Tad

The Profile

Tad are an American grunge band from Seattle, formed in 1988 by singer/guitarist Tad Doyle. Early Sub Pop fixtures with brutally heavy records (God’s Balls, Salt Lick, 8-Way Santa), they later moved to a major for Inhaler (produced by J Mascis) and returned to Endino for Infrared Riding Hood. Known for colossal riffs, dark humor, and a proudly unglamorous image, they disbanded in 1999.

Formed in Seattle (1988) by Tad Doyle; Sub Pop alumni alongside Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and Melvins; worked with Jack Endino, Steve Albini, Butch Vig and J Mascis; toured with Nirvana; MTV declined to air videos; faced a Pepsi-related legal dispute over “Jack Pepsi”; disbanded in 1999.

DeBaser’s reviews paint Tad as one of Seattle’s heaviest grunge outfits: flannel, chainsaws, and bulldozer riffs. Early Sub Pop releases like God’s Balls, Salt Lick and 8-Way Santa get praise for raw power; Inhaler and Infrared Riding Hood show their major-label turns and fate. Producers Endino, Albini, Vig and J Mascis loom large. Verdict: underrated, loud, and proudly unpretty.