Tuxedomoon - History

History

In 1977, Tuxedomoon formed formed out of Angels of Light, an artist collective and commune, a group in which Steve Brown was involved. He met Blaine L. Reininger in an electronic music class at San Francisco City College. Brown worked with Tommy Tadlock, of the Angels of Light, to create the final project of the class. Tadlock would go on to be Tuxedomoon's manager. Reininger and Brown started playing music together at Tadlock's house. Reininger played electronic violin and guitar. Tadlock assisted with the sound and audio. He also created tools for the band, including a "Treatment Mountain," which was a pyramid made of plywood which held all of Reininger's effects pedals.

They started playing music together in the mid-1970s, when punk rock became popular in the underground music scene. "The only rule was the tactic understanding that anything that sounded like anyone else was taboo," stated Brown on the band aiming the create music that sounded unlike anything else before. The vocals were screaming and inspired by punk rock, and the band used any instruments they had around, including saxophones and a polymoog synthesizer. The band had no drummer. During their early gigs audience members threw beer bottles at them. Bassist Peter Principle, performance artist Winston Tong and Bruce Geduldig, a filmmaker, joined the band during concerts. The band created new performances for each concert, creating theatrical performances and being described as "theatrical electronic cabaret." The band performed frequently with Pere Ubu, The Residents, Devoas, and Cabaret Voltaire.

In 1979 they released the EP No Tears, with the single "No Tears." The single is described as "one of the best electro-punk hymns of all times." That year they also signed to Ralph Records. That label released their debut album, Half-Mute, in 1980.