Tales of Terror (band)
| Tales of Terror | |
|---|---|
 Tales of Terror performing in 1985, from left to right: Pat Stratford, Steve Hunt, Mike Hunter and Geoff Magner. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hardcore punk |
| Years active | 1982–1986 |
| Labels | CD Presents |
| Associated acts | Square Cools, Pirates of Venus, Cactus Liquors, Whorelords, Ding Dang, Hot Rod Shopping Cart, The Poontones |
| Past members |
Pat Stratford Lyon Wong Steve Hunt Geoff Magner Mike Hunter |
Tales of Terror was a Sacramento hardcore punk band which was active from 1982 until 1986. Some, including Kurt Cobain and Mark Arm, cite Tales of Terror as a key inspiration for the then-burgeoning grunge scene.[1]
History
Tales of Terror was formed in 1982 by singer Pat Stratford and bassit Geoff Magner, formerly of the punk band Square Cools. They were later joined by guitarist Lyon Wong and drummer Mike Hunter[1]
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"Chambers of Horror"
 Sample of "Chambers of Horror". |
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By 1984 they were playing all over town and supporting big name punk acts like The Vandals, Dead Kennedys, and Fang.[1]
Their one album, the self-titled effort Tales of Terror, was released in 1984 on the San Francisco indie label, CD Presents. Distribution was limited; it is estimated that less than 5000 copies were pressed[2]
However, the band's career came to an end on the night of January 5, 1986. Wong, the son of Chinese-American actor Victor Wong, died on a Midtown sidewalk of head trauma he suffered after being knocked to the curb during a late-night altercation. He was pronounced dead at 2:14 am, January 6, at Sutter General Hospital. Wong was 22 years old. The assailant received a 6-month sentence for manslaughter.[3] The band opted not to continue without Lyon Wong. The various members drifted into other groups, most notably the Pirates of Venus, the Cactus Liquors and the Whorelords.
Legacy
Described by Midtown Monthly as "One of the most influential bands Sacramento ever produced" and often cited as the foundation of the grunge movement, their blend of hardcore, psychedelia, and rock had a lasting impact on music fans around the country, including Green River and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.[1] In Exclaim! magazine Mudhoney’s Mark Arm (whose earlier band Green River covered Tales' "Ozzy" on their 1987 Dry As a Bone EP) listed some of their gigs as the most inspirational he had seen.[4] Dave Chavez of Verbal Abuse said, "With the right management and maybe a little bit of rehab here and there, Tales of Terror probably would have been the Nirvana and broke. If it wasn’t for the murder of Lyon Wong."[5]
Members
- Pat Stratford - vocals (1982 - 1986)
- Lyon Wong - guitar (1982 - 1986; died 1986)
- Steve Hunt - guitar (1982 - 1986)
- Geoff Magner - bass (1982 - 1986)
- Mike Hunter - drums (1982 - 1986)
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Tales of Terror
|
Compilation appearances
| Year | Song | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 |
"Gods from Outer Space" (instrumental) |
Thrasher Skate Rock Vol. 2 - Blazing Wheels and Barking Trucks | High Speed Productions |
|
"Skate or Bate" |
Rat Music For Rat People Vol. 2 | CD Presents | |
| 1985 |
"Texas Against the World" |
Them Boners Be Poppin' | Boner Records |
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Gustafson, Guphy (2010-01-01). "Tales of Terror: Bad Dream or Acid Trip?". Midtown Monthly. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ↑ Griffith, Jackson (2006-07-06). "Secret history of Sacramento music". Newsreview.com. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ↑ "Man, 22, Dies of Head Injury From Clash". Sacramento Bee. January 6, 1986. p. B12. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ↑ Khanna, Vish (July 2008). "Mudhoney's Mark Arm". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ↑ Boulware, Jack; Tudor, Silke (29 Sep 2009). Gimme Something Better: The Profound, Progressive, and Occasionally Pointless History of Bay Area Punk from Dead Kennedys to Green Day. 1. Penguin. ISBN 0143113801. Retrieved 2012-04-18.