional weight of existence. However, each approaches it in its style and context.

What I like about “Goodbye Cruel World” is how simple and haunting it is. The song is so short, but it packs a huge emotional punch. There’s something about the way Roger Waters delivers the vocals that makes me feel the weight of isolation and sadness he’s expressing.

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Andy, of The Vinyl Room sez: “When I’m spinning my favorite record, nothing holds my tea like this beautiful Tune Tag mug! Happy spinning!” Yes, the official Tune Tag mug: It’s what the stylish stylus virtuoso wakes up to every morning! Available in a variety of accent colors, too! Get yours today! The Official FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE and Tune Tag Gift Shoppe is now open!

Brad’s song #3: The Joe Chemay Band, “Love is a Crazy Feeling,” 1981

Brad’s rationale: Pink Floyd’s The Wall featured many of L.A.’s first-call session singers: Longtime Beach Boys member, Bruce Johnston (composer of “I Write the Songs” and “Disney Girls”), The Captain and Tennille’s Toni Tennille, Jim Haas, Stan Farber, John Joyce, and Joe Chemay. Chemay (below) is also a bass player and songwriter.

Chemay’s extensive list of session credits includes recording with Elton John, Shania Twain, Bill Medley, Peter Cetera, Lionel Richie, Christopher Cross, The Beach Boys, Leon Russell, Michael Nesmith, and others.

In 1981, The Joe Chemay Band recorded The Riper The Finer (for Unicorn/MCA Records), and Joe brought in fellow veterans of the studio vocal wars, sisters Maxine and Julia Waters to provide back-up, and they are up in the mix on this one, a composition by former Elton John guitarist, Davey Johnstone, with Bias Boshell.

David’s song #4: Queen, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” 1979

Brad’s response: Joe Chemay and Freddie Mercury combine song titles to convince us (through the late 1979 release of the single in both UK and U.S.) that “Love is a Crazy Little Feeling Called Love”!

David’s rationale: Both songs use the words “crazy” and “love” in their titles, and both focus on the unpredictable, overwhelming, and sometimes wild nature of being in love. While the musical styles are different—Joe Chemay Band leans toward country rock, and Queen’s song is a rockabilly-inspired pop hit—the connection is in how each song describes love as something that can make you act a little wild or out of control.

I adore “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen. What I love most is how Freddie Mercury completely transforms into this rockabilly crooner; it’s such a departure from their usual sound, and he pulls it off with incredible swagger.

Brad’s song #4: Incubus, “Let’s Go Crazy,” 2009

YouTube, in their finite wisdom, had blocked the studio audio/video of the Incubus studio recording of “Let’s Go Crazy” from showing up on another site (namely, this one). This live performance from a 2009 Tonight Show appearance is infinitely more jaw-dropping, anyway! Should YouTube’s middle-school staffers deign to unplug this one, click here!

Brad’s rationale: More “crazy” from Incubus with a Prince cover!

======David Fore News!=======
I’m proud to announce my upcoming podcast, “Bubble Puppy Bites”! In this podcast, I'll share my journey with the sixties band The Bubble Puppy.

I’ll talk about dropping out of high school to join the band, playing our hit record, “Hot Smoke and Sasaffras” on American Bandstand, touring with Steppenwolf, Janis & more, then moving to California and changing our name to Demian. These short “bites” offer my unique take on our adventures!

”Bubble Puppy Bites” is out now!
Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

Bubble Puppy Bites

on Substack! Subscribe, and follow

David Fore

!