Years active 1980–1990 Active until 1990 | Labels Alternative Tentacles | |
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Associated acts The Dicks, Frightwig, Mudwimin, Polkacide Past members Lance Boyle
Gail Coulson
Jehu
Karl Konnerth
Marc
Daved Marsh
Patrick Marsh
Tim Carroll
Marianne Riddle Origin San Francisco, California, United States (1983) Genres Noise rock, Psychedelic rock Albums Chartreuse Toulouse, Locos por el Sexo, Judo for the Blind, Hot Man Pussy | ||
Tragic Mulatto was a critically acclaimed, short-lived punk rock, art band based in San Francisco. Performing under pseudonyms, the band's nucleus consisted of vocalist Flatula Lee Roth (Gail Coulson) and bass guitarist Reverend Elvister Shanksley (Lance Boyle). The band released their albums on Jello Biafra's label Alternative Tentacles, with Dead Kennedys' bassist Klaus Flouride acting as producing several of their early albums.
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Tragic Mulatto's music has been called "Butthole Surfers-esque", their label describing them as "[t]he dark and seedy underbelly of the average big city underbelly. A twilight zone for the already poorly adjusted." Coulson has also received praise for her vocal contributions, with her powerful delivery earning comparisons to Janis Joplin and Grace Slick.
History
Tragic Mulatto formed in 1980, initially consisting of Gail Coulson on saxophone, Lance Boyle on bass guitar, Karl Konnerth on trumpet, Daved Marsh on vocals and Patrick Marsh on drums. The quintet recorded two records for Alternative Tentacles, a eponymously titled 7" single in 1983 and the EP Judo for the Blind in 1984. Konnerth and Daved and Patrick Marsh left the band afterward to pursue other interests.
Coulson and Boyle became the core creative force behind the group and took the stage names Flatula Lee Roth and Reverend Elvister Shanksley respectively. The duo recruited guitarist Tim Carroll (Richard Skidmark) and recorded the album Locos por el Sexo in 1986. Representing a change in musical direction for the band, the album featured more tightly structured music that emphasized melody was less satirical and more serious. Spin described them as sounding like a cross between Frightwig and Jefferson Airplane.
The band changed guitarists and expanded their line-up to include dual percussionists for their second album titled Hot Man Pussy. The album included a cover of "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin and exhibited further musical maturity by the band. Their final release, Chartreuse Toulouse, incorporated psychedelic and Middle Eastern influences. Tragic Mulatto disbanded after they had released their third album, with its members pursuing separate projects.
Live performances
The band was infamous for their deliberately perverse live performances, which usually consisted of its members performing lewd acts onstage. Lead vocalist Coulson was known to perform mostly naked, while adorning duct tape and clothespins on her breasts. Boyle usually wore a stocking over his face and used a Pink Panther puppet to cover his genitals.
Songs
She's a Ho1989
Fist of the Fleet1989
Rise Up/Get Down1990