Complete List Of Pere Ubu Albums And Songs

Feature Photo: Sonictruth, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pere Ubu was formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975. The band was a pivotal force in the development of the punk and post-punk genres, renowned for their avant-garde approach to rock music, combining complex, abstract soundscapes with punk’s energy. The band’s name is derived from the protagonist of Alfred Jarry’s play Ubu Roi, reflecting their inclination towards the absurd and the unconventional.

Since their formation, Pere Ubu has released over fifteen studio albums, starting with their seminal 1978 debut The Modern Dance. This album, along with its follow-up, Dub Housing (released the same year), is often cited as foundational in the post-punk movement. Over the decades, the band has maintained a prolific output, with recent albums including 20 Years in a Montana Missile Silo (2017) and The Long Goodbye (2019). Besides studio albums, Pere Ubu has released several live albums and numerous compilations, contributing to an extensive discography that has been influential in alternative music circles. Their approach to music has consistently been characterized by a blend of rock, electronics, and avant-garde techniques, with lyrics that often veer into surrealism.

Pere Ubu has not achieved significant mainstream success or major music awards, reflecting their position as a cult band within the music industry. However, their influence on the development of alternative, indie, and experimental rock is widely recognized. The band’s lineup has seen various changes over the years, with lead vocalist David Thomas being the only constant member. This lineup fluctuation has contributed to the band’s evolving sound but maintained a core dedication to artistic innovation and integrity.

PERE UBU STUDIO ALBUMS

The Modern Dance

Released: 1978

The Modern Dance is the debut album by Pere Ubu, a band known for its experimental approach to rock music. This album is considered a pioneering work in the development of the post-punk genre, featuring a blend of punk rock energy and avant-garde complexity. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio in Painesville, Ohio, and produced by Ken Hamann and Pere Ubu, the album’s sound is characterized by its innovative use of synthesizers and unconventional song structures.

CD Track Listings:

“Non-Alignment Pact” – 3:18
“The Modern Dance” – 3:28
“Laughing” – 4:35
“Street Waves” – 3:04
“Chinese Radiation” – 3:28
“Life Stinks” – 1:53
“Real World” – 3:59
“Over My Head” – 3:49
“Sentimental Journey” – 6:05
“Humor Me” – 2:44

Dub Housing

Released: 1978

Released the same year as their debut, Dub Housing is often regarded as one of Pere Ubu’s most influential records, diving deeper into the realms of experimental rock. The album’s production, by Ken Hamann and Pere Ubu, emphasizes texture and atmosphere, creating a dark and surreal sound landscape.

CD Track Listings:

“Navvy” – 2:40
“On the Surface” – 2:35
“Dub Housing” – 3:40
“Caligari’s Mirror” – 3:49
“Thriller!” – 4:36
“I, Will Wait” – 1:45
“Drinking Wine Spodyody” – 2:44
“(Pa) Ubu Dance Party” – 4:46
“Blow Daddy-O” – 3:38
“Codex” – 4:55

New Picnic Time

Released: 1979

New Picnic Time continues Pere Ubu’s exploration into the avant-garde, marked by an even greater departure from traditional rock structures. This album showcases a mix of abrasive guitar work, abstract lyrical content, and complex rhythmic patterns, reflecting the band’s maturing experimental sound. Produced by Ken Hamann and Pere Ubu, and recorded at Suma Recording Studio, New Picnic Time was not a commercial success but is highly regarded in underground music circles.

CD Track Listings:

“The Fabulous Sequel” – 3:07
“49 Guitars & One Girl” – 2:51
“A Small Dark Cloud” – 5:49
“Small Was Fast” – 3:30
“All the Dogs Are Barking” – 3:03
“One Less Worry” – 3:45
“Make Hay” – 4:04
“Goodbye” – 5:16
“Voice of the Sand” – 1:28
“Kingdom Come” – 3:15

The Art of Walking

Released: 1980

The Art of Walking sees Pere Ubu delving into even more experimental territory, with a greater emphasis on improvisation and noise elements. The album features a mix of spoken word, unconventional song structures, and a broader palette of electronic sounds. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio and produced by Ken Hamann and Pere Ubu, this album continued the band’s trend of not charting but was praised for its bold artistic vision.

