Tones on Tail: The Eclectic Post-Punk Project
Tones on Tail was a British experimental group formed as a creative side-project by Bauhaus guitarist Daniel Ash. Operating from 1982 to 1984, the band carved a unique niche by blending post-punk and gothic rock with danceable rhythms and psychedelic pop, leaving behind a cult legacy that continues to influence alternative music.
Early career
Tones on Tail began in 1982 in Northampton, England, following the initial dissolution of the influential gothic rock band Bauhaus. Daniel Ash was joined by Bauhaus roadie and photographer Glenn Campling, with drummer Kevin Haskins (also of Bauhaus and later Love and Rockets) completing the lineup. Their first release was the self-titled 12" EP in 1982, which showcased their immediate departure from Bauhaus's darker sound towards a more eclectic, groove-oriented approach.
Breakthrough
The project's most significant recognition came with the 1984 single "Go!". The song's infectious, dance-friendly beat and catchy melody gained unexpected traction in US clubs, becoming an underground hit. This success led to the compilation of their various singles and EPs onto the 1984 album "Pop", released on the Beggars Banquet label, which collected their brief but potent output.
Key tracks
Go! - This single became the band's most recognizable track, a dance-punk anthem that found a lasting life in alternative clubs.
Lions - Featured on their debut EP, this track exemplifies their early, atmospheric blend of post-punk and psychedelia.
Christian Says - A driving, rhythmic song that highlights the band's ability to merge darkwave aesthetics with accessible pop structures.
There's Only One - This track from the "Burning Skies" EP showcases their more experimental, instrumental side.
Performance - A later recording that underscores the polished, studio-crafted sound they developed before dissolving.
After the release of "Pop", Tones on Tail disbanded, with Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins reuniting with Bauhaus bassist David J to form the successful alternative rock band Love and Rockets in 1985. The Tones on Tail catalog has been reissued multiple times, cementing its status as a cherished chapter in the post-punk and gothic rock story.
Fans of Tones on Tail's innovative blend of post-punk and dance might also appreciate the work of Bauhaus, the seminal gothic rock band from which the project sprang. The melodic alternative rock of Love and Rockets continues the members' musical evolution. For a similar British post-punk sensibility, explore The Cure, and for the era's dance-oriented darkwave, consider New Order.
The music of Tones on Tail remains a staple on alternative rock radio stations and online streams dedicated to post-punk and 80s alternative genres, where their unique sound continues to find new audiences.
Listeners can discover the eclectic discography of Tones on Tail through the radio stations featured on our website, exploring the creative detour these British musicians took between iconic bands.
