Boy Crazy

from the LP The Tubes, A&M Records, 1975



Sometimes you just have to celebrate your inner slut…don’t deny it, we all posses that area of our brain, some just choose to stimulate it more than others. Most songs about hussies and shady ladies are fairly negative, condescending, and reek of backstage sexism, but this track rides a less-defined line. The story comes across more as a tip of the hat than an indictment, an ode to loose women by men who are clearly intimidated by the very idea; it’s still pointing a finger, but they give the slut props, “…there’s something missing, but you don’t know what; someone should tell ya, I’d rather not…he told ya God would get you someday, but you were too quick and ya moved on Monday…” The Tubes origins mainly spawn from Phoenix, AZ, but the band didn’t really get developed until moving to the Bay area in the early ‘70s. Without beating around the bush I will say flat out, any music created by the Tubes after 1977/1978 is complete and utter shit; those singles that were mildly popular in the ‘80s make me cringe---and I like most ‘80s music! That being said, the theatrical and parody-based songs they turned out in the mid ‘70s are successful & fulfilling attempts at lampooning our egoistic way of American living. They mainly built their reputation around an elaborate and radical stage show which involved a number of characters and settings (if curious, go to youtube.com and search “Tubes, White Punks on Dope”, it will give you some idea), highlighted by singer & former roadie Fee Waybill’s numerous comical impersonations; my favorite among those being the character of Quay Lewd, the sedative-inspired superhero which both mocked and celebrated everything the British glam rock movement stood for. For real, if you think you know fierce, this dude skulked around on stage in 18” platform boots (yes, that’s an entire foot and a half), a humongous blond wig, and ass-less silver spandex…work it bitch!! Amidst all the slapstick, one can’t help but notice the very tight musicianship, particularly the forceful drumming and bass playing; also of note, bandmember Vince Welnick is rocking the spooky keyboards here, later to play with the Grateful Dead. This song feels like the bastard child of Queen and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, all lips and hips and general moistness. I can never decide which line shocks/pleasures me more, “…petting heavy didn’t, didn’t bother you, your 8^th grade teacher showed you what to do…” or “…another waitress with an I.U.D., went to the clinic, you got it free…”…!