Hubbry Logo
Bush TetrasBush TetrasMain
Open search
Bush Tetras
Community hub
Bush Tetras
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Bush Tetras
Bush Tetras
Bush Tetras
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Bush Tetras are an American post-punk No Wave band from New York City, formed in 1979. They are best known for the 1980 song "Too Many Creeps", which exemplified the band's sound of "jagged rhythms, slicing guitars, and sniping vocals".[1] Although they did not achieve mainstream success, the Bush Tetras were influential and popular in the Manhattan club scene and college radio in the early 1980s.[1] New York's post-punk revival of the 2000s was accompanied by a resurgence of interest in the genre, with the Tetras' influence heard in many of that scene's bands.[2]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Formation, name, and early years

[edit]

The Bush Tetras formed in 1979, and soon solidified with a lineup of Cynthia Sley (vocals), Pat Place (guitar), Laura Kennedy (bass) and Dee Pop (drums); vocalist Adele Bertei and guitarist Jimmy Joe Uliana were brief early members.[3] Place had previously been the original guitarist and a founding member of the no wave band the Contortions, though the Tetras sound was less frantic and disjointed,[1] and she had also appeared in some of Vivienne Dick's movies.[4]

The band was named after a tiny African primate the band found very cute called "bush babies", and a kind of fish the band liked called a "neon tetra" (taking one word from each of those names).[5] The band thought the name sounded "tribal".[5]

The band's debut 7-inch EP, "Too Many Creeps", was released in 1980 on 99 Records.[1] It reached No. 57 on the Billboard club play chart.[6] The follow-up, "Things That Go Boom in the Night", was issued in 1981 by Fetish Records, hitting No. 43 on the UK Indie Chart. The Rituals 12-inch EP, produced by Topper Headon of the Clash and including the popular "Can't Be Funky", was released in 1981 by Fetish in the UK and by Stiff Records in the U.S. It reached No. 32 on the Billboard club chart.[1]

Two live tracks (a cover of John Lennon's "Cold Turkey" and "Punch Drunk") appeared on the 1981 Stiff Records compilation Start Swimming, documenting a one-night showcase of New York bands (also including the Bongos, the Raybeats and the dBs) at the Rainbow in London on February 20, 1981. Another live release, the cassette-only Wild Things (1983), was issued by ROIR.

Kennedy and Pop left in 1983, replaced briefly by bassist Bob Albertson and drummer Don Christensen, but the band soon broke up.[1] ROIR issued a posthumous cassette-only collection, Better Late Than Never (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983) in 1989.

In the 1984 Kiki Smith/Ellen Cooper film Cave Girls, Bush Tetras music plays over long passages of out of focus, foggy, visually noisy, action.[7]

Reunions

[edit]

The original line-up of Bush Tetras reformed in 1995[1] and released the album Beauty Lies in 1997.[1] Two other compilations were also issued, a CD version of Better Late Than Never retitled Boom in the Night (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983) in 1995, and Tetrafied: Previously Released Recordings in 1996.[1]

In 1997, Kennedy departed again and was replaced as bassist by Julia Murphy. In 1998, they recorded an album with producer Don Fleming for Mercury Records, titled Happy, but it was shelved when Mercury was sold (the album was finally released in 2012 by ROIR).[1]

In 2005, the band resumed performing in New York City, and toured Europe in summer 2006.

Original bassist Kennedy died on November 14, 2011, after a long battle with liver disease.[8][9]

Bush Tetras in 2013.

In February 2013, Cindy Rickmond (formerly of Cheap Perfume, Grayson Hugh, Church of Betty and Unknown Gender) briefly replaced Murphy as the band's bassist.[10]

In early 2016, Val Opielski (formerly of Krakatoa, Walking Hellos, PSXO and 1000 Yard Stare) joined the group on bass.[11]

In 2018, they released an EP, Take the Fall, on Wharf Cat Records.Then, in 2019, they released a 7-inch single, "There Is a Hum", on Thirdman Records.

Bush Tetras in 2021. Photo: Bob Krasner

Drummer Dee Pop died on October 9, 2021.[12] In November 2021, a career-spanning boxed set titled Rhythm and Paranoia: the Best of the Bush Tetras was released, along with a booklet with contributions by Topper Headon of The Clash and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth.[13] A performance at New York's Le Poisson Rouge accompanied the release, with "Too Many Creeps" producer Don Christensen replacing Dee Pop on drums, and new bassist RB Korbet playing with the band in front of a live audience for the first time.

In March 2022 the Bush Tetras performed at a Dee Pop memorial show at NYC's Bowery Electric. Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth filled in on drums.[14]

On April 5, 2023, it was announced the Cait O'Riordan had joined the band on bass.[15]

Other projects

[edit]

After the band's initial breakup, Sley joined up with Ivan Julian of Richard Hell and the Voidoids to form Lovelies. They put out one percussive post-punk album, Mad Orphan (109 Records), in 1988. In 2008, she formed Command V with Pat Irwin (of the Raybeats and the B-52s), and Rachel Dengiz. They released a self-titled album in 2012 on Mush Records.

