Tad Doyle (TAD)

Tad Doyle (full name Thomas Andrew Doyle) is a musician, formerly of the band Tad and now his own solo projects. He has been called “the godfather of grunge” as his band Tad was one of the first grunge bands in Seattle.  Initially on the famed Subpop record label, they later scored two major label deals. The band toured with Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Primus & Sweet Water, among others. After the band ended Tad had some other projects and now make music under the name Thomas Andrew Doyle. His latest album “Forgotten Sciences” is out now. We discuss the new record, mental health, the Seattle music scene, film work and more! 

00:00 - Intro
00:46 - Welcome & Names
01:25 - Seattle & San Diego
03:30 - Seattle Favorites
04:40 - Physical & Mental Health 
07:50 - Recording New Music
08:40 - Forgotten Sciences & Mental Health
18:30 - Cutting Down Album & Streaming
21:00 - Truth & Parenting
24:12 - Goal With Record & Soundtracks
30:05 - Why No Tad Reunion
33:10 - Discovering Music & Streaming
34:45 - Possible Live Music
36:35 - Seattle Live Music Venues
38:50 - Seattle Bands & Shows
42:28 - Acting for "Singles" & "Twin Peaks"
44:40 - Subpop Records & Store & New Bands
46:35 - Musical Collaborations Past & Future
49:30 - Doing Different Musical Styles
51:55 - American Cancer Society
53:16 - Outro

Thomas Andrew Doyle website:
https://www.taddoyle.com/

American Cancer Society website:
https://www.cancer.org/donate.html

Chuck Shute website:
https://www.chuckshute.com/

Transcript

Chuck Shute: 0:00

Alright guys, today we have on an absolute music legend tad Doyle nicknamed the godfather of grunge. He fronted the band tad which many consider the first grunge band or definitely one of them. The band toured with Nirvana Allison chain Soundgarden Primus among others. So after the band broke up had had some other bands, but now he makes music under his full name Thomas Andrew Doyle. It's really cool stuff very dark and emotional. We're going to talk about his latest solo record his plans for the future with his music and Seattle music scene being in the movie singles and so much more coming right

Tad Doyle: 0:34

ad ad Jack how are you? up.

Chuck Shute: 0:48

Good. How are you? Good, man. ad

Tad Doyle: 0:56

either. Either way, the new records under Thomas Andrew Doyle, but you can probably tag whatever's whatever works for you.

Chuck Shute: 1:03

Okay, cool. Yeah, cuz I know, you're like your Instagram is still tagged as well. And so it was like, but then yeah, like you said, the album is Thomas. I'm like, Oh, okay. So I guess it's kind of like people call me Charles or Charlie. And so but I prefer check, I guess. Okay, cool. Yeah. So I want to get into the new album and music. And if we can talk a little bit about tab as well. But before we get into music, we got to talk Seattle, because I'm born and raised in Seattle. You moved there a while ago? You You're currently still there? From what I understand, right?

Tad Doyle: 1:35

Yes, yeah. You're 1986 and been here ever since. Except for a couple of years and San Diego.

Chuck Shute: 1:42

Oh, wait, when was that? That sounds amazing. I love San Diego.

Tad Doyle: 1:46

Yeah, me too. It was 2004 to 2006 I think.

Chuck Shute: 1:52

Okay, was that for music or personal thing? Or?

Tad Doyle: 1:55

Yeah, it was for my wife. But I met her and I decided to move down south where she had a home and we built a life together starting there. And then I decided that we wanted to move up north to Seattle because I missed all the greenery and you know, the the clean, fresh air that we have here and romanticizing about the smell of the moss and everything and I love San Diego don't get me wrong. It was a mazing experience and I loved it.

Chuck Shute: 2:33

But you love Seattle more? That's more at home for you.

Tad Doyle: 2:37

Well, you know, I can be okay anywhere now, I think but it was definitely. I wrote like i said i romanticized about the smell the air and the greenery. That's kind of I love that aspect of it. There's not as much greenery in San Diego. You know, it's kind of hot and dry.

Chuck Shute: 2:56

For sure. Yeah, I moved to Arizona. And I've lived here a while and Yeah, there's definitely pluses and minuses but that is definitely one thing I miss. I know exactly. You're talking about the smell of the like after the rain. Because then it rains here. It smells like it's weird. It smells kind of like dirt. It's very bizarre but in Seattle, when it rains Yeah, it smells like this like, like pine trees and like evergreen. It's really hard to explain to people if you haven't been there.

Tad Doyle: 3:22

Yeah, it's totally like that. That's the best description I've heard too.

Chuck Shute: 3:26

Yeah, but what about just like favorites in Seattle, like coffee shops, restaurants, stores, landmarks things to do stuff like that.

Tad Doyle: 3:36

Well, let's see there's for coffee. There's a little place that used to be on Broadway and I can't remember the name of it has a eau de Bochy. And that was good stuff. I'm not a fan of Starbucks, I think they really ruined the coffee because they cook it at too high temperature and it kind of makes it bitter, and sour. And I'm not a fan of the big huge corporate model for anything. So

Chuck Shute: 4:08

I agree with you there. Absolutely. Yeah, I

Tad Doyle: 4:11

like to stay local in support smaller businesses.

Chuck Shute: 4:15

Yeah, one of the I don't know I guess it's not really a small business it's it is kind of more corporate but it's like Seattle corporate is the Taco Time restaurants are you do you love Taco Time as much as I do? Because that's like one of the things I miss the most about being in Seattle.

Tad Doyle: 4:30

I used to love talker time, big time. And we had him in Boise where I grew up as well but I kind of shied away from that. The fast food model altogether period. I don't go to any fast food places at all. So wow, it's just trying to stay healthy, you know?

Chuck Shute: 4:50

Yeah, it seems I heard you say something like you lost was it 100 pounds or something like that?

Tad Doyle: 4:55

Yeah, just just dipped below 100 pounds that I've lost in It's been a long haul, man, you know? And certainly stair stepping up and down here and there. But it's taken quite a while for five years.

Chuck Shute: 5:09

Did you use the stair step? Or are you just you walk the stairs in your house? Or?

Tad Doyle: 5:14

Yeah, I have a couple of different stairs in my house. But no, I don't I don't go to a gym or anything. I just go for walks around the neighborhood. And that's been good enough for me.

Chuck Shute: 5:23

Yeah. Well, it's interesting. Because I think that kind of leads into with the physical health, but also the mental health. And that's kind of like, what this new album is about is about your own mental health. Isn't that kind of what inspired it?

Tad Doyle: 5:38

Yeah, absolutely. It started with me, you know, the pandemic was definitely a change for everybody. And, you know, the isolation of not being able to do things that you way you normally would, in having to wear a mask everywhere. And to an extent, I still wear masks here and there. Even though the mask mandate has been lifted, I think it's a healthy thing, especially if you're in a bunch of room with a bunch