Pere Ubu - Birdies (Urgh! A Music War)

[@moonlight6654]

Well, yes, they are deliberate. That's a good word to describe them. But damn, there is no one else like Pere Ubu. I went to a lecture by Brian Eno in the early 80's and someone asked him what he thought of Per Ubu. Eno replied, "Someone has to do the dirty work". I love that.

[@tambocha]

By christ, what a great movie. It changed my life completely back in 1982.

[@Threeballer97]

I started watching this and I thought this was terrible music. Now after watching it ten times, I'm telling myself that the birdies are singing what I wanna sing over and over throughout my day.

[@terrykearns]

You aren't kidding. This video brings it out. He's strangely genuine and touching. When I saw him (Echo Lounge Atlanta), he could barely get on stage because of his size. Girl bass player if that helps date the show. They tore to roof off that place. Nobody could have rocked harder. Dave was a giant obese man fitting no rock stereotype or archetype. Yet, it was touching from start to finish. He was touching. Just amazing.

[@steveo13211]

i was high the first time i saw this video. since then i watch it all the time. i love the bass in this song.

[@clambake444]

Thanks, An impossibly great song IMHO. Dave connects, communicates genuine pathos and humor. Saw him live not too many years ago. The band tore off the roof and knocked down the walls yet Dave was touching, moving, personable.

[@meesalikeu]

i saw them summer 2018 and it was a stunning, fantastic show. david can hardly walk, he needs help, but he was in great spirits and voice. saw them many yrs ago too at even more raucous show when he could move around better.

[@blachubear]

You can see David Thomas influenced Frank Black. Thomas was Frank Black before Frank formed The Pixies. Eric Drew Feldman used to play keyboards for The Pixies & Black's solo tour. I think Feldman produced Black's first two solo CD's also. I glad someone posted this video.

[@joefax530]

Saw them on this same tour at the Warfield in S.F. Buried in the middle of the show, and miles ahead of everything else. Still are.

[@sulladrum]

it must be so hard for kids to come up with original ideas these days. That was such a great time for musical inventiveness. It's also great to see that so many people have commented on this band.

[@TheArrow1987]

yeah all those amazing post-punk bands back then, and the experimental ones like Pere Ubu, This Heat and Tuxedomoon, or industrial like SPK, I love all those, sometimes I wish I could travel back in time just to experience how it must have been for the people to discover those bands. But I'm thankful I live now, thanks to the internet, otherwise I would have never discovered any of those bands.

[@CaratGlobbins]

For someone in a band trying to do something like this, I do admit it’s a bit hard. But also a blessing since there’s so many things to get inspired from. There’s a really hip post-punk scene in the UK right now, lots of young talent doing some cutting edge stuff. I recommend Black Country new road, squid and black midi! They’re the ones keeping this shit alive

[@Jacksmusicshack]

​@CaratGlobbins pushing them boundries.. is hard but it's worth it!. Love being a musician 😊

[@PantsMenace]

David Thomas has the best stage presence of any artist I've ever seen. He's got a more distinctive style than Ian Curtis and he's actually energetic. Needs more Pere Ubu videos.

[@glazinghost5951]

Thank god I discovered Pere Ubu

[@ChernozymVideo]

I always loved seeing Pere Ubu! Great live band; saw them many times in Toronto at tiny clubs.

[@ubukhan1]

I watch this video at least once a week. It will be a sad day if it ever disappears.

[@mikefelix3150]

Forever one of the weirdest bands ever ...LOVE IT!

[@modernmartyr]

David Thomas and Père Ubu change the face of rock music I want to see and hear more like this

[@garygomes9851]

Check out Family w Roger Chapman around 1970. You will be surprised!!!

[@Adge771]

this guy's a good 15 years ahead of his time

[@alongalostaway]

Totally agree -- could you elaborate more on that?

[@ocaratriste]

Volte daqui a 5 anos bro

[@jackgrattan1447]

Tony Maimone was one hell of a bass player.