Drummer Dee Pop also performed with improvisational jazz groups Radio I-Ching and Freedomland, and has performed or recorded with rock-oriented bands and artists including Floor Kiss, Immaculate Hearts, the Shams, Black Flies, John Sinclair, Jayne County, the Amazing Cherubs, Fur, Michael Karoli (Can), Richard Lloyd, James Chance, the Slits, Odetta, Gary Lucas, Bobby Radcliff, Patti Palladin, Darlene Love, Andy Shernoff, the Waldos, Nona Hendryx, Band of Outsiders, Lenny Kaye, Jahn Xavier and the Gun Club. He also performed with jazz musicians Eddie Gale, Roy Campbell Jr., Marc Ribot, Mark Helias, Dick Griffin, Billy Bang, Borah Bergman and Hanuman Sextet.

Pat Place also played with Maggie Estep's I Love Everybody and Joey's Oscar in the 90s; at one time, she was a member of James Chance and the Contortions, playing steel guitar and featuring on the Brian Eno-produced No New York as one of four bands in the initial New York no wave scene.

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]

Singles and EPs

[edit]
  • "Too Many Creeps" 7-inch EP (1980, 99 Records) #57 Billboard Dance Club Songs
  • "Things That Go Boom in the Night" 7-inch single (1981, Fetish Records) #43 UK Indie Chart
  • "Can't Be Funky" 7-inch single (1981, Fetish Records)
  • Rituals 12-inch EP (1981, Fetish Records/Stiff Records) #32 Billboard Dance Club Songs
  • "Page 18" 12-inch single (1996, Tim/Kerr Records)
  • "Too Many Creeps" 7-inch single (2011, ROIR)
  • "Take the Fall" EP (2018, Wharf Cat Records)
  • "There is a Hum" 7” (2019, Thirdman Records)

Live albums

[edit]
  • Wild Things cassette-only (1983, ROIR)

Compilation albums

[edit]
  • Better Late Than Never (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983) cassette-only (1989, ROIR)
  • Boom in the Night (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983) (1995, ROIR)
  • Tetrafied: Previously Released Recordings (1996, Thirsty Ear)
  • Rhythm and Paranoia: The Best of Bush Tetras (2021, Wharf Cat Records)

Compilation appearances

[edit]
  • "Cold Turkey" (John Lennon cover) and "Punch Drunk" on Start Swimming (1981, Stiff Records)
  • "Das Ah Riot" on The Last Testament (1983, Fetish Records)
  • "Rituals" on New York Rockers (1989, ROIR)
  • "Too Many Creeps" on Totally Wired (1995, Razor & Tie)
  • "Cowboys in Africa" on I [Heart] New York Punk! (1995, free with Mojo issue 144)
  • "Sister Midnight" (Iggy Pop cover) on We Will Fall: The Iggy Pop Tribute (1997, Royalty Records)
  • "Too Many Creeps" on New Wave Dance Hits of the '80s: Just Can't Get Enough (1997, Rhino Records)
  • "Too Many Creeps" on Rough Trade Shops - Post Punk 01 (2003, Mute Records)
  • "Can't Be Funky" on New York Noise (Dance Music from the New York Underground 1978-1982) (2003, Soul Jazz Records)
  • "Too Many Creeps" on The Definitive Story of CBGB (The Home of U.S. Punk) (2006, Salvo)
  • "Punch Drunk" on So Indie It Hurts: Roir Rocks Volume One (2008, ROIR)
  • "Too Many Creeps" on Death Disco (Mojo Presents a Compendium of Post-Punk Grooves) (2014, free with Mojo issue 246)

Members

[edit]
Current
  • Cynthia Sley – vocals (1979–1983, 1995–1998, 2005–present)
  • Pat Place – guitar (1979–1983, 1995–1998, 2005–present)
  • Steve Shelley – drums (2022–present)
  • Cait O'Riordan – bass (2023–present)
Former
  • Laura Kennedy – bass (1979–1983, 1995–1997) (died 2011)
  • Jimmy Joe Uliana – guitar (1979)
  • Adele Bertei – vocals (1979)
  • Bob Albertson – bass (1983)
  • Julia Murphy – bass (1997–2013, 2015)
  • Cindy Rickmond – bass (2013)
  • Val Opielski – bass (2015–2020)
  • Dee Pop – drums (1979–1983, 1995–1998, 2005–2021) (died 2021)
  • Don Christensen – drums (1983), (2021–2022)
  • R.B. Korbet – bass (2022)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bush Tetras