CD Track Listings:

“Go” – 3:34
“Rhapsody in Pink” – 3:35
“Arabia” – 4:57
“Young Miles in the Basement” – 4:20
“Misery Goats” – 2:37
“Loop” – 3:14
“Rounder” – 3:25
“Birdies” – 2:27
“Lost in Art” – 5:12
“Horses” – 2:34
“Crush This Horn” – 3:00

Song of the Bailing Man

Released: 1982

Song of the Bailing Man closes another chapter in Pere Ubu’s exploration of the edges of rock music, incorporating jazz influences and an even more fragmented approach to composition. The album was produced by Adam Kidron and recorded at Suma Recording Studio. Like their previous works, it did not achieve commercial success but is recognized for its creative ambition and complexity.

CD Track Listings:

“The Long Walk Home” – 2:34
“Use of a Dog” – 3:17
“Petrified” – 2:16
“Stormy Weather” – 3:20
“West Side Story” – 2:46
“Thoughts That Go by Steam” – 3:47
“Big Ed’s Used Farms” – 2:24
“A Day Such as This” – 7:17
“The Vulgar Boatman Bird” – 2:48
“My Hat” – 1:19
“Horns Are a Dilemma” – 4:20

The Tenement Year

Released: 1988

The Tenement Year marks Pere Ubu’s return after a hiatus, showcasing a renewed and somewhat more accessible sound while maintaining their experimental roots. This album blends their traditional avant-garde style with more melodic pop elements. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio in Painesville, Ohio, and produced by Paul Hamann and the band.

CD Track Listings:

“Something’s Gotta Give” – 3:19
“George Had a Hat” – 3:28
“Talk to Me” – 3:49
“Busman’s Honeymoon” – 3:51
“Say Goodbye” – 4:36
“Universal Vibration” – 3:07
“Miss You” – 3:33
“Dream the Moon” – 3:51
“Rhythm King” – 3:18
“The Hollow Earth” – 3:39
“We Have the Technology” – 3:08

Cloudland

Released: 1989

Cloudland is a departure towards a more mainstream sound for Pere Ubu, featuring catchy hooks and cleaner production, which made it their most accessible album at that time. The band worked with producer Stephen Hague, who helped craft a sound that straddled the line between their avant-garde roots and alternative rock. Recorded at various studios including The Strongroom in London and The Wool Hall in Bath, Cloudland achieved mild commercial success, with singles like “Waiting for Mary” receiving some airplay.

CD Track Listings:

“Breathe” – 3:51
“Race the Sun” – 3:24
“Cry” – 2:39
“Why Go It Alone?” – 3:49
“Waiting for Mary” – 3:39
“Ice Cream Truck” – 3:05
“Bus Called Happiness” – 3:48
“Love Love Love” – 3:54
“Lost Nation Road” – 3:25
“Nevada!” – 3:30
“Flat” – 2:58
“The Waltz” – 3:20

Worlds in Collision

Released: 1991

Worlds in Collision continues the more accessible trend set by Cloudland, with a focus on melodic content and structured songwriting. This album features a mix of driving rhythms and catchy melodies, aiming for a broader audience while keeping their experimental edge. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio and produced by Gil Norton, known for his work with bands like Pixies, this album saw a modest entry on the Billboard charts.

CD Track Listings:

“Oh Catherine” – 2:54
“I Hear They Smoke the BBQ” – 4:08
“Turpentine!” – 2:44
“Goodnite Irene” – 3:41
“Mirror Man” – 2:56
“Cry Cry Cry” – 2:54
“Worlds in Collision” – 2:41
“Life of Riley” – 3:17
“Over the Moon” – 2:31
“Don’t Look Back” – 3:34
“Playback” – 2:28
“Nobody Knows” – 3:31

Story of My Life

Released: 1993

Story of My Life sees Pere Ubu returning to a slightly more experimental and gritty sound, incorporating diverse influences ranging from blues to folk while maintaining the avant-garde edge. The album was recorded at various studios and produced by Al Clay.

