Led by Tad Doyle on vocals and guitar, Tad was formed in early 1988 by Doyle and bassist Kurt Danielson, who met while at a Christian Banquet. They previously played together when Danielson's band Bundle of Hiss played with Doyle's previous band (in which he played drums) H-Hour. Doyle had also earlier played in a Gang of Four cover band called Red Set. They recruited drummer Steve Wied (formerly of Skin Yard and Death and Taxes) and guitarist Gary Thorstensen (ex-Treeclimbers) to complete the original lineup.
Tad was among the first bands to be signed to Sub Pop Records and was possibly the first pioneer of what was to be later called grunge rock. In 1987, Doyle had released the "Daisy/Ritual Device" single on Sub Pop, produced by seminal Seattle producer Jack Endino, for which Doyle wrote and performed all music. Tad's debut album God's Balls appeared in early 1989 and was also produced by Endino. In March 1990 the band released the Salt Lick EP, recorded by Steve Albini. The single "Wood Goblins" was released in the same year, but was apparently banned by MTV. After a European tour with Nirvana, Tad returned to Seattle and recorded their second album 8-Way Santa (1991), named after a type of blotter acid. Produced by famed 90's grunge and alternative producer Butch Vig (better known for Nirvana's Nevermind, Smashing Pumpkins's Siamese Dream and as drummer for the band Garbage, the album was far more pop-oriented than its predecessors, featuring such songs as "Jinx," "Stumblin' Man" and "Jack Pepsi." "Jack Pepsi" was released as a single, but Pepsi filed a lawsuit against the band due to the cover art on the single, which was the Pepsi logo with "Tad" in place of "PEPSI." Another lawsuit was filed due to the cover of 8-Way Santa (which was a found picture of a man fondling a woman's breast). The couple in the photograph, one of whom had since become a born-again Christian and remarried, took exception and sued. Sub Pop changed the album cover to a group shot.
After a very brief acting stint in Singles, Tad was offered its first major-label opportunity by Giant Records. However, Steve Wied had left, joining Willard, and later Foil. Rey Washam (formerly of Scratch Acid) briefly filled on drums in 1991 but was later replaced by Josh Sinder, previously of the Accused. Sinder debuted with Tad on their last Sub-Pop release, the "Salem/Leper" single (which featured "Mud-Man," Josh's apparently mumps-afflicted brother, on the cover). Their major label debut Inhaler, appeared later in the year to positive reviews. The record failed to break the band however, even though they were chosen to open for Soundgarden on their 1994 Superunknown tour. Giant Records quickly got cold feet and dropped the band when a poster promoting Inhaler surfaced featuring Bill Clinton smoking a joint with the caption reading "It's heavy shit".
In 1994, the band released Live Alien Broadcasts on Futurist Records, which was a best-of live studio recording. Thorstensen left but they secured a second major-label deal with EastWest/Elektra Records in 1995 releasing their fifth album Infrared Riding Hood. Tad were dropped again in 1996 when the album received disappointing sales. They continued to gig for the remainder of the year before Sinder left to form the Hot Rod Lunatics. He was replaced on drums by Mike Mongrain of Foil. Tad's final single "Oppenheimer's Pretty Nightmare/Accident on the Way to Church" appeared in 1998 on Up Records. A year later the band dissolved.
Following Tad's breakup, Doyle formed Hog Molly in 2001 with Willard bassist Ty Garcia, and 50 paces guitarist Martin Chandler, releasing the album Kung-Fu Cocktail Grip late the same year. He later formed the band Hoof. Tad's current (2008) band Brothers of the Sonic Cloth has been playing in Seattle night clubs. Kurt Danielson went on to join Valis, a project which included members of Screaming Trees and Mudhoney. Then he formed The Quaranteens, a post-punk/new-wave band with Craig Paul, before moving to France. He is back in Seattle since 2008, and has started to write a novel. Josh Sinder has gone on to play drums in The Insurgence and also plays with Marky Felchtone from Zeke in new band Hellbound For Glory.
A documentary of the band titled Busted Circuits and Ringing Ears was released in February 2008. In July 2009 taddoyle.com announced plans by Brothers of the Sonic Cloth to release a split 10" vinyl record with Seattle-area sludge metal band, Mico de Noche. The Brothers of the Sonic Cloth/Mico de Noche split 10" vinyl record was released in October 2009 as an edition of 500 copies and featured two songs by Mico de Noche and one song by Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, "Fires Burn Dim in the Shadows of the Mountain". The record received several positive reviews and appeared on multiple "Best of 2009" lists.
Candi
Tad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I re-learn
so come and touch in me
and I re-learn
set me free!
let me be
set me free!
set me free!
(on your lips, under you from, looking for me and what I become)
Can be go now? good from me
behind still live
and I won't lose in the sea
and I re-learn
set me free!
let me be
set me free!
(on your lips, under you from, looking for me and what I become)
set me free!
(on your lips, under you from, looking for me and what I become)
The song "Candi" by Tad is a haunting and enigmatic piece that speaks about a person called Candi and the singer's desire to be free. The opening line, "Candi, why don't you live in the hole?" is one of the most intriguing parts of the song. It's unclear what the hole is, but it could be a metaphor for a state of being or life that Candi has rejected. The singer wants to understand why Candi has made this choice and why she isn't with them in their current state.
The chorus of "set me free! let me be set me free!" speaks to the singer's desire to break free from their current situation and become something more. The repetition of the line, "on your lips, under you from, looking for me and what I become" is similarly cryptic. It seems to suggest a search for identity or purpose, but the specifics are left to interpretation. Overall, the song is a poetic exploration of themes like identity, freedom, and human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Candi, why don't you live in the hole?
Tad is asking Candi why she doesn't choose to live in a darker or more hidden place.
and I re-learn
Tad has learned something previously and is reminded of it in this moment.
so come and touch in me
Tad is inviting someone to physically touch him and connect with him.
set me free!
Tad wants to be released from something that is holding him back or causing him pain.
let me be
Tad wants to be left alone or allowed to act as he chooses.
(on your lips, under you from, looking for me and what I become)
Tad is seeking validation and acceptance from someone specific.
Can be go now? good from me
Tad is ready to leave and thinks it's a good idea to do so.
behind still live
Even though Tad is moving forward, something from his past still lingers or continues to affect him.
and I won't lose in the sea
Tad won't be defeated or destroyed by difficult circumstances (sea representing challenges or obstacles).
Contributed by Makayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.