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bush Tetras is an American no wave and post-punk band formed in New York City in 1979, renowned for their raw, groove-driven sound that blends punk aggression with funk, dub, and noise elements, and best known for the seminal 1980 single "Too Many Creeps." The band originated in the vibrant no wave scene of Manhattan's Lower East Side, with guitarist Pat Place—formerly of James Chance and the Contortions—joining forces with drummer Dee Pop, bassist Laura Kennedy, and initial vocalist Adele Bertei, who departed after the group's debut performance and was quickly replaced by Cynthia Sley on vocals. Their music, characterized by jagged guitars, intuitive rhythms, and a "nihilistic" rejection of conventional song structures, captured the chaotic energy of late-1970s New York underground culture, influencing later punk-funk acts. After releasing early EPs on indie labels like 99 Records and , Bush Tetras disbanded in 1983 amid burnout but reformed sporadically starting in 1995 with varying lineups, maintaining a through live performances and archival releases. The group reactivated in the late , issuing the EP Take the Fall in 2018 and the career-spanning Rhythm and Paranoia: The Best of Bush Tetras in 2021, following the death of Dee Pop that year. Their third full-length album, They Live in My Head, arrived in 2023 via Wharf Cat Records, featuring drummer (of ) and bassist Rocky O'Riordan, and addressing contemporary political themes.

History

Formation and early career

Bush Tetras formed in in 1979 amid the movement, with guitarist Pat Place leaving to start the band alongside bassist Laura L. Kennedy. The group initially included keyboardist on vocals briefly before Cynthia Sley joined as lead vocalist in 1980, solidifying the core lineup of Sley (vocals), Place (guitar and vocals), Kennedy (bass), and Dee Pop (drums). Drummer Pop, who had been playing in the local scene, recalled the early configuration as Place and Kennedy first, later adding himself and guitarist Jimmy Joe Uliana before Sley's arrival. The band's name originated as a blend of suggestions from Place and Pop: "Neon Tetras" from Place, referencing the colorful , and "Bush Babies" from Pop, after the small African , resulting in "Bush Tetras" to evoke a sense of whimsy and edge. Their debut performance occurred on , 1980, at the downtown venue Tier 3, followed by shows at iconic spots like , Hurrah's, , and , where they shared bills with acts such as , , Delta 5, X, and . These gigs highlighted the band's emergence from New York's and milieu, characterized by diverse club crowds that mixed genres without strict boundaries. Place's distinctive technique, self-taught and abrasive—often drawing from influences like Mars' China Burg—provided a rhythmic, funky backbone that meshed with Pop's tribal drumming and Kennedy's taut bass lines, while Sley's vocals added intensity. In 1980, Bush Tetras signed with 99 Records, an influential label for and avant-funk acts like and ESG, releasing their debut 7-inch EP Too Many Creeps, which reached No. 57 on the chart and earned acclaim for its angular, danceable sound that captured urban paranoia. Co-produced by Don Christensen, the EP's title track, written quickly by Place inspired by theater creeps, became a club staple with its repetitive groove and Sley's chant-like delivery. Follow-up releases included the 1981 12-inch EP Rituals on , produced by drummer , featuring tracks like "Rituals" and "Punch Drunk" that blended punk energy with reggae-inflected rhythms and horn accents. That year also saw the 7-inch single "Things That Go Boom in the Night" on Fetish Records, further showcasing their percussive, hypnotic style rooted in the city's gritty energy. By 1983, amid touring—including a stint—they issued the live cassette Wild Things on , capturing raw performances of songs like "Cowboys in Africa" and "Boom in the Night," though label shifts and internal tensions posed commercial hurdles.

Breakup and reunions

Bush Tetras disbanded in 1983 following the departure of Laura Kennedy and Dee Pop, who left to pursue other projects, leaving guitarist Pat Place and vocalist Cynthia Sley to perform a few shows with a new comprising Bob Albertson and Don Christensen. The band had struggled with burnout after years of relentless touring and recording without major support, ultimately parting ways before releasing a full-length studio album. The original lineup of Sley, Place, Pop, and Kennedy reformed in amid a that brought renewed interest in acts from New York City's underground scene. This reunion culminated in the release of their debut full-length album, Beauty Lies, in 1997 on Records, recorded with producer . The band supported the album with tours in the and Europe during 1996 and 1997, though member availability posed ongoing challenges due to personal commitments and health issues. Following the dissolution of the 1995–1998 reunion, Bush Tetras reconvened in 2005 with Place, Sley, and Pop for a series of New York performances, marking their return to live activity after a period of inactivity. During this time, they revisited sessions for the album Happy, originally recorded in 1998 with producer Don Fleming for (a subsidiary), but shelved due to the label's sale; it was eventually released in 2012 on . In the mid-2010s, the band maintained intermittent activity despite setbacks, including Kennedy's death from complications of hepatitis C on November 14, 2011, which necessitated lineup adjustments with new bassists for subsequent shows. They undertook tours in and , including a 35th-anniversary performance in New York, and contributed tracks to compilations reissuing their early material, such as the 2012 collection Boom in the Night: Original Studio Recordings 1980–1983. These efforts highlighted the band's resilience amid personal losses and logistical hurdles like scheduling conflicts among members.

