TSOL

This article is about the punk band. For the metro system of Lausanne, see Metro of Lausanne

T.S.O.L. is a punk/deathrock band from California. TSOL is short for True Sounds of Liberty, but they are only rarely referred to by their full name.

Contents

1 Biography
2 Influence
3 Line-up
4 Former Members
5 Discography
6 External links
7 See also

Biography

The band started in 1979, hailing from Huntington Beach. They originated as a hardcore punk band, and donned an all black attire and make up in order to stand out from the crowded California punk scene. TSOL has always been a band to change both their sound and their members. Their first releases are very similar to the highly political punk of the late 70s, but in 1981 with the release of "Dance With Me", they moved toward what would today be considered near gothic in themes. From songs about necrophilia to being a secret agent with a guilty conscience, the release is arguably the best the band has put out. Afterwards, they moved more toward the New Wave movement, and then to glam rock. Due to drug use and other things, TSOL saw a continuous influx of band mates, even at one time featuring not one original band member. The band reunited following the death of drummer Todd Barnes, and has released the CDs "Disappear," "Divided We Stand," and "Who's Screwing Who?" since then.

Influence

Their music was featured in the 1984 movie Suburbia, the 1985 version of Return of the Living Dead and Dangerously Close in 1986. Though punk legends, they have drifted into near obscurity, living currently as an independent band under the Nitro banner, which ironically was started by Offspring vocalist Dexter Holland, whom TSOL influenced so greatly. Their influence is also felt in the works of bands like Alkaline Trio and AFI.

Line-up

Jack Grisham: Vocals
Ron Emory: Guitar
Mike Roche: Bass Guitar
Billy Blaze: Drums
Greg Kuehn: Piano and Synths

Former Members

Todd Barnes: Drums (Died on December 6, 1999)
Joe Wood: Vocals, Guitar
Mitch Dean: Guitar
Marshall Rohner: Guitars
Jay O'Brien: Drums
Travis Johnson: Drums

Discography

Who's Screwin' Who? (2005) (Anarchy Records)
Divided We Stand (2003) (Nitro Records)
Disappear (2001) (Nitro Records)
Anticop (2001) (Nitro Records)
Live 91 (1991) (Triple X)
Strange Love (TSOL album) (1990) (Enigma Records)
T.S.O.L. - Man & Machine / Peace Through Power (1990)
Thoughts of Yesterday 1981-1982 (1988) (RHINO RECORDS)
Hit and Run (1987) (Enigma Records)
Revenge (1986) (Enigma Records)
Change Today? (1984) (Enigma Records)
Beneath The Shadows (1982) (Alternative Tentacles)
Weathered Statues (1982) (Alternative Tentacles)
Dance With Me (1981) (Frontier)
TSOL EP (1981) (Posh Boy)
Bootleg T.S.O.L. - 1980 Demo (45) (1980)