Anybody who was around at the time knows how fond of the Tar I am. They fit in with an aesthetic that has kinda died out, sadly. There were a few bands around that time making great use of simple patterns with subtle shifts that had a massive quality -- Tar, Helmet, Band of Susans, Bailter Space, Arcwelder... I'm probably forgetting a few. They were the straight rock kin of Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham, and I liked pretty much all of those bands.

Of those bands, Tar had the best bass lines, the best overall trudge and the best ride cymbal, and they made a couple of masterpieces. I'd put their singles and the Jackson album up against anything any of their contemporaries did.

Salut! Tar! You were a real good band!

Don't forget the band that became Tar, I assume it would be appropriate to talk about them here:

I might as well chime in.

Tar - I liked your band a lot. I only saw you once. I think it was the middle east in cambridge. You were so good and loud that when I heard you were looking for a place to stay, i offered my couches. You stayed at my place in Allston.

You smoked a lot, you drank coffee in the morning, and you left me cool Tar matches. You were funny guys, telling me a joke about Steve Albini's mailbox.

I then went out and bought all your records.

I like them.

That's all I got.

Salut, TAR!

i prefer their cover of "nonalignment pact" over MoB's "heart of darkness."

H-GM wrote:I fucking know for a fact that I saw them at the Cabaret Metro with Shonen Knife and some other band. I also think during this performance they covered "Monitor" by Siouxsie and the Banshees...

Honcho Overload. The Internet doesn't lie.

Tar would've done a better version.

I've recently discovered Tar via Over and Out.

Amazing, amazing album. I definitely need to track down the rest of their catalogue.

Dr. Geek wrote:I've recently discovered Tar via Over and Out.

Amazing, amazing album. I definitely need to track down the rest of their catalogue.

Over and Out is a fantastic album. One of my favorites of all time.


Oh, and Barry White gets me every time.

After I first saw Arcwelder back in 94 or so, I was bummed that they didn't tour regularly. I emailed the drummer and he was nothing but ace in terms of response and willingness to yack about rock. My post wanting to be successful phase of my life is modeled after folks who make music I/they enjoy, i.e. none who do it for a living usually. Salut. The folks who manage a living, I salut as well. I'm jealous.

I just got their first five LPs for €50.

Sexy.

Tar was definitely a missed band at the T&G fest a few years back. Would have been nice to see them.
Also if anyone wants to hear some Zaluckyj bass playing, post Tar, pick up Fred Schneider's Just Fred album.