Recent activity

The disrupted Bush Tetras' planned 2020 tours, although they performed at Mexico City's NRMAL festival on March 7, 2020, before widespread cancellations affected the live music scene that year. These interruptions, amid the era's uncertainties, influenced the band's reflections on isolation and resilience in subsequent work. In October 2021, longtime drummer Dee Pop died at age 65 from , just days before a New York release event for the band's retrospective compilation. His passing, following the 2011 death of original bassist Laura Kennedy from complications of hepatitis C, deepened the emotional weight of the group's ongoing activities and shaped the mournful tone of their later output. That November, Wharf Cat Records issued Rhythm and Paranoia: The Best of Bush Tetras, a three-LP boxed set remastered by Carl Saff, featuring 29 tracks including rarities and a 46-page booklet chronicling the band's . The release honored Pop's legacy while reaffirming the band's roots amid personal losses. drummer joined Bush Tetras on drums in April 2022, providing continuity after Pop's death and contributing to rehearsals that revitalized the lineup. In April 2023, bassist (also known as Rocky) came on board for bass, completing a refreshed ensemble with founding members Cynthia Sley and Pat Place. This configuration yielded the band's third studio album, They Live in My Head, released on Wharf Cat Records in July 2023. Produced by Shelley, the record explores themes of memory, loss, and 2020s upheavals—including the —through tracks like "2020 Vision" and "Ghosts of People." Critics praised its vitality, with describing it as "as vital [as] any album the Bush Tetras have ever made." highlighted its sludgy honoring Pop. The band performed with this lineup throughout 2023 and into 2024, including at Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland on July 7, 2024. In October 2024, Bush Tetras debuted a further updated lineup featuring Erik Sanko and drummer Clem Waldmann, with their first show on October 4 at Brooklyn's Market Hotel. This configuration, with Place and Sley, continued selective performances, including at Baby's All Right on October 24, 2024, and TV Eye in on November 4, 2025. As of November 14, 2025, no major tours or new releases have been announced, though maintains its legacy through these live engagements.

Musical style and legacy

Characteristics and influences

Bush Tetras' signature sound is defined by jagged, angular guitar riffs played by Pat Place, who emphasized and rhythmic patterns over traditional lead lines, creating a distinctive abrasive texture that cuts through the mix. Sley's vocals contribute a snide, rhythmic delivery—often half-spoken and quivering with a snarling edge—that adds tension to the band's dynamic. Complementing this are dub-influenced, rumbling basslines and propulsive, cowbell-clopping drumming that drive relentlessly funky rhythms, fostering a tension between discordance and groove-oriented propulsion. The band's genre fusion draws from and foundations, incorporating avant-funk, dub, , and elements to produce mutant grooves that prioritize repetitive, hypnotic patterns over conventional song structures. This avoidance of traditional forms results in punchy, freakish dancefloor numbers that blend the raw energy of punk with sophisticated rhythmic interplay, evoking a sense of urban unease through their taut, aggressive execution. Key influences stem from the New York City no wave scene, including bands like the Contortions and DNA, whose experimental dissonance shaped the Tetras' angular approach, alongside the punk energy of the CBGB era featuring acts such as the Ramones and Television. The band's name, combining "bush babies"—a small African primate—and "tetra" from neon tetra fish, reflects an affinity for tribal, African-inspired rhythms, further informed by funk icons like James Brown and Bohannon, as well as avant-garde free-jazz and Harlem hip-hop vibes. Early releases on 99 Records embodied a lo-fi, raw production aesthetic that captured the band's scrappy intelligence and roots, with minimal polish highlighting their edgy noise guitar and muscular grooves. Later reunion efforts evolved toward slightly more refined production while preserving the core raw edge and dissonant tension. Thematically, Bush Tetras' lyrics explore urban and , as exemplified in tracks like "Too Many Creeps," which serve as anti-anthems about navigating creeps and frustration in city life. In later work, reflections on time and loss emerge, influenced by personal experiences such as the death of drummer Dee Pop, infusing their music with and amid ongoing .

