Butthole Surfers

What happens when a group of experimental rock enthusiasts come together and form a band named Butthole Surfers? They create unique and mind-blowing soundscapes that range from psychedelic to punk rock with a hint of insanity thrown into the mix. Butthole Surfers were formed in 1981 in San Antonio, Texas, and went on to become one of the most notorious and beloved experimental rock bands of their time.

Their live performance shows were unpredictable and wild with elements of nudity, fire, destruction, blood, and gut-wrenching music, making them a must-see for those who were a fan of weird and experimental music at the time.

About Butthole Surfers

The band was founded by two members, Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary. Haynes and Leary met each other while studying at Trinity University in the late 70s. Haynes was known as the school's "Accountant of the Year," while Leary was pursuing his MBA. By 1981, Haynes lost his job for printing Strange V.D., a medical photo zine, using work photocopiers. It was then when Haynes and Leary decided to sell Lee Harvey Oswald t-shirts and start a band.

Their debut shows under a different name for each performance, which included extravagant and absurd titles like “Nine Foot Worm Makes Own Food” and “The Inalienable Right to Eat Fred Astaire’s Asshole.” One day, the announcer forgot their name and instead announced them as Butthole Surfers, the title of one of their songs. They liked it and decided to stick with it.

Soon after their formation, Butthole Surfers was discovered by Jello Biafra, who was the lead singer of Dead Kennedys. In time, the band began recording for Biafra, which helped them widen their fan base. Their ridiculous and insane live shows soon grew into a cult following, and many were ecstatic to see them perform. Their shows included nudity, strobe lights, tearing stuffed animals apart, and films of bloody operations.

In 1991, Butthole Surfers gained huge recognition when they signed to Capitol Records. In 1996, they released their most popular single to date, "Pepper," which peaked at number one on the Modern Rock chart. Two years later, Capitol Records dropped them and scrapped an entire completed album that never saw the light of the day.

The band has not recorded anything since Weird Revolution; a partial re-recording of After the Astronaut in 2001, but fans continue to anticipate a creative return. Their last tour was in 2011, and they have been relatively silent since.

Butthole Surfers were a frenetic ball of energy that found their niche in the world of experimental rock music. Their unpredictable and wild performances have inspired an entire generation of musicians in their wake. Even though the band is no longer active, their music continues to live on, inspiring new generations to explore and experiment with sound and music.