Meat Puppets
Formed in Tempe, Arizona, USA, Curt Kirkwood (guitar/vocals), Cris Kirkwood (bass/vocals) and Derrick Bostrom (drums) released their debut on the influential hardcore label SST Records, MEAT PUPPETS I, in 1983. Its blend of punk and country was captured to perfection on Tumblin Tumbleweeds a long-standing cowboy classic, but any seeming irreverence was denied by MEAT PUPPETS II, which continued their affection for roots music. Two critically-acclaimed sets, UP ON THE SUN and MIRAGE, signalled a new direction as the trio flirted with pseudo-psychedelic melodies, whereas HUEVOS captured the no-frills punch of their in-concert appearances. These disparate elements were fused on the excellent MONSTERS, which combined memorable hook-lines with authoritative, hard rock riffs. The set was rightly lauded as one of 1989's leading independent releases, but it was not until 1991 that the trio re-emerged, signed to the London label.