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.
Lycanthrope
Tad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want my mommy
Don't make fun of me or I'll start to cry
Yeah I'm a baby
A full-blown whiner
Don't you touch me unless you wanna die
yeah I smell horrible
Better give me water or I'll butt in your head
Don't you mind me
(????)
my teeth are grinding
I'm going straight to hell
I'm on a rampage
I've lost my mind
There's no emotion in my cold eye
I've got an itch
That can't be scratched
Adrenaline hunt
I'm on the warpath
turning my teeth
Under my nails
I'm not sure just where I have been
Give a a scent
That I can stalk
my teeth are grinding
I'm going straight to hell
The lyrics in Tad's song Lycanthrope describe someone who has transformed into a werewolf and is experiencing the violent, primal urges that come with the change. The singer immediately acknowledges their ugliness and immaturity, expressing a desire to be comforted by their mother. However, they also quickly become aggressive, warning others not to make fun of them or touch them unless they want to die.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the singer's animalistic instincts. They describe themselves as smelling horrible, being thirsty, and needing to scratch an itch that can't be satisfied. The references to their teeth and nails suggest a physical transformation, as the sharpness and need to grind their teeth are both common traits of werewolves. The lyrics also imply a loss of control, a lack of knowing where they have been or where they are going now.
Overall, the message of "Lycanthrope" is a warning about the dangers of unleashing one's primal instincts. The song suggests that giving into base desires can lead down a dark path, whether that be the physical transformation into a werewolf or a metaphorical loss of one's humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah I'm real ugly
I have low self-esteem and insecurity about my physical appearance
I want my mommy
I feel vulnerable and in need of comfort and support
Don't make fun of me or I'll start to cry
I am easily hurt by criticism or mockery
Yeah I'm a baby
I feel immature and inexperienced in dealing with the challenges of life
A full-blown whiner
I tend to complain and express dissatisfaction frequently and excessively
Don't you touch me unless you wanna die
I am quick to react with aggression or violence when I feel threatened or provoked
yeah I smell horrible
I am aware of my unpleasant scent and feel embarrassed by it
And I'm thirsty
I have a strong desire or need for something, possibly related to my animal nature as a lycanthrope
Better give me water or I'll butt in your head
I will become more aggressive and violent if my basic needs are not met
Don't you mind me
I am warning others to stay away or not interfere with me, possibly due to my unstable or dangerous state
(????)
This line is unclear or undefined, it may represent a moment of confusion or incoherence for the singer
my teeth are grinding
I am feeling intense stress or anger, which may manifest physically as teeth grinding
I'm going straight to hell
I feel doomed or destined for a negative outcome, such as punishment or damnation
I'm on a rampage
I am acting out aggressively and destructively, possibly due to my lycanthropic instincts or mental state
I've lost my mind
I am no longer in control of my thoughts or actions, possibly due to a supernatural or psychological influence
There's no emotion in my cold eye
I am displaying a lack of empathy or emotional connection, perhaps due to my lycanthropic or altered state
I've got an itch
I have a strong and persistent desire to do something, possibly related to my lycanthropic urges
That can't be scratched
I am unable to satisfy or fulfill this desire, which may lead to frustration or aggression
Adrenaline hunt
I am actively seeking out excitement or stimulation, perhaps driven by my animal instincts
I'm on the warpath
I am heading towards conflict or confrontation, perhaps with enemies or rivals
turning my teeth
I am sharpening and preparing my teeth for an attack or defense, demonstrating my animalistic nature
Under my nails
I am using my claws or weapons to fight or cause damage, demonstrating my physical strength and aggression
I'm not sure just where I have been
I have lost track of my movements or actions, perhaps due to a delirious or altered state of mind
Give a a scent
I am searching for a specific odor or smell to track or chase, possibly relating to my lycanthropic nature
That I can stalk
I am preparing to hunt or track down my prey, demonstrating my predatory instincts and skills
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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