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

Jack Grattan The drummer is shit hot too...

[@jackgrattan1447]

Krause. Scott Krause? Yeah, scary rhythm section. I used to see them at the Pirates Cove in Cleveland all of the time back in the '70's. All of my friends who hated punk were always blathering on about how "they can't play their instruments". And I was thinking "what the fuck are you talking about?"

[@Timmybear]

@mikedrud - R Scott Kraus does have rather long hair and is slim and semi-pretty, but is not female. Actually, the only woman who has been in any version of Pere Ubu (though she has now been in the band for 10 years) is Michele Temple, bassist.

[@melomane2010]

Urgh! A Music War had some really great moments that introduced me to a lot of music a kid from Chicago just never got to hear. A buddy from LA when I was in the USAF introduced me to to it, and I still find the performances inspiring. This song probably wins hands down as one of the strangest songs I had heard up to that point in my life, but I love the manic passion of it

[@Christhebeen]

I recall the mighty Peel playing this exact version back in the day. Never seen 'em until now. Thanks John.

[@borgorusky]

Pere Ubu with all their weird and wonderful dimensions...pity there's not much at all of Ubu and Thomas around on YT especially since they have made so much great stuff and are one of the few legendary bands/singers still kicking.

[@GeoH97]

This is a beautiful example of Dave Thomas's brilliance, and genius, when it was new & fresh. The 1srt display I'm aware of. With, Pere Ubu. I think the repetition of the shows, and the night after night of it wore off the wonder and appeal of it for Dave. His vocals were still, great, weird. ethereal, whatever they were, but his performance degenerated into his shaking his finger @ his band mates in apparent frustration as though they were wrong, or not keeping up. Which I have to think was for show, as everything sounded great. But his finger wagging got old fast as though he couldn't think of anything else to do. I love you Dave, I'm trying to work up the nerve & the musicians to perform "Birdies" myself! I'm a big feller like you, right now I'm 60 yrs old. Love you & Pere Ubu George,

[@CheGumby]

+Geo. H. say them a couple of years ago @ Slim's in SF, & he seemed fairly jaded, but he made the cynicism really work for him.

[@GeoH97]

I think the jaded thing is just his schtick!

[@CheGumby]

+Geo. H. Quite possible, I was trying to figure it out at the show & couldn't decide.

[@jessecheshire9269]

i saw them this past winter and his persona was very difficult to read. seemed genuinely angry at band mates sometimes but also he seemed at other times to be putting on an act.

[@samadams8355]

He's hypercritical and demanding, according to ex-Ubu people, which is part of why a lot of band members have come and gone over the years. But he's one of a kind, and I'm glad he and Ubu are still going.

[@stephanvenner2939]

Mir waren Pere Ubu damals zu schräg,wichtig waren sie auf jedenfall.

[@indcore]

This movie deserves to get the IMAX treatment so I can watch it on a 6-story screen...!

[@meesalikeu]

can u imagine?!!

[@meesalikeu]

i head all the music is tied up in rights issues and not really worth sorting out financially, so urrgh is sunk unfortunately.

[@d3nnis123]

it wont even play on my DVD player, how is it goona do imax (or my bluue ray or any af a hald dozen lap taptops. but man this was a great album. i bought it in CA and brought back to NY where this new shit blew our minds

[@artlover4668]

And somewhere Frank Black was nodding in approval!

[@duckface524]

David Thomas DEFINITELY inspired Black Frank

[@ProudFilthyCasual]

I hear David Byrne too, but he may have been first. Also strangely some Nick Cave.

[@jbaltaji5723]

The whole band was a major influencer with many crossover players

[@thesnipecatcher116]

I was at this very show and it changed my life

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

One of my favorite bands...the roughness and recklessness of the early psychedelic bands...just amazing.

