Thin White Rope

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Thin White Rope

TWR performing in Davis, California.
Background information
Origin Davis, California, USA
Genres Desert rock
Experimental rock
Alternative rock
Years active 1984–1992
Labels Frontier Records
RCA
Past members Guy Kyser
Roger Kunkel
Jozef Becker
Kevin Staydohar
Stephen Tesluk
John von Feldt
Matthew Abourezk
Frank French
Stooert Odom
Official Thin White Rope logo

Thin White Rope (TWR) was an American rock band fronted by Guy Kyser and related to the desert rock and Paisley Underground sub-genres. The band released five albums to critical acclaim.

Origins

The band was formed in Davis, California, during a period spanning 1981 and 1982. Founding members Guy Kyser and Jozef Becker were in a band called the Les Z Boys in 1981. Becker and Kyser split off during the 1981-1982 period, and posted an ad at Skip's Music seeking a bass player and another guitarist. Roger Kunkel answered the ad, bringing in bass player Kevin Staydohar.[1][2] The newly formed band played some of the same covers as the Les Z Boys, and also began to introduce original songs by Kyser.[1]

The name "Thin White Rope" was derived from William S. Burroughs' description of human semen in Naked Lunch.[3] It was suggested by a friend of Becker, and agreed upon by the four original members during the 1981-1982 period.[1]

Career

Steve Tesluk (bass) and Frank French (drums) joined the group in 1983, replacing Staydohar and Becker, both of whom left to join True West.

In 1984, a four-track recording with about 14 songs was sent to a number of labels, and an additional demo was recorded in December with Scott Miller producing. At this time, Jozef Becker rejoined the group, replacing French. Lisa Fancher of Frontier Records, who heard of Thin White Rope through a magazine review of the 14-song demo, signed the group to Frontier, and the band then recorded Exploring the Axis.[1]

Over time, the band retained singer/songwriter/guitarist Guy Kyser and guitarist Roger Kunkel, with a changing line-up of drummers and bass guitarists. Like Television, it was noted for its twin guitar attack, innovative use of feedback structures and oblique lyrics. The Rough Guide to Rock called Thin White Rope "one of the few worthwhile traditional American guitar rock bands of their era. While most of the essential groups of the time were pushing back the limits of the form, Thin White Rope had the distinction of managing to breathe new life into the genre."[4]

The band contributed a cover of Roky Erikson's "Burn the Flames" to the 1990 Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye tribute album.

TWR disbanded in 1992. The double live LP The One That Got Away chronicles its epic last show in Ghent, Belgium, on 28 June of that year.

Discography

Studio Albums

Live Album

Compilation Albums

EPs

Singles

  • "Skinhead" (1988)
  • "Ants Are Cavemen" (1990)
  • "Eye" (1991)
  • "Moonhead (live)" (1993)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Becker, Jozef. "Thin White Rope formation". Davis 80s Music. Retrieved 1 March 2012. 
  2. ↑ "Kevin Staydohar". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. 
  3. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Thin White Rope: Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. 
  4. ↑ Buckley, Peter. The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. p. 1073. ISBN 1843531054. 

External links

Thin White Rope
  • Guy Kyser
  • Roger Kunkel
  • Jozef Becker
  • Kevin Staydohar
  • Stephen Tesluk
  • John von Feldt
  • Matthew Abourezk
  • Frank French
  • Stooert Odom
Studio albums
Live albums
Singles and EPs
  • Bottom Feeders (1987)
  • Red Sun EP (1988)
  • "Skinhead" (1988)
  • "Ants Are Cavemen" (1990)
  • Squatter's Rights EP (1991)
  • "Eye" (1991)
  • "Moonhead (live)" (1993)
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