Interview - Tuxedomoon

Tuxedomoon is an experimental Post-punk/New Wave group formed in San Francisco, California consisting of core members Blaine L. Reininger, Steven Brown and Peter Principle.

Formed in 1977 by multi-instrumentalists Blaine L. Reininger and Steven Brown, then two students of electronic music at San Francisco City College, with technical assistance from video artist Tommy Tadlock, Tuxedomoon started playing salons and accompanying performances by Angels of Light. Brown's connections to local theatre gave the band access to vocalists Gregory Cruikshank, Victoria Lowe, and, most frequently, Winston Tong, the latter bringing along filmmaker and performance artist Bruce Geduldig who, in an unusual capacity for a band member, took care of the band's visuals, both live and on video. The band gained some level of recognition in 1978 when they opened for Devo. Michael Belfer, (guitarist), and Paul Zahl, (drummer) joined the band in time to help with the group's first EP, No Tears (ironically, given that this was the only time the band used a live drummer, "No Tears (For the Creatures of the Night)" became a perennial club hit thereafter, prompting many requests over the years for this song during live concerts -- rarely acquiesced.) Lowe left prior to the album's release in 1978. Soon afterward, Tong and Belfer left the group temporarily, and bassist Peter Principle joined the lineup. In 1979, the group signed to The Residents' Ralph Records, with whom they recorded their next two albums, Half Mute and Desire, (which was recorded in England with Gareth Jones.) In late 1980 the band relocated to Rotterdam for a short time and then moved on to Brussels, believing their sound better fit the electronic scene in Europe.