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If you’re looking for some reissues for the hardcore Seattle fan in your life, Sub Pop Records has recently released the early discography of the group Tad.

Named for singer/guitarist Tad Doyle, Tad were one of Sub Pop’s first artists, and while their music sounded less punk and more metal (think Alice in Chains without quite as many hooks), they were a crucial force for the label. They opened for Nirvana on a European tour, and shared many of their studio collaborators (Jack Endino produced debut album God’s Balls (1989), Steve Albini oversaw the 1990 EP Salt Lick and Butch Vig produced 8-Way Santa, their final album for the label in 1991).

While the band found themselves in legal trouble twice over cover art (once for copyright infringement on the Pepsi logo, and once for using a found photo of an anonymous couple who sued upon discovery), they pressed on during the grunge explosion of the ’90s. Doyle even appeared briefly in Cameron Crowe’s Singles (that’s him about 30 seconds into that trailer). But two major label efforts (one in 1993 with Giant and another in 1995 with EastWest/Elektra) ended in failure, and by the end of the decade the group broke up. Doyle continued to perform in Seattle, most recently as the leader of Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, who invited original Tad guitarist Gary Thorstensen to play with them at Sub Pop’s 25th anniversary show in 2013.

The Tad catalogue on Sub Pop–God’s Balls, Salt Lick and 8-Way Santa–has all been remastered by Jack Endino, with bonus tracks aplenty on each CD (and digital download with every LP). Most are derived from singles and compilations, while an early version of God’s Balls-era track “Tuna Car” and four 8-Way Santa demos are previously unreleased. Those who purchase all three LPs from Sub Pop receive colored vinyl editions (clear with orange for God’s Balls, opaque yellow with red for Salt Lick, and “Pepto” pink with blue for 8-Way Santa), plus a bonus LP collecting all 14 bonus tracks.

God’s Balls: Deluxe Edition (Sub Pop SP-1177, 2016)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1. Behemoth
2. Pork Chop
3. Helot
4. Tuna Car
5. Sex God Missy (Lumberjack Mix)
6. Cyanide Bath
7. Boiler Room
8. Satan’s Chainsaw
9. Hollow Man
10. Nipple Belt
11. Ritual Device
12. Daisy
13. Tuna Car (First Version)

Tracks 1-11 from Sub Pop SP-27, 1989
Tracks 12-13 from Sub Pop single SP-19, 1988
Track 14 previously unreleased

Salt Lick: Deluxe Edition (Sub Pop SP-1178, 2016)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1. Axe to Grind
2. High on the Hog
3. Wood Goblins
4. Hibernation
5. Glue Machine
6. Potlatch
7. Loser
8. Cooking with Gas
9. Habit & Necessity
10. Damaged

Tracks 1-6 from Sub Pop SP-49, 1990
Tracks 7-8 from Sub Pop single SP-55, 1990
Track 9 from Dope-Guns-‘N-Fucking in the Streets Volume Three (Amphetamine Reptile SCALE 18, 1989)
Track 10 from Sub Pop split single with Pussy Galore – SP-37, 1989

8-Way Santa: Deluxe Edition (Sub Pop SP-1179, 2016)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1. Jinx
2. Giant Killer
3. Wired God
4. Delinquent
5. Hedge Hog
6. Flame Tavern
7. Trash Truck
8. Stumblin’ Man
9. Jack
10. Candi
11. 3-D Witch Hunt
12. Crane’s Cafe
13. Plague Years
14. Pig Iron
15. Nuts ‘N’ Bolts
16. Delinquent (Demo)
17. Giant Killer (Demo)
18. Wired God (Demo)
19. 3-D Witch Hunt (Demo)
20. Eddie Hook

Tracks 1-13 from Sub Pop SP-89, 1991
Track 14 from “Jinx” single – Sub Pop SP-80, 1990
Tracks 15 and 20 from Jack Pepsi EP – Sub Pop SP-99, 1990
Tracks 16-19 previously unreleased