Seattle's Garage Rock Supergroup: The Tom Price Desert Classic
Photo by Niffer Calderwood
Keeping it Loud, Sloppy, and Swampy: The Tom Price Desert Classic Way
When it comes to describing The Tom Price Desert Classic’s sound, singer and guitarist Tom Price puts it best: "We like to keep it kind of loud and sloppy. We don’t practice very often. I guess it’s sort of a swampy sound, but whatever." It's raw, unapologetic but most of all, it rocks!
With over 4 decades of experience in multiple bands, the members know how to write a catchy song and make heads bob when they play.
The Music: From Vinyl to Digital (Eventually)
TPDC’s discography kicks off with a rare gem of a 7" single featuring "She Ran" and "Helldive to Victory." Good luck finding it—it sold out ages ago. In 2014, they cranked up the amps for their album HELL, (out of stock as of this writing) on vinyl through Sub Pop mail order. Digital listeners, hang tight—it’ll show up online someday. Probably.
Fun fact:
Tim Earll, our resident designer and curator, was involved with the cover design for the Lp, HELL. "Basically I took Tom's concept which was already pretty fleshed out and made it a reality by improving the image quality and preparing the files for the record pressing plant. Oh and I also designed the 'Von Bismarck' logo for Tom's record label." -Tim Earll
The band has lofty aspirations of releasing a few more singles and maybe another album before, in their words, "giving up the ghost." They’re not in a rush, though. Let’s just say TPDC operates on what you might call "Seattle Time."
Live Shows: The Dive Bar Tour (of Seattle)
Don’t expect to catch TPDC on a whirlwind world tour anytime soon. "We don’t have the means to tour," Price admits. "I’m sorry, we’ll probably never make it to your hometown, but if you’re ever anywhere near Seattle, look for us—we’ll probably be playing a dive bar somewhere."
It’s a modest arrangement but they make it work, delivering blistering sets to local crowds who know how to appreciate an experienced, loud, and delightfully unpolished sound.
Photo by Neal Rogers
The Bigger Picture (Sort Of)
Despite their limited geographic range TPDC sees themselves as part of a global mission—though they’re not entirely sure what that mission is. "It’s important for humans to continue making hard-edged music on real instruments," Price says, with the conviction of someone who might have written it on a napkin at a bar.
For those who feel similarly compelled to keep raw rock music alive—or as Price calls it, "this problem"—TPDC offers a salty salute at high decibels.
So if you’re ever in Seattle and hear the distant rumble of rock 'n' roll, follow the sound. Chances are The Tom Price Desert Classic is bringing their loud, swampy charm to a dive bar near you.
A Veritable Who's Who of... Who?
While the band's members may not be household names, those in-the-know will instantly recognize these players and their contribution to Seattle music and beyond.
Members:
Tom Price U-Men, Gas Huffer, Monkeywrench, Kings Of Rock, Cat Butt, The Del Lagunas
Martin Bland Bloodloss, Monkeywrench, Bush Pig, Lubricated Goat
Don Blackstone Gas Huffer, The Del Lagunas, Hai Karate, Kings Of Rock
Joe Kilbourne The Earaches
Paper Kite design has taken the cover art from the album 'Hell" and reimagined it as band merch that is available on mens and womens t-shirts and hoodies as well as some great looking coffee mugs.
