Rocket From the Tombs

Formed in Cleveland OH in the summer of 1974, Rocket From The Tombs existed for less than a year, never released a record, played fewer than a dozen shows, and was heard and/or seen by no more than a few hundred people. 

One of those few was Television guitarist Richard Lloyd. “Rocket opened for us in Cleveland,” he said. “We were walking around after soundcheck saying, ‘That’s one scary group!’ And I was saying to myself, ‘I want to be in that band.’” 

Rocket From The Tombs blew apart in August 1975. David Thomas and Peter Laughner went on to form Pere Ubu.

There were bootlegs of them floating around for years until they got an official release. The recording is shit, but this is some seriously cool music. I can definitely hear the influence on Television’s guitar. Their riffs are HUGE. It’s dirty, raw, and really fucking awesome. Take a listen.