[@lindawhalen1325]

Urgh! A Music war I had the cassette etc and this is the 1x I've seen this Live. I liked this band since I heard them on Rodney on the Roq in 1976. Long time I can like something. My point is I can Like/ love a lot of everything and not feel guilty.

[@tolvana]

I just watched this for the umphteenth time, and this still rocks.

[@mikedrud]

This song has everything! An outrageous, against-the-grain singer who's whacked, weird keyboard effects, jittery guitar, a female drummer and awesome, groovy bass. Could you want anything more. Certainly one of the most underrated of bands. Thanks for posting.

[@BrianKishreviews]

Such a cool, rewarding band

[@GeoH97]

Dave, I mean holy shit! He's the reason some folks are classified genius! And, that beat, beats exist to mark time and make a foundation for the rest of the music! But here the beat is like a !i ing breathing

[@GeoH97]

living breathing creature!!

[@bigaltripleseven]

one of the tightest live bands of their time

[@RichardHBlumberg]

Beyond Brilliance!!!

[@user-ys9fg4ol9s]

Unbelievably awesome

[@figjuice8957]

can’t describe how much i love this

[@SamuelPony]

Thanks for the heads up. I e-mailed David, and he replied by saying he wouldn't mind if it stayed up.

[@rickman125]

There were some videos that were posted some time ago on KZbin that showed a somewhat recent video of him, and it looked like he was performing sitting in a chair and talking about the benefits of smoking.

[@ericidle999]

l love this inspired lunacy,great footage,thanks.

[@frenchiefineart5931]

Can we spare a moment to consider Allen Ravenstine? He is, in my estimation, the greatest synth player rock and roll has heard thus far. Sure, there are some note worthy antecedents to his approach. (Eno's work in Roxy comes to mind but, his focus was more on the studio as a whole as opposed to Ravenstine's sticking with synthesizer as instrument.) Revelatory in his playing the synth like a synth instead of a glorified piano or something. Not that he could have, what with that switchboard and all. In any case, the smears and belches and hooting he coaxes from the thing are utterly mind-bending, truly delightful in their otherworldliness. As an aside, why is it that no one rates New Picnic Time? No, it's not as good as its predecessors but, nearly! I defy any of you to show me a vocal performance/lyrical conceit as deranged as One Less Worry. What the fuck is that? Ta. XO

[@billpardue3410]

Oddly, the synth player who's most similar (IMO) would be Tim Blake during Gong's "Radio Gnome Trilogy" period. Lots of atmospheric bubbling and twiddling, not so much soloing (with one or two exceptions).

[@OGBrawlerina]

Loved Urgh! Loved this song!!! Thanks for posting it!

[@jamesbelljr]

URGH!...THIS IS GREAT.

[@laterdudesaint]

and he has baffled me ever since. have some pancakes

[@Khultan]

You're so right about that, Mikedrud. I contributed the 6th thumbs up because it is deserving with merit.

[@thatmuse76]

I saw them in 2003 when David Thomas was touring as the Rocket From The Tombs reunion at the Black Cat in Washington DC. Easily one of the best concerts I have been to. Of course since Peter Laughner died in 1977, they had Richard Lloyd (aka Richard Hell) from Television filling in. The funny thing is I my only reference of that Richard Lloyd looked like was from photos in the late 70's. I was shocked when I saw him on stage and realized he was at the table next to mine before the show.

[@DeanWesterfield]

Richard Lloyd played guitar for Television. Richard Hell played bass for them before they recorded their first album. Two different people. You saw Richard Lloyd with RFtTs

[@tolvana]

Damn, what hyper intencity! More efficient than Primus, actually. This simply can not go without noticing.

[@garygomes9851]

Check out Family live with Roger Chapman circa 1969-1972. Same kind of intensity...

[@pomtiogablue]

Complete sets of these performances were filmed..if only we could see our way past our litiganous nature

[@MsCygnusX1]

Man! I almost forgot I own this CD. These guys were a mainstay on college radio long ago.

