Band Pages - Doc Tahri

The philosophy of Doc Tahri could be described as “Talented people creating a manic blend of silliness, sarcasm, social commentary and blatant insanity” (quoted from Music Connection) Entertaining audiences with eclectic performances in the vein of Frank Zappa and P-Funk, complete with costume changes, their shows have attracted quest appearances from such diverse notables as Johnny Lydon and Thomas Dolby. Dolby was so impressed by the performance of Doc Tahri that he secured the band as the opening act on his “Aliens Ate My Buick” tour. During this time Doc Tahri released two albums (“Trenite” and “The Search For Corn”). Doc Tahri has proven to be a major league farm club of talent as well. Jennifer Batten took a hiatus from the band to tour with Michael Jackson (“Bad” & “Dangerous” tours, as well as the newest European tour from the “Hisstory” album). Batten is a proven and desired session player for major recording artists, besides having her own side-project called “The Immigrants”. Former keyboard player Jamie Muhoberac was with Was Not Was and Seal. Band leader Bret Helm (formerly of PIL) free-lanced as a producer/session player with the likes of Ivan Neville, Stevie Salas and Thumpasaurus.

“This nails-to-the-chalkboard unit flexes those muscles that haven’t even been moved in a long time” - L.A. Weekly. This quote accurately portrays this Doc Tahri release, where they transfuse their strong funk flavor of earlier recordings with their new heavier alternative sound. With the collaboration of Bret Helm and Jennifer Batten, the goal of this record was to be sonically aggressive while having both humorous and socially relevant lyrics. They incorporate grungy power trio pyrotechnics on “There Was A Time” and the funky “Life’s Little Questionnaire”, techno sensibilities akin to a collection of clippings left on the editing room floor after a Meat Beat Manifesto recording session on “Birth Of A Concept”, and some insightful alternative musing reminiscent of Sylvian/Fripp on “Desperate Moments”. Licensed from Bret Helm’s own “Cash Only Records”.