CD Track Listings:

“Wasted” – 3:58
“Come Home” – 2:43
“Louisiana Train Wreck” – 3:17
“Wine Dark Sparks” – 3:06
“Fedora Satellite II” – 2:38
“Heartbreak Garage” – 4:32
“Electricity” – 2:33
“Sleep Walk” – 3:21
“Memphis” – 3:16
“Three Things” – 4:13
“Horse” – 3:31
“Don’t Look Back” – 2:34

Ray Gun Suitcase

Released: 1995

Ray Gun Suitcase revisits the darker, more surreal aspects of Pere Ubu’s sound, blending rock with abstract and atmospheric elements. The production, by David Thomas and the band, focuses on creating a dense, textured sound that mirrors the complexities of urban life. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio, it did not chart but won the album of the year in the 1995 Rolling Stone critics poll.

CD Track Listings:

“Folly of Youth” – 4:22
“Electricity” – 3:32
“Beach Boys” – 4:06
“Turquoise Fins” – 2:12
“Vacuum in My Head” – 4:18
“Memphis” – 4:04
“Three Things” – 5:14
“Horse” – 4:35
“Don’t Look Back” – 3:48
“Ray Gun Suitcase” – 3:52

Pennsylvania

Released: 1998

Pennsylvania features a synthesis of organic and electronic sounds, showcasing Pere Ubu’s ability to fuse traditional rock with experimental music. This album continues to explore themes of American landscapes and urban decay.

CD Track Listings:

“Woolie Bullie” – 3:40
“Highwaterville” – 3:15
“SAD.TXT” – 3:09
“Urban Lifestyle” – 3:04
“Silent Spring” – 4:03
“Mr. Wheeler” – 2:56
“Muddy Waters” – 3:45
“Drive” – 4:35
“Indiangiver” – 3:08
“Monday Morning” – 2:49
“Perfume” – 4:09

St. Arkansas

Released: 2002

St. Arkansas delivers Pere Ubu’s unique take on Americana, weaving narrative lyrics with a gritty, industrial sound. This album delves into the heart of American culture, using a blend of rock and experimental music to explore its themes.

CD Track Listings:

“The Fevered Dream of Hernando DeSoto” – 4:52
“Slow Walking Daddy” – 4:04
“Michele” – 3:18
“333” – 3:33
“Hell” – 3:37
“Lisbon” – 4:05
“Steve” – 4:06
“Phone Home Jonah” – 3:13
“Where’s the Truth” – 4:17

Why I Hate Women

Released: 2006

Why I Hate Women is an album by Pere Ubu that dives deep into noir themes, blending their signature experimental rock with narrative elements that explore complex and dark interpersonal relationships. The album’s sound is dense and atmospheric, crafted to complement the storytelling. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio and produced by David Thomas, the album did not chart on the Billboard 200 but was critically acclaimed for its ambitious narrative approach and intricate soundscapes.

CD Track Listings:

“Two Girls (One Bar)” – 3:43
“Babylonian Warehouses” – 5:24
“Blue Velvet” – 3:05
“Caroleen” – 3:26
“Flames Over Nebraska” – 3:50
“Love Song” – 4:37
“Mona” – 4:24
“My Boyfriend’s Back” – 2:13
“Stolen Cadillac” – 4:16
“Synth Farm” – 4:21

Long Live Père Ubu!

Released: 2009, featuring Sarah Jane Morris

Long Live Père Ubu! is a concept album featuring Sarah Jane Morris, based on the absurdist play Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry. This project blends theatre with rock, resulting in a highly experimental sound that narrates the story through the music. The album features a mix of spoken word, dramatic narratives, and Pere Ubu’s distinctive avant-garde rock. Produced by David Thomas and recorded at various locations, it further established the band’s reputation for pushing artistic boundaries.

