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THE TUBES AT SOUTH PARADE PIER NEXT MONDAY (28th Nov.) After The Tubes stunnig 2004 performance during thier "Wild West Show" tour, San Francisco's finest satirical rock band are back at South Parade Pier on Monday, as part of their "Cabinet O' Curiousities" tour. This is only the second time the band have appeared in the Portsmouth area, after the infamous incident when one of the band's first U.K concerts in Portsmouth in 1978 was banned. Due to be held on Rembrance Day, Portsmouth council - totally misreading the tongue in cheek theatrical aspect of the shows - bowed to pressure from the British Legion, and cancelled the gig scheduled at Portsmouth Guildhall. The Tubes went on to sell out an amazing five-night engagement at London's Hammersmith Odeon, where the stunning live concert album, 'What Do You Want From Live' was recorded. The Tubes took popular culture by the scruff of the neck and made it into entertainment, becoming one of the most exciting, in-your-face tight-knit group of musicians of all time. Their live shows involved mock bondage rituals, simulated sex, 12-foot high rock stars, exploding televisions, chainsaws and an array of semi-clad dancers. Some say they were about 15 years ahead of Madonna, and light years ahead of the politically correct. Their outrageous performance-art concepts frequently clouded the fact that they were technically gifted musicians in their own right. As the band progressed into the 1980's they shed the controversial theatrical spectacle in favour for a more stripped down live setting that showed them in a more musical light, that ultimately brought them long overdue commercial success in America. Originally formed in Phoenix, Arizona in the late '60s, guitarist Bill Spooner and bassist Rick Anderson relocated to the post- psychedelic haze of San Francisco in 1972 and recruited guitarist Roger Steen, Prairie Prince (drums) and lead vocalist, Fee Waybill. Michael Cotten was later replaced by Gary Cambra on keyboards, and this is the line up on the current tour. In 1975, after securing a contract with A&M Records the band earned a devoted following, as The Tubes' surreal live show extravaganzas verged on uncensored burlesque taking in everything from rock, pop, heavy metal, country and disco. Word travelled fast, and soon the Tubes earned the reputation as the "must-see" rock'n'roll band of all time. The concerts featured the ever-versatile voclist anf frontman Fee Waybill adopting a variety of larger-than-life personas ranging from the crippled Nazi Dr. Strangekiss, country singer Hugh Heifer, and his most infamous character, the legendary Quay Lewd - an androgynous drug-inflicted British pop star sporting an outrageous Ziggy Stardust blonde wig and two foot high platform boots. Their debut album 'The Tubes' included the classic tracks 'White Punks On Dope', 'Mondo Bondage', and 'What Do You Want From Life', and the follow up 'Young And Rich' which featured the songs 'Don't Touch Me There' and 'Slipped My Disco'. By the time the band's third album, 'Now' was released, The Tubes met Portsmouth's most famous promoter, Rikki Farr, who was living in the USA. The former promoter of the Isle of Wight Festival, Farr was convinced the UK was ready for the Tubes, and shrewdly persuaded them to tour there and record a live album. It was ironic that Farr, despite persuading Bob Dylan to play the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1969, was unable to secure The Tubes a gig in his hometown, thanks to the council ban! In the early 1980's The Tubes signed to Capitol Records and released the 'Completion Backwards Principle' album, and became the Tubes' first Top 40 chart entry. Two years later, in 1983, due to a provocative video, the single 'She's a Beauty' reached the Top Ten, and pushed the Tubes' sixth studio album, 'Outside/Inside' into the U.S. Top 20. In 1985, the original Tubes line-up disbanded. Vince Welnick went on to join the Grateful Dead, while Fee Waybill went on to pursue a solo career and a career in acting. However, in 1992, due to the popularity of the album 'The Best of The Tubes', the band reunited; with new keyboard player Gary Cambra, and embarked on a European tour. Eleven years after the original line-up split, the reunited Tubes released what was to become their eighth studio album, 'Genius Of America'. Four years later, in 2000, the Tubes embarked on an extensive tour of America and Europe to support the release of their second official live album, 'Tubes World Tour 2001'. At their best, The Tubes have the uncanny ability to highlight the absurdity of everyday American life, occasionally shocking audiences along the way, stimulating the senses through their dynamic, controversial live spectacles - but always making them think twice... THE TUBES appear at South Parade Pier on Monday 28th November - doors open 8 p.m. Tickets available at Wedgewood Rooms Box Office (0232) 9286 3911, Reflex Records, Albert Rd., Southsea, and South Parade Pier general office. Also on sale on the door subject to availability.