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.
Grease Box
Tad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For yourself
Dig dig deep
For your soul
Dig dig deep
The dark abyss
Dig dig deep
Buried in your soul
What the hell does it mean?
You're looking at me?
What the hell does it mean?
Six dead horses chase you down
Fourteen guns in your hotel
Thirteen men run after you
Ten million babies your cat gave you
Like a little beast in a sparkle grove
Set right in, they don't have to know
At first glance, the lyrics to Tad's song Grease Box may come across as a bit confusing and nonsensical. However, upon closer examination, it appears that the lyrics are referring to the idea of searching within oneself for meaning and purpose. The repeated phrase "dig dig deep" serves as a call to action for the listener to delve into the deeper parts of their soul and discover what lies within. The image of a "dark abyss" buried within one's soul suggests that there may be some unpleasant or difficult truths to confront, but the overall message seems to be that it is worth the effort to dig deep and uncover those truths.
The second part of the lyrics takes a decidedly more surreal turn, with images of dead horses, guns, and babies being thrown into the mix. It is unclear exactly what these images are meant to represent, but they may serve as further examples of the strange and unsettling things that one may encounter when delving deep into their own psyche. The final line, "like a little beast in a sparkle grove, set right in, they don't have to know," suggests that there may be some element of secrecy or shame involved in this introspective process, as one may not want others to know what they have discovered about themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig dig deep
Look inside yourself
For yourself
To find what truly matters to you
Dig dig deep
Search within yourself
For your soul
To connect with your inner self
Dig dig deep
Explore your thoughts and feelings
The dark abyss
The unknown depths of your being
Dig dig deep
Uncover hidden emotions and desires
Buried in your soul
Deeply hidden within yourself
What the hell does it mean?
Asking for clarification
You're looking at me?
Surprised and confused by the situation
What the hell does it mean?
Repeated request for clarification
Six dead horses chase you down
Feeling pursued by past failures or mistakes
Fourteen guns in your hotel
Feeling surrounded by danger or threats
Thirteen men run after you
Feeling pursued by others or societal pressures
Ten million babies your cat gave you
Overwhelmed by responsibilities or burdens
Like a little beast in a sparkle grove
Feeling out of place or misunderstood
Set right in, they don't have to know
Hiding one's true self to fit in with others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lesly demshaw
Dig dig deep for yourself
Dig dig deep for your soul
Dig dig deep dark black abyss
Dig dig deep for you-or soul
"What the hell's in me" he said. Don't look at me. What the hell's in me
Six dead horses chase you down
14 guns in your hometown
13 men run after you
10 million babies your dad gave you
(Not sure about that one)
Lock the Little beast in a small cold room
Sat writhing in pain all afternoon
Salt from his tears brings the blood to the surface as the dark hidden fears make their way to the surface.
This is how they felt when the kids start to steal.
Then one day they're stealing everything
Trees outside without bark on the wood like the callus on your heart someplace well stood
"What the hell's in me" he said. Don't look at me. What the hell's in me
PHILLY throwback RAP CHANNEL
How does this not have a million views!?! This song is so fucking good.. that bass line.. damn.
Worse Than Hitler pt. 2
Great video but the Words flashing on the screen take it down a few points
Henry Corporan
Como puede ser que esta band no tenga más seguidores. Esto es rock de los 90s en su máxima expresión
J SUTCLIFFE
TAD - Grease Box 2015pm 5.10.23 acme ov goodrup cling on...ie: those lasses think by having the fit hate they can control the word...
cory revels
I’ve been looking for this band my entire life. I’m 32. how have I not heard them before. Every song is great. They were barely mentioned in a documentary I was watching so I decided to look them up and gahhhtdamn I’m obsessed now.
Nick Carroll
Song is used pretty heavily in Brainscan that's where I first heard it.
I hate myself
@Nick Carrollloved that movie as a young teen. Cult classic shit.
Constantine
Never get tired of this song!! Grunge baby! At it's sludgiest!
DealerLicense
GEN X gonna party till our death! - Tech9ne
Odd-Track Numbers
Possibly the most underrated band of all time!