Formerly known as the Ashtray Baby Heads, this maverick unit from Austin, Texas, USA, made its recording debut in 1983 with a self-titled EP (the name Butthole Surfers comes from an early song about beach transvestites). Gibby Haynes (Gibson Jerome Haynes, USA; vocals) Paul Leary Walthall aka Paul Sneef (guitar) and King Coffey (drums) were initially indebted to the punk/hardcore scene, as shown by the startling ‘The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey’s Grave’, but other selections were inspired by a variety of sources. Loping melodies, screaming guitar and heavy-metal riffs abound in a catalogue as zany as it is unclassifiable. Lyrically explicit, the band polarized opinion between those who appreciated their boisterous humour and those deeming them prurient. Having endured a succession of bass players, including Kramer from Shockabilly and Bongwater, the Butthole Surfers secured the permanent services of Jeff Pinker, alias Tooter, alias Pinkus, in 1986. Some of the Butthole Surfers’ strongest work appeared on Locust Abortion Technician (1987) and Hairway To Steven (1988), the former memorably including ‘Sweet Loaf’, a thinly disguised cover version of Black Sabbath’s ‘Sweet Leaf’. On the latter set, tracks were denoted by various simple drawings, including a defecating deer, rather than song titles. In 1991 the release of Digital Dump, a house project undertaken by Haynes and Pinkus under the Jack Officers epithet, was followed closely by the Butthole Surfers’ ninth album, Piouhgd, which showed that their ability to enrage, bewilder and excite remained as sure as ever. It was marked by a curiously reverential cover version of Donovan’s ‘Hurdy Gurdy Man’. The same year Pinkus also recorded the frenetic Cheatos as Daddy Longhead. This set was closely followed by Paul Leary’s excellent solo debut, The History Of Dogs. Shortly afterwards the Butthole Surfers announced their shock signing to Capitol Records. The label re-released Pioughd and sanctioned the hiring of former Led Zeppelin bass player John Paul Jones for the recording of the band’s major label debut. The disappointing Independent Worm Saloon featured the popular radio hit ‘Who Was In My Room Last Night?’. The delay to the follow-up Electriclarryland was as a result of objections received from the estate of Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II when the band wanted to call the album Oklahoma! In the late 90s Haines appeared alongside actor Johnny Depp in P before reuniting with Coffery and Leary to record 1998’s After The Astronaut. Despite promo copies being pressed and sent to reviewers, a dispute between the band and Capitol Records meant the album was ultimately shelved. The band subsequently signed a new recording contract with Hollywood Records and recruited new bass player Nathan Calhoun (Pinkus having departed some time in the mid-90s). Their first album for the label, Weird Revolution, was released in late 2001, but its disappointing commercial reception led to the abrupt termination of the Butthole Surfers’ contract. Haynes chose this moment to launch a new project, Gibby Haynes And His Problem, releasing a self-titled album on the Surfdog label in late 2004. Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze. |
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It is difficult to be indifferent about the Butthole Surfers; it’s a simple love or loathe. Tagged as the sickest band in the world, they thrive on their own antics, which include simulated sex, urinating and masturbation on stage. This tends to mask their musical ability and commercial potential.