Impact and recognition

Bush Tetras played a pivotal role in the and movements of late 1970s and early 1980s , bridging experimental noise and abrasive art-rock with danceable punk rhythms that infused funk and dub elements into the genre's raw energy. Their sound captured the chaotic, discordant atmosphere of the , influencing the broader NYC underground scene by prioritizing groove and confrontation over traditional structures. This approach helped pioneer punk-funk, setting a template for later acts in the revival. The band garnered early cult status in the club and college radio circuits, where tracks like "Too Many Creeps" became anthems despite limited commercial reach, reflecting no wave's niche, anti-mainstream ethos. Recognition grew in the 2020s through reissues and media coverage, with a 2023 Guardian interview highlighting their "nihilistic" DIY spirit and egalitarian songwriting as enduring hallmarks of no wave's politicized edge. praised their 2023 album They Live in My Head as their most vital work, underscoring the band's sustained inventiveness into their later years amid personal losses. Key legacy milestones include appearances in no wave compilations and documentaries that contextualize their contributions to the era's abrasive, confrontational sound. The 2021 box set Rhythm and Paranoia: The Best of Bush Tetras, released by Wharf Cat Records, served as a comprehensive with over 30 remastered tracks, unreleased material, and essays from figures like , cementing their historical footprint. Recent performances, including at the 2024 Mosswood Meltdown, demonstrate their ongoing appeal, drawing crowds with high-energy sets that reaffirm their role in sustaining post-punk's experimental vitality. As of 2025, the band continues to tour, with performances in and , maintaining a dedicated audience into the mid-2020s. Their broader recognition extends to shaping dance-punk's fusion of punk aggression and club rhythms, though no wave's underground status posed barriers to mainstream breakthrough, limiting them to influential rather than commercial icons. Post-2023, appreciation has intensified for their resilience, particularly following the 2021 death of drummer Dee Pop, which informed their reflective yet forceful output and highlighted their perseverance through lineup changes and scene shifts. Despite historical underrepresentation in major punk narratives—often overshadowed by male-led contemporaries—recent revivals via reissues and online fan engagement have elevated their profile, sustaining a dedicated audience into the mid-2020s.

Band members

Current lineup

The current lineup of Bush Tetras, as of 2025, consists of founding members Cynthia Sley and Pat Place alongside drummer Clem Waldmann and bassist Erik Sanko, forming a stable configuration following recent lineup shifts, including the death of longtime drummer Dee Pop in October 2021. This lineup debuted in performance on October 4, 2025, at Market Hotel in , marking a period of renewed activity with returning former members. Cynthia Sley serves as lead vocalist, a role she has held continuously since the band's formation in 1979; she is renowned for her delivery that infuses the group's and sound with a detached, hypnotic edge. Pat Place handles guitar and backing vocals, having co-founded the band in 1979; her signature technique, influenced by her prior work with , provides the rattling, angular riffs central to Bush Tetras' style. Clem Waldmann joined on drums in 2024, having previously played bass in the band from 2004 to 2008; a member of Ui and Loser's Lounge, he brings a versatile, groove-driven percussion style rooted in downtown New York experimental traditions, contributing to the band's dynamic live energy. Erik Sanko joined on bass in 2025, having previously played drums in the band from 2005 to 2008; known for his work with , SQÜRL, , , and the Contortions, he adds rhythmic depth and noise-infused drive to live sets, enhancing the band's foundation.

Former members

Laura L. Kennedy served as the original bassist for Bush Tetras from 1979 to 1983 and rejoined the band during its reunion, contributing until 1997. Her dub-influenced basslines, characterized by melodic repetition and rhythmic drive, were essential to the band's and sound, particularly on tracks like "Too Many Creeps." Kennedy departed in 1997 amid lineup shifts during the reunion period; she passed away on November 14, 2011, in from complications related to Hepatitis C, which she had battled for nearly two decades. Dee Pop (born Dimitri Papadopoulos) was the band's founding and longtime drummer, playing from 1979 to 1983 and again from the 1995 reunion through 2021. His propulsive, groove-oriented rhythms anchored Bush Tetras' punk-funk style and supported their live energy during multiple eras of activity. Following the band's label drop in 1998, Pop shifted focus to and performance. He left in 2021 shortly before his death on October 9 of that year at age 65. Steve Shelley played drums from 2022 to 2024; the former member brought an experimental percussion approach rooted in and noise traditions, contributing to the band's dynamic live energy and production on recent material like the 2023 album in My Head. Cait O’Riordan played bass from 2023 to 2025; the ex-Pogues member added rhythmic depth and punk-folk drive to live sets, enhancing the band's groove-oriented foundation as heard on in My Head. During the band's initial breakup in 1983, attributed to creative burnout after intense touring and recording, the lineup briefly featured bassist Bob Albertson and drummer Don Christensen for a short period of transitional performances. In subsequent reunions starting in 2004, short-term members included bassist Clem Waldmann (2004–2008), drummer Erik Sanko (2005–2008), drummer Ric Christman (2008–2010), and bassist James Lo (2008–2015), who helped maintain the band's momentum through various configurations before transitioning to the current roster.

