David Thomas

[hollywood]

[No, not the Wendy's guy.]

[No, not the Blood Sweat & Tears guy.]

https://variety.com/2025/music/obituaries-people-news/david-thomas-dead-pere-ubu-band-founder-1236376869/#recipient_hashed=5cb983ad3394200104c8abf77ea5e0fe427131f0a078f1c4f56b801ccd436140&recipient_salt=ff2d863fc6e42ad7173ea43adcff922a5209bfc0aed852339894bca55c3531d1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=newsalert&utm_content=602239_04-24-2025&utm_term=297989?utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=1745482128-Breaking+News+Alert&utm_content=602239_4-24-2025&utm_id=602239

Edited April 24 by hollywood

[MitchW]

I probably saw Pere Ubu 3 or 4 (or 5?) times over the course of the (and my) band's life.  To say they were unique would be selling them short.  Almost indescribable, actually. At one show, David was playing some sort of "instrument" that looked aS if he had made it in his barn.

Interestingly, the last time I saw them was not that long ago, and was the next to penultimate show they ever played.  Less than 2 years ago - June 19, 2023, here at Le Poisson Rouge.  It stood out not just because of how great they were, but also because they were joined by the late, great MC 5 guitarist Wayne Kramer (both here in NY and at the show in LA). And they covered an MC 5 song - Kick Out the Jams.  Wayne passed in February, the following year. 

 

 

 

[Wilfrid]

That's sad. I was talking about him with a musician/bartender a couple of nights ago.

I first saw Pere Ubu at the (new) Marquee Club in London when they were still essentially the band that made Dub Housing.  Subsequent versions I saw (at Mercury Lounge, Warsaw and elsewhere) seemed more ad hoc combinations of Thomas and various musicians. I have a feeling I saw him solo once.

I am about to play "Kick Out the Jams" -- I did not expect that.

A major songwriter of great variety. Also a very funny man. From memory:

1. With the audience yelling for various songs at the Marquee. "Let me explain how this works. We play our set as planned, then we walk off, you all shout for more, we walk back on. Then it is request time. If you don't like that we will play one of our artistic numbers, then nobody will be happy."

2. Response to placing an order for merch on his website. "What we are good at is writing and recording music. What we are not good at is schlepping down to the post office. Please order from here only as a last resort."

Also known as Crocus Behemoth. Here's my favorite collab.

 

[MitchW]

57 minutes ago, Wilfrid said:

. With the audience yelling for various songs at the Marquee. "Let me explain how this works. We play our set as planned, then we walk off, you all shout for more, we walk back on. Then it is request time. If you don't like that we will play one of our artistic numbers, then nobody will be happy."

I sort of remember him saying a similar thing at one of the shows I was at - maybe even at LPR?

From the Variety piece:

Quote

Thomas, who stood out in the 1970s when he began wearing a suit and tie on stage,

Is kinda absolute bullshit, no?

Elvis Costello was wearing a suit and tie, The Jam were wearing suits and ties, and I'm sure others were as well, back in the 1970s.

[Wilfrid]

I agree. He certainly stood out as a stage performer, not least because of his massive size, but a lot of bands went the suit and tie route in those days.

[backyardchef]

And I don't need a cure....

 

Edited April 24 by backyardchef

[Wilfrid]

Circa 1976, Dr Feelgood.

[backyardchef]

Tom Waits, 1974