Along with bands like Limp Richerds and Mr. Epp & the Calculations, U-Men were one of the first bands to inspire and develop what would become the Seattle grunge scene.
During their 8-year career, the U-Men toured various regions of the United States, changed 4 bass players and even a band on the shop floor recorded a soundtrack in their honor - "Butthole Surfer" (from the album "Locust Abortion Technician").
How did it all start for the U-Men?
It was early 1981 in Seattle when guitarist Tom Price and drummer friend Charlie Ryan (aka Chaz) decided to form an original hard rock band. They brought in vocalist John Bigley and bassist Robin Buchan to complete the lineup. After some time, Buchan got tired of the group and the ruin, he moved to England.
Over the next few years, the U-Men played several successful gigs with new bass player Jim Tillman. Finally, with him, the guys recorded their self-titled debut EP of four songs for the Seattle studio.
This was followed by an appearance on the "Deep Six" compilation, along with well-known rock bands at that time. The band also signed a deal with Homestead Record, which released the EP Green River: Come on Down. In the same year, the studio released the second EP for the group, Stop Spinning. The composition quickly gained listeners, and the popularity of the group increased.
After the release of the single "U-Men: Solid Action" and frequent tours of America, Tillman felt that the band was not making enough money from their performances and recordings and left.
Movement of participants between groups
The band's roadie, David E. Duo, once asked Price and Ryan if they were interested in playing with his new band Cat Butt. Price joined the band as bassist, while Ryan took over on drums.
By the end of the summer of 1987, however, Price and Ryan hired Amphetamine Reptile Records founder Tom Hazelmyer to play bass for the U-Men. But Price and Ryan later left Cat Butt to get back their constant U-Men attention again.
This new line-up immediately began recording material. The content will then be featured on their first official full-length release. The record was released under the title "Step on a Bug, the Red Toad Speaks". The album sold out in indie stores in 1988. It turned out to be the only full-length release in the band's entire career. According to unofficial data, the band received $6.000 for it.
In the middle of the year, Hazelmyer was replaced by Tony Ransom (also known as Tone Deaf) due to the duties of the one with Amphetamine Reptile. However, this decision ended the story for the U-Men.
The life of the U-Men members after the breakup
After losing his income and ruining the band, Price worked in the Seattle grunge scene. There, together with colleague Tim Hayes, he formed his stage band Kings of Rock. After this band broke up, Price joined the guys from Gas Huffer and Monkeywrench.
Bigley and Ryan also left the group, moving on to the Crows, who were then recording a new album. Ryan leaves the band in 1994. After he joins a newfangled group in which some of his friends worked.
The group lasted until 1989. During this time, they managed to travel almost all of America. It is this group that is considered the progenitor of the musical genre “grunge”, in which the music is played “dirty”, lowering or overestimating the notes, often not getting into them.
Whatever it was, the group broke up. And now we can only enjoy one full album "Step on a Bug, the Red Toad Speaks", and two mini-albums - "U-Men", "Stop Spinning".