Discography

Studio albums

Bush Tetras' debut studio , Beauty Lies, was released in 1997 on Records. Produced by , the 12-track record reunites the band's original lineup and explores themes of urban life and personal introspection through their signature grooves, blending jagged rhythms with more polished production compared to their earlier singles. The received positive notices for retaining the group's raw energy while showing signs of evolution, with Cynthia Sley's vocals described as undiminished in their intensity.
No.TitleLength
1Mr. Love Song3:42
2Page 183:45
34:30
4Beauty Lies3:04
5Color Green3:19
6Bummer3:37
7Silver Chain3:10
8"Ballad"2:29
9Mental Mishap3:06
10Find a Lie3:26
11Basement Babies3:13
12World5:50
Personnel: Pat Place – guitar; Cynthia Sley – vocals; Laura Kennedy – bass, additional vocals; Dee Pop – drums; with additional contributions from (additional vocals, mixing), (additional vocals), Julia Kent (cello on tracks 8 and 12), and Pat Place (additional vocals). The band's second studio album, Happy, was recorded in 1998 with producer Don Fleming but remained shelved for over a due to label changes before its release in 2012 on . This 10-track effort shifts toward a more upbeat and groove-oriented sound, incorporating funkier elements and brighter tempos while maintaining the group's roots. Critics noted its infectious energy and the way it captured the band's resilience during a period of uncertainty.
No.TitleLength
1Heart Attack4:15
2Slap2:59
3Trip3:11
4Nails4:30
5Chinese Afro1:58
6Pretty Thing4:46
7You Don't Know Me2:52
8Buckets of Blood4:02
9Love Divine3:08
10Dum Dum3:23
Personnel: Pat Place – guitar, vocals; Cynthia Sley – vocals; Laura Kennedy – bass; Dee Pop – drums. They Live in My Head, released in 2023 on Wharf Cat Records, marks the band's third studio album and first in over a decade. Co-produced by the band and (), the 11-track collection—dedicated to original drummer Dee Pop, who died in 2021 and contributed parts before his passing—reflects on personal loss with somber yet defiant arrangements featuring sludgy distortion and introspective lyrics. The album was praised for its emotional depth and the seamless integration of new drummer Shelley, honoring the band's history while pushing forward.
No.TitleLength
1Bird on a Wire4:18
2Tout Est Meilleur2:48
3Things I Put Together3:38
42020 Vision3:34
5I Am Not a Member2:01
6Walking Out the Door5:03
7So Strange3:20
8Ghosts of People4:51
9They Live in My Head3:17
10Another Room5:03
113:52
Personnel: Pat Place – guitar; Cynthia Sley – vocals; RB Korbet – bass; – drums.

Singles and EPs

Bush Tetras' early singles and EPs established their reputation in the New York and scenes, blending angular guitars, driving rhythms, and danceable grooves that appealed to underground clubs. Their debut release, the "Too Many Creeps" 7-inch EP, came out in 1980 on 99 Records and featured three tracks: "Too Many Creeps" (4:02), "Snakes Crawl" (3:36), and "You Taste Like the Tropics" (1:32). This EP marked a breakthrough, with the title track reaching No. 57 on the chart, highlighting the band's unexpected crossover into circuits despite their raw, experimental edge. In 1981, the band issued the "Rituals" 12-inch EP on Fetish Records (with UK distribution via ), produced by drummer and recorded at in New York. The four-track release included "Can't Be Funky" (2:45), "Funky Instrumental" (2:39), "Cowboys in Africa" (2:56), and "Rituals" (3:51), incorporating funk and influences with added horns for a more polished yet paranoid sound. Issued in a limited pressing for international markets, it captured the band's evolving style during their tours with acts like , though it remained a niche item outside core punk circles. After a long hiatus, Bush Tetras returned with new original material on the "Take the Fall" 12-inch EP, released in 2018 on Wharf Cat Records—their first such output in over a decade. Featuring five tracks—"True Blue" (3:58), "Red Heavy" (3:35), "Mouse" (1:18), "Don't Stop It" (3:46), and "Out Again" (5:08)—the EP revived their signature tension between noise and groove, with videos accompanying "Red Heavy" and other singles to promote live performances. Available in vinyl and digital formats, it underscored the band's enduring relevance in post-punk revival scenes.
ReleaseYearLabelFormatKey Tracks
Too Many Creeps198099 Records7-inch vinylToo Many Creeps, Snakes Crawl, You Taste Like the Tropics
Rituals1981Fetish/12-inch vinylCan't Be Funky, Rituals, Cowboys in Africa
Take the Fall2018Wharf Cat Records12-inch vinyl, digitalTrue Blue, Red Heavy, Don't Stop It

Live and compilation albums

Bush Tetras' sole official live album, Wild Things, was released in 1983 by as a cassette-only recording capturing performances from key New York venues including CBGB's in August 1982, the in September 1982, and Hitsville in in July 1982. The album features 13 tracks blending originals like "Cowboys in Africa" and "Jaws" with covers such as "Wild Thing" by and "" attributed to Lennon-McCartney, showcasing the band's raw, energetic style in a live context. The band's compilation releases primarily consist of retrospectives drawing from their early 1980s studio output, beginning with the 1989 cassette Better Late Than Never (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983) on , which remastered key tracks from their initial singles and EPs to revive interest during a period of inactivity. This was followed in 1995 by Boom in the Night (Original Studio Recordings 1980-1983) on USA, a reissue expanding on the previous compilation with additional material from the same era, emphasizing their rhythms and angular guitar work. In 1996, Thirsty Ear issued Tetrafied, a compilation that curated selections from their formative years, further solidifying their archival presence. The most comprehensive overview arrived with the boxed set Rhythm and Paranoia: The Best of Bush Tetras on Wharf Cat Records, available as a 3-LP vinyl edition or 2- digipack containing 29 remastered tracks (30 on ) spanning their career, including rarities, previously unreleased material, and live recordings. Accompanied by a substantial booklet with photos and essays, the set serves as a definitive , highlighting the band's enduring influence on and while incorporating elements from their live performances to capture their dynamic stage energy. Beyond their own compilations, Bush Tetras tracks have appeared on influential multi-artist collections, such as "Can't Be Funky" on the 2003 Records anthology New York Noise: Dance Music from the New York Underground 1977-1982, which contextualizes their contributions within the city's underground scene alongside acts like Dinosaur L and James White and the Blacks. These appearances have played a role in preserving and disseminating their legacy through curated overviews of the era.