[@stoker10]

i love that man

[@dobriczoran4594]

BRILLIANT

[@daviddavis3155]

They were great, saw them 3 or 4 times, up close and personal at the Whiskey a Go Go

[@darling_danke_schoen]

He's like David Byrne in D. Boon's body! But before either of those two!

[@darling_danke_schoen]

Also: proto-James Murphy!

[@MidnightinSavannah]

handymandan100 Your comment is spot on. I was thinking the same thing about James Murphy.

[@charlescj6]

One of the most apt comments I've ever read!

[@meesalikeu]

nydmas _ oh please you can clearly see where byrne’s schtick came from right here. also, you do know thomas outright invented punk rock with rocket from the tombs prior to pere ubu, right? so longer, even more important career than byrne.

[@micahtewersofficial]

THIS IS FUCKING AWESOME. I'm bummed I JUST found them. And excited. Excitedely bummed.

[@upwardnotnorthward1408]

This blows the studio version out of the water. I would pay good money for a full video of this concert, but I'm pretty sure the footage is gone, if it ever existed

[@alongalostaway]

Id pay more

[@spudsdavenport]

You should contact Miles Copeland (Stewart's brother and manager of The Police) about any unused footage from Urrrgh a Music War. He should know, or at least know who does know.

[@Berwynvampire]

It's not hard to trace the lineage of bands like Arab on Radar back to Pere Ubu... Good stuff and the roots of a ton of true modern underground music.

[@chadfrahm5344]

Go Pere.

[@hobbsk]

yes!!!!!

[@markbyers1651]

in the early 70s dave Thomas was a writer for a magazine called the scene here in Cleveland . called himself crocus behemoth

[@jackgrattan1447]

Mark Byers So was Peter Laughner.

[@Dillinger86]

i never heard of this band WOW bad ass

[@SamuelPony]

Don't worry at all. They are both great bands, and Nick Cave is still making some fantastic records. Dig into Pere Ubu/Rocket From The Tombs and you will be pleasantly surprised.

[@earinsound]

the earliest incarnation of UBU i can find online. mayo thompson from Red Krayola on guitar!

[@bigbadchang]

Oh my god I love this song!

[@bodensick]

David Thomas and Pere Ubu...too fucking cool.

[@haupper]

Crocus Behemoth at his absolute peak!

[@bobasquid3339]

This guy is my hero.

[@tolvana]

This is so perverted, I simply have to watch it over and over again.

[@ElDreamMachine]

Love it too :) Long live Père Ubu !

[@adrianlackey5107]

You just know Danny Elfman was listening to this shit, and deep into it.

[@ultramouse]

Elfman and Oingo Boingo are in this movie too

[@TobeUK]

those people shouting 'Devo!devo!" at the end of that clip? another great band from the era...

[@mhofkp]

if you love this, you'll love james chance and the contortions...pure no wave goodness

[@nimbusthenoodle]

Awesome! A real treat! Fanx very muchos!

[@maaya111mk]

great to see! thanx for posting. i guess we need some more:D

[@spurtfather]

I'm going I'm going, and I'm not falling down anymore!! BOING

[@MoldPrince]

I really hope they keep this video up this time. I need my vintage ubu...considering I wasn't alive when this was filmed.

[@user-ys9fg4ol9s]

My band from 1994 to 1998 ( we were called Third Grade Teacher) were heavily influenced by both Pere Ubu and The Pixies, especially in the early years . I don't think any of us really knew how much Pere Ubu rubbed off on us. Unbelievable performance and sound...

[@jpjpjp6328]

I remember you guys from Flipside. Always been curious to hear what you sounded like as you had some good live reviews.

[@user-ys9fg4ol9s]

@@jpjpjp6328 wow Flipside! ( it took me a few to remember).

[@WheresPoochie]

This documentary needs to be re-released ASAP.

