The U-Men Explained

The U-Men
Background:group_or_band
Landscape:yes
Origin:Seattle, Washington, United States
Years Active:–
Current Members:John Bigley
Tom Price
Jim Tillman
Charlie Ryan
Past Members:Tom Hazelmyer
Robin Buchan
Tony Ransom

The U-Men were an American rock band, formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1980 and active until 1989. They toured extensively across the United States. Their musically "dirty" sound and off-the-wall sense of humor were a forerunner for the later grunge bands to come out of Seattle.[1]

History

The U-Men were fronted by vocalist John Bigley[2] and included Tom Price,[2] Charlie "Chaz" Ryan,[2] Robin Buchan,[2] Jim Tillman,[3] Tom Hazelmyer and later Tony "Tone Deaf" Ransom. Their alternative rock sound was credited by Allmusic for helping to inspire the Seattle grunge sound.

In 1983, The U-Men became the first band managed by renowned Seattle band manager Susan Silver.[4]

Butthole Surfers named the song "The O-Men", from the album Locust Abortion Technician, in their honor.[5]

Tom Price moved on to form Gas Huffer,[3] and also play in The Monkeywrench. Bigley and Ryan co-founded The Crows. Jim Tillman, who is recognized as the main line-up bass player having played on the first two full releases which included the self-titled EP, "The U-Men" (1984), "Stop Spinning" (1985), and the Deep Six compilation (1986) track "They", went on to play bass for other local bands, most notably Love Battery.[3] Mark Arm from Mudhoney noted on Sub Pop's anthology release announcement that the band was never the same after Tillman's departure.

Tom Hazelmyer briefly played with the band[6] but left to remain in his hometown of Minneapolis (performing live just once with the band when they opened for Big Black at the Showbox Theater in March 1987) to promote his record company (Amphetamine Reptile Records) and band, Halo of Flies.

Band members

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

Compilation albums

Compilation and soundtrack contributions

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gray. Julia. Hear Grunge Forebears The U-Men's Previously Unreleased "Trouble Under Water". Stereogum. October 26, 2017. February 4, 2020.
  2. Web site: Segal. Dave. Sub Pop Is Releasing the Entire U-Men Catalog. The Stranger. October 26, 2017. February 4, 2020.
  3. Web site: Ham. Robert. U-Men. Pitchfork. November 11, 2017. February 4, 2020.
  4. Web site: Susan Silver steers careers toward rock stardom . April 27, 1997 . December 30, 2018 . Chicago Sun-Times . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20041125052641/http://www.jaehakim.com/articles/music/backbeat/bb_silver.htm . November 25, 2004.
  5. Web site: U-Men Biography & History AllMusic. Howell. Stephen. AllMusic. 2017-05-06.
  6. Book: Yarm, Mark. Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge. Crown Archetype. 2011. 978-0307464439. 136–137.
  7. Web site: Sub Pop Will Release The Comprehensive Anthology From Legendary Seattle Band The U-Men on Nov. 3rd. Now hear "Dig It a Hole". Sub Pop. Records. Subpop.com. 9 December 2017.

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