Where Are They Now; from The Rocket
#73 October 1985
U-Men
Just after they were the subject of a Rocket cover story by Dawn Anderson, the U-Men played what may have been their worst show ever opening for HŸsker DŸ at the UW Hub. "We were masters of getting the big break and then screwing it up," guitarist Tom Price explained in a 1994 interview. "We didn't respond well to pressure." One day in 1988, Tom showed up for practice to be greeted by an empty room. This happened three times in a row before he finally accepted that the U-Men had broken up. Tom later found his bliss as guitarist for Gas Huffer and also plays in Bottle of Smoke with former U-Men drummer Charlie Ryan. That band is currently on tour with L7. Tom also plays in the legendary Monkeywrench with Steve Turner, Mark Arm, Martin Bland and Tim Kerr. The Monkeywrench will soon enter the studio to record an LP for Estrus Records. Michael Stein of Chuckie Boy Records, the label responsible for the recent Heats, Cowboys and Lewd re-releases, is attempting to collect all the band's recordings for a "complete U-Men" CD, and the band members seem open to the idea. Let's hope they get it together. Our sons and daughters need to hear this incredible band. --Dawn Anderson
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