Pere Ubu

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About Pere Ubu

One of the American underground's most influential bands, Pere Ubu express the chaotic angst of their times with apocalyptic fervor and surprising humanity. Frontman David Thomas' absurdist warble and rapturously demented lyrics defined the group as much as their self-destructing melodies, scattershot rhythms, and industrial-strength dissonance, all of which appeared on their 1975 debut single, "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," and 1978's debut album, The Modern Dance. On later efforts like 1989's Cloudland and 1993's Story of My Life, Pere Ubu became more accessible, but their idiosyncratic vision remained undiluted by frequent hiatuses and lineup changes. The band welcomed the 21st century with uncompromising albums like 2002's St. Arkansas, and their momentum continued into the 2010s and 2020s with works like 2013's Lady from Shanghai and 2023's Trouble on Big Beat Street reflecting a literate, volatile sound and viewpoint that was unmistakably Pere Ubu.

ORIGIN
Cleveland, OH, United States
FORMED
August 1975
GENRE
Alternative

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