[@renderizer01]

Will probably never happen. Seems that all the issues with publishing rights etc. got even more complicated as the years progressed. There was a petition a couple of years ago asking to have the film re-released but it amounted to nothing. Miles Copeland - brother of The Police's Stewart Copeland and their manager, who was also behind the documentary - said that it's extremely unlikely that it will ever again see the light of day. Not officially. Too messy of an affair. I still have the original VHS but it's unwatchable by now. Has been for more than thirty years. But about fourteen or fifteen years ago I found a really good digitised version of the film, taken from a remarkably clean source, encoded as a full NTSC-resolution AVI in Xvid format (those were the days). It's the full monty, too. I keep it hidden on a dedicated harddrive in an air-conditioned, bomb-proof underground vault in an unnamed, sparsely populated part of the world, guarded by booby traps... ;O)

[@memawacademy]

Warner re-released it on DVD a few years back, and it appears to still be in print. It's got all the performances except Splodgenessabounds. I got my copy directly from Warner when it came out, but it looks like you can still get it online for under $20.

[@spudsdavenport]

I picked up a DVD copy a couple years ago. Either at Amoeba before they moved their Hollywood store, or at an independent with strong ties to Rhino or Shout! Records. It's out there, you just have to look for it.

[@ricardodsavant2965]

dig the bass...👽

[@Bengbusen]

haha great stuff!

[@tschak909]

did nobody notice the last half second? "I'm goin....somewhere...." "I'm goinmover there..." LOLZ!

[@cosmicgeorges]

Love it, love him !..

[@bent2]

They are in fact VERY inspired by Captain Beefheart and also Can. David Thomas first solo album is very Beefheart sounding.

[@artlover1477]

Man, the Cleveland area spawned some great bands in the mid-late 70s; Pere Ube, Rubber City Rebels, Thr Dead Boys and yes Devo!

[@earinsound]

@mikedrud that's along-haired dude named Scott Krauss, not a woman. yes, pere ubu were great back then....and certainly never underrated.

[@Jacksmusicshack]

What untapped energy..

[@slowbuildings]

Too bad there's no video available of these guys in the 70's with Tom Herman. That's when they were brilliant.

[@theghostsofgiants]

David kinda looks like Otho from Beetle Juice. Awesome.

[@runner99]

Sometime before I die would be nice! Damn, any day now!

[@tamersertoglu3496]

Long live dave!!

[@mikedrud]

Ah, didn't see enough of "him". Oh well, still very cool video.

[@matteocoda6368]

They are more menancing than almost every hardcore band I've come across

[@SamuelPony]

You may consider that Pere Ubu was around for a number of years before The Birthday Party made records.

[@Thermalfiredotcom]

If i was drinking milk while reading your comment it would have explosively exited through my nostrils! Good eye man!

[@wcsxwcsx]

The fastest three minutes in rock music. Or the slowest.

[@SamuelPony]

@momominnosh You are so very welcome. I love it too.

[@vonbontee]

@maxmagnum74 No, sorry, not a theremin. It's a synthesizer, an EML 500 I believe.

[@hobbsk]

punk fuckin rock! love this band

[@Misterioso]

Fuck yeah. Dave Thomas doesn't give a shit.

[@Raw420Films]

I believe this was performed and shot at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood....

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

Probably the closest thing to Beefheart after Beefheart, I think. Unique.

[@fuzzydunlop4513]

Throw The Pop Group in there

[@faustustuus3747]

@@fuzzydunlop4513 Well they were contemporaries but yeah

[@PaulPadoan]

CB listen to Pere Ubu in concert and enjoyed it very much. Heard it on a interview a few years back.

[@creekandseminole]

The Modern Dance and Dub Housing are such awesome American Post-Punk albums.

[@creekandseminole]

***** lol I felt really old when I read that. I'm no granddad yet lol

[@creekandseminole]

***** Word.

[@punkpoetry]

+creekandseminole New Picnic Time is even better

[@creekandseminole]

punkpoetry I'll give it a listen!

[@isherrod13]

yes,you are spot on!