Members' other projects

Pat Place

Pat Place began her musical career as a founding guitarist for James Chance and the Contortions in 1977, contributing to the band's raw no wave sound on their debut album Buy (1979), where her angular, rhythmic slide guitar playing complemented the group's frenetic energy. She left in 1979 amid internal tensions. In the 1980s and 1990s, Place pursued collaborations that highlighted her distinctive slide guitar technique, often blending no wave's dissonance with experimental edges. She appeared in and contributed guitar to the soundtrack of the film The Offenders (1980) by Beth B and Scott B, featuring Lydia Lunch. Place also appeared on Vortex (1983), a multimedia soundtrack collaboration with Lunch, John Lurie, Adele Bertei, and filmmakers Beth and Scott B, where her guitar work added gritty textures to the avant-garde compositions. Further partnerships with Lunch included the noisy improvisation EP Stinkfist (1987) with Clint Ruin (JG Thirlwell), showcasing Place's ability to layer slide riffs over chaotic soundscapes. Place continued exploring slide guitar in fluid, project-based work during this period, including contributions to Lunch's In Limbo performances in the mid-1980s, where she provided rhythmic foundations alongside musicians like and Jim Sclavunos. These endeavors emphasized her instrumental focus, prioritizing texture and groove over traditional song structures, a hallmark of her no wave roots. In the 2000s and beyond, Place has participated in no wave revival efforts. While maintaining her primary commitment to Bush Tetras, these occasional appearances underscore her enduring influence on experimental guitar playing within revival contexts.

Cynthia Sley

Following her foundational role as in Bush Tetras, where her spoken-sung delivery became a hallmark of the band's sound, Cynthia Sley pursued several collaborative projects that expanded her experimental edge. In the late 1980s, Sley co-formed the band Lovelies with guitarist , her husband at the time, blending influences into a more melodic rock style; the group released their sole , Mad Orphan, in 1988, which garnered local acclaim in New York City's underground scene. During the 2000s, Sley joined forces with composer and multi-instrumentalist —known for his work with the B-52's and They Might Be Giants—in the electronic pop project Command V with Rachel Dengiz, creating synth-driven tracks that fused roots with modern electronic elements; the group released a self-titled album in 2012. In recent years, Sley has appeared as a guest vocalist on no wave retrospective compilations, contributing her distinctive style to archival releases celebrating the genre's legacy, and she has given interviews reflecting on Bush Tetras' enduring influence, including discussions around the band's 2023 album They Live in My Head.