CD Track Listings:

“Ubu Overture” – 3:48
“Song of the Grocery Police” – 2:33
“Banquet of the Butchers” – 3:54
“March of Greed” – 4:22
“Less Said the Better” – 3:19
“Big Sombrero (March of the Intolerants)” – 3:36
“Bring Me the Head” – 4:27
“Slowly I Turn” – 4:47
“Drive the King of Bohemia” – 3:05
“Snowy Livonia (Less Said the Better)” – 3:15
“You Will Be Damned” – 3:50

Lady from Shanghai

Released: 2013

Lady from Shanghai is an album that marks Pere Ubu’s return to some of their more abrasive and experimental roots, incorporating electronic elements and unpredictable song structures. This album challenges conventional rock norms and features a mixture of dance rhythms with their signature avant-garde approach.

CD Track Listings:

“Thanks” – 3:51
“Free White” – 4:24
“Feuksley Ma’am, The Hearing” – 3:49
“Mandy” – 4:36
“And Then Nothing Happened” – 4:11
“Musicians Are Scum” – 3:28
“Another One (Oh Maybellene)” – 3:48
“The Road Trip of Bipasha Ahmed” – 3:25
“Lampshade Man” – 4:09
“414 Seconds” – 6:54
“The Carpenter Sun” – 3:28

Carnival of Souls

Released: 2014

Carnival of Souls is inspired by the 1962 horror film of the same name. The album is imbued with an eerie, cinematic quality that explores themes of alienation and the supernatural. This work is a continuation of Pere Ubu’s exploration into blending storytelling with avant-garde music, using a variety of unconventional instruments and sound effects.

CD Track Listings:

“Golden Surf II” – 2:44
“Drag the River” – 4:06
“Irene” – 4:14
“Road to Utah” – 3:52
“Carnival” – 5:03
“Irene” (Reprise) – 1:04
“Brother Ray” – 6:39
“Insane” – 3:37
“Bus Station” – 6:37
“Unstoppable” – 3:33

20 Years in a Montana Missile Silo

Released: 2017

20 Years in a Montana Missile Silo continues Pere Ubu’s tradition of sonic experimentation, featuring a core ensemble and a plethora of guest musicians. This album presents a concise, focused set of songs that encapsulate the band’s recent explorations into melding punk, electronica, and avant-garde. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio and produced by David Thomas, the album was praised for its creativity and boldness.

CD Track Listings:

“Monkey Bizness” – 2:40
“Funk 49” – 3:14
“Prison of the Senses” – 2:18
“Toe to Toe” – 1:44
“The Healer” – 3:56
“Swampland” – 2:33
“Plan from Frag 9” – 3:50
“Howl” – 3:28
“Red Eye Blues” – 2:47
“Walking Again” – 3:38
“I Can Still See” – 3:35
“Cold Sweat” – 2:56

The Long Goodbye

Released: 2019

The Long Goodbye is positioned as potentially the final album by Pere Ubu, encapsulating the essence of their experimental and groundbreaking approach to music over the decades. This album blends elements of rock, electronic, and ambient music, providing a somber yet adventurous listening experience that reflects on the band’s journey. Recorded live during their 2017 farewell tour and further refined in the studio, the album was produced by David Thomas and recorded at various locations. While The Long Goodbye did not chart, it received praise for its innovative sound and was considered a fitting encapsulation of the band’s legacy.

CD Track Listings:

“What I Heard on the Pop Radio” – 3:45
“Marlowe” – 4:15
“Flicking Cigarettes at the Sun” – 5:10
“Road Is a Preacher” – 4:55
“Who Stole the Signpost?” – 4:10
“The World (As We Can Know It)” – 4:37
“Fortunate Son” – 3:28
“The Road Ahead” – 4:23
“Skidrow-on-Sea” – 4:51
“Lovely Day” – 3:57

Trouble On Big Beat Street

Released: 2023

Trouble On Big Beat Street marks a surprising and vibrant return for Pere Ubu, challenging the notion that The Long Goodbye would be their final output. This latest release continues to explore new sonic territories while retaining the core elements of the band’s distinctive style. The album incorporates modern influences and technologies, blending them with Pere Ubu’s traditional avant-garde and post-punk roots. Recorded at Suma Recording Studio and produced by David Thomas, the album offers fresh material that resonates with both long-time fans and new listeners.