Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Here we go down memory lane...
Before Elizabeth McGrath became the lavishly attired, somber-voiced front woman of the goth country rockers Miss Derringer, Los Angeles first fell for her while she headed one of the best hardcore punk bands of the 90s and one of our favorite bands of all time, Tongue.
We first saw them at the Sunset Room after being lured by one of Ms. McGrath's now-famous flyers, which probably now would sell for top dollar on eBay. They were quintessential L.A. punk of the times -- a mix of thrash, proto and experimental with a lead singer that spit words as hard as the boys, but always ended each song with a kind of vulnerable and charming expression that showed her softer side (something she still does with Miss Derringer). Not to be too soft, she also ended each song with a swig of Colt 45. Shows with D.R.I., The Dickies, Raw Power, and At the Drive-In got them on the radar and soon some labels took notice but they stayed indie and released two great records Faulty Parts (1998) and Sweet Meat (2000). The band quietly called it quits shortly after the release of Sweet Meat with a show at Al's Bar.
Today, McGrath is one of the top mix media artists in the country and heads Miss Derringer with husband/guitarist Morgan Slade. If anyone knows what Ivan X, Rik, and Kevin are up to please let us know.
While looking for traces of Tongue on the Internet, we found that the old Tongue site is still up and running (their site meter reads 463 since 1998!) and there's a tribute page on MySpace. We also found our stash of Tongue records and goodness gracious "New School, Old School, Fuck School" is still a great song.
Tongue - "New School, Old School, Fuck School" (MP3)
Tongue - Live in Austin
Miss Derringer - "Better Run Away From Me"
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Rik Collins the bass player for Tongue is now in The Woolly Bandits
www.myspace.com/woollybandits
www.facebook.com/woollybandits
http://www.youtube.com/user/bandits69
www.myspace.com/woollybandits
www.facebook.com/woollybandits
http://www.youtube.com/user/bandits69
Ivan X is living in Altadena, CA and playing around with a neighbor bassist. He actually needs work. He can be reached at dr.ivanx@gmail.com. Tell him Adry sent you.
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