References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/01/punk-funk-legends-bush-tetras-we-had-no-rules-song-structure-didnt-exist-it-was-nihilistic
  2. https://bushtetrasnyc.bandcamp.com/music
  3. https://www.wharfcatrecords.com/bush-tetras
  4. https://louderthanwar.com/bush-tetras-at-40-an-interview-with-drummer-dee-pop/
  5. https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/bush-tetras-rhythm-and-paranoia-feature
  6. https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2015/02/bush-tetras-not-your-common-garden.html
  7. https://bvmtv.com/shop/bush-tetras-too-many-creeps
  8. https://www.discogs.com/release/29043-Bush-Tetras-Rituals
  9. https://www.discogs.com/release/2945115-Bush-Tetras-Wild-Things
  10. https://tonezone.wordpress.com/raybeats-related-bands/bush-tetras/
  11. https://www.theselfportraitgospel.com/interviews/cynthia-sley-bush-tetras
  12. https://stompandstammer.com/feature-stories/bush-tetras/
  13. https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/08/04/bush-tetras
  14. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/bush-tetras
  15. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2X2Q1fpEwW7WtZxXb4acYb
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/4382060-Bush-Tetras-Happy
  17. https://www.ebay.com/itm/146385343561
  18. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/laura-kennedy-o/
  19. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/bush-tetras-cel/
  20. https://www.stranger-fiction.com/the-music-box/bush-tetras-boom-in-the-night-original-studio-recordings-1980-1983
  21. https://pitchfork.com/news/44644-rip-bush-tetras-laura-kennedy/
  22. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bush-tetras/2020/deportivo-lomas-altas-mexico-city-mexico-7399e2d5.html
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/24/arts/music/dee-pop-dead.html
  24. https://bushtetrasnyc.bandcamp.com/album/rhythm-and-paranoia-the-best-of-bush-tetras
  25. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/bush-tetras-welcome-drummer-steve-shelley-to-the-band-announce-showounced/
  26. https://post-punk.com/bush-tetras-add-rocky-cait-oriordan-to-their-lineup/
  27. https://www.wharfcatrecords.com/store/bush-tetras-they-live-in-my-head
  28. https://www.npr.org/2023/08/21/1194362486/they-live-in-my-head-is-as-vital-any-album-the-bush-tetras-have-ever-made
  29. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/bush-tetras-they-live-in-my-head/
  30. https://www.facebook.com/bushtetras/
  31. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bush-tetras/2024/mosswood-park-oakland-ca-73563625.html
  32. https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/bush-tetras-bd7a532.html
  33. https://www.songkick.com/artists/124324-bush-tetras
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/25/arts/the-pop-life-187886.html
  35. https://bedfordandbowery.com/2012/12/nightclubbing-bush-tetras-1980/
  36. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-bush-tetras-rhythm-and-paranoia-the-best-of-bush-tetras/
  37. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bush-tetras-mn0000640269
  38. https://www.furious.com/perfect/patplace.html
  39. https://trouserpress.com/reviews/bush-tetras/
  40. https://www.allmusic.com/year-in-review/2021/favorite-archival
  41. https://www.allmusic.com/album/they-live-in-my-head-mw0004003039
  42. https://observer.com/2023/07/new-york-rock-icons-bush-tetras-return-with-help-from-sonic-youths-steve-shelly/
  43. https://pleasekillme.com/bush-tetras/
  44. https://www.stereogum.com/2167230/bush-tetras-rhythm-and-paranoia/interviews/qa/
  45. https://pitchfork.com/news/bush-tetras-announce-new-career-spanning-box-set/
  46. https://www.kalx.berkeley.edu/mosswood-meltdown-2024-recap/
  47. https://www.instagram.com/bushtetras/
  48. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/tour-news-bush-tetras-paul-f-tompkins-yelle-l7-40th-anniversary-piss-bela-fleck-more/
  49. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMdChzhMQt6/
  50. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9923-the-story-of-feminist-punk-in-33-songs/
  51. https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/thurston-moore-and-bush-tetras-look-back-on-the-no-wave-scene
  52. https://www.discogs.com/artist/528408-Clem-Waldmann
  53. https://www.discogs.com/artist/257375-Erik-Sanko
  54. https://peel.fandom.com/wiki/Bush_Tetras
  55. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRqmZ-lNEUP/
  56. https://pitchfork.com/news/bush-tetras-drummer-dee-pop-dies-at-65/
  57. https://pitchfork.com/news/bush-tetras-new-drummer-sonic-youth-steve-shelley/
  58. https://www.last.fm/music/Bush%2BTetras/%2Bwiki
  59. https://www.discogs.com/artist/24051-Bush-Tetras
  60. https://www.discogs.com/master/348864-Bush-Tetras-Beauty-Lies
  61. https://bushtetrasnyc.bandcamp.com/album/beauty-lies
  62. https://bushtetrasnyc.bandcamp.com/album/happy
  63. https://www.discogs.com/master/580294-Bush-Tetras-Happy
  64. https://www.allmusic.com/album/happy-mw0002432770
  65. https://bushtetrasnyc.bandcamp.com/album/they-live-in-my-head
  66. https://www.discogs.com/master/3197124-Bush-Tetras-They-Live-In-My-Head
  67. https://www.discogs.com/release/350591-Bush-Tetras-Too-Many-Creeps
  68. https://modernsoulrecordsco.com/products/bush-tetras-rituals-12-ep-1981
  69. https://www.discogs.com/release/12091185-Bush-Tetras-Take-The-Fall
  70. https://bushtetrasnyc.bandcamp.com/album/take-the-fall-2
  71. https://www.discogs.com/master/73261-Bush-Tetras-Boom-In-The-Night-Original-Studio-Recordings-1980-1983
  72. https://www.discogs.com/release/669800-Bush-Tetras-Boom-In-The-Night-Original-Studio-Recordings-1980-1983
  73. https://www.discogs.com/release/161963-Various-New-York-Noise-Dance-Music-From-The-New-York-Underground-1978-1982
  74. https://www.fromthearchives.com/ll/portal.html
  75. https://ivanjulian.com/bio
  76. https://tidal.com/magazine/article/ivan-julian/1-89688
  77. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/command-v-mn0002558272
  78. https://thequietus.com/news/former-bush-tetras-b52s-unite-in-command-v/
  79. https://www.discogs.com/artist/496890-Cynthia-Sley
  80. https://aquariumdrunkard.com/2023/06/14/bush-tetras-the-aquarium-drunkard-interview/
  81. https://louderthanwar.com/return-of-the-cave-girls-interview-with-pat-place-and-cynthia-sley-of-bush-tetras/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.