The U-Men

The U-Men
The U-Men performing live in Seattle.
Background information
Origin Seattle, Washington, United States
Genres
Years active 1981 (1981)–1989 (1989)
Labels
Members John Bigley
Tom Price
Jim Tillman
Charlie Ryan
Past members Tom Hazelmyer
Robin Buchan
Tony Ransom

The U-Men was an American rock band, formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1981 and active until 1989. They toured extensively across the United States. Their musically "dirty" sound was a forerunner for the later grunge bands to come out of Seattle.

History

Drummer Charlie Ryan performing with The U-Men in a Seattle club

The U-Men were fronted by vocalist John Bigley and included Tom Price, Charlie "Chaz" Ryan, Robin Buchan, Jim Tillman, Tom Hazelmyer and later Tony "Tone Deaf" Ransom. Their alternative rock sound was credited by Allmusic for helping to inspire the Seattle grunge sound. They had a song by the Butthole Surfers named in their honor, "The O-Men", from the album Locust Abortion Technician.[1]

Tom Price moved on to form Gas Huffer, and also play in The Monkeywrench. Bigley and Ryan co-founded The Crows. Jim Tillman, who is recognized as the main line-up bass player having played on the first two full releases which included the self-titled EP, "The U-Men" (1984), "Stop Spinning" (1985), and the Deep Six compilation (1986) track "They", went on to play bass for other local bands, most notably Love Battery. Mark Arm from Mudhoney noted on Sub Pop's anthology release announcement that the band was never the same after Tillman's departure.[2]

Tom Hazelmyer briefly played with the band but left to remain in his hometown of Minneapolis (performing live just once with the band when they opened for Big Black at the Showbox Theater in March 1987) to promote his record company (Amphetamine Reptile Records) and band, Halo of Flies.

Band members

  • John Bigley – vocals
  • Tom Price – guitar
  • Robin Buchan – bass (1981–1982)
  • Jim Tillman – bass (1982–1986)
  • Charlie Ryan – drums
  • Additional bassists include:
  • Tom Hazelmyer – bass (1987)
  • Tony Ransom – bass (July 1987 – 1989)

Discography

The U-Men performing at the Metropolis in Seattle in 1983. From L/R, vocalist John Bigley, bassist Jim Tillman, and guitarist Tom Price.

Albums

Singles and EPs

Compilation albums

  • Solid Action (Chuckie-Boy Records, 1999)
  • U-Men (Self-titled anthology, Sub Pop, 2017)[2]

Compilation and soundtrack contributions

  • "They" on the Deep Six compilation (C/Z Records, 1986)
  • "Shoot 'Em Down (live)" on the Woodshock '85 compilation (El Jefe Records, 1986)
  • "Gila" on the Sub Pop 100 compilation (Sub Pop Records, 1986)
  • "Bad Little Woman" on the Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In The Streets, Vol. 1 compilation (Amphetamine Reptile, 1988)
  • "Bad Little Woman" on the Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In The Streets, Vols. 1-3 compilation (Amphetamine Reptile, 1989)
  • "Dig It a Hole" and "Solid Action" on the Hype! soundtrack (Sub Pop Records, 1996)

References

  1. ↑ Howell, Stephen. "U-Men | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-05-06.
  2. 1 2 Records, Sub Pop. "Sub Pop Will Release The Comprehensive Anthology From Legendary Seattle Band The U-Men on Nov. 3rd. Now hear "Dig It a Hole"". Subpop.com. Retrieved 9 December 2017.

Further reading

  • Yarm, Mark (2012). Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 9780307464446.
  • Prato, Greg (2010). Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music. ECW Press. ISBN 9781554903474.
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