DVD REVIEW: THE TUBES – The Musikladen Concert 1981

DVD REVIEW: THE TUBES – The Musikladen Concert 1981
MVD
July 2016
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
7/10

The Tubes were always unique – half theatrical punk rock, half new wave hit makers, they hit their commercial peak in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. This ninety minute live set from Germany shows them at their new wavey best: and with a variety of props that indicate a touring budget far in excess of what the average band would manage nowadays.

The band – by this stage closest musically to, perhaps, The Cars – are tight (if a little 1981-dated) and seem comfortable with their roles mostly backing eccentric and exuberant frontman Fee Waybill.

Waybill plays the hyperactive frontman, directly descended from Alex Harvey, Peter Gabriel and the like, delivering a few singles and chatting amiably before launching into the “production numbers,” as he describes them.

With three attractive female backing vocalists, costumes ranging from leather bondage trousers and studded underpants to business suits, PI trenchcoat, an octopus costume, a press conference lectern and more, it’s a feisty, theatrical show that whilst – again – is a bit dated, is fun and features some cool tracks in Talk To Ya Later, Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman, Mondo Bondage, Sushi Girl and closer Let’s Make Some Noise.

Category: Movie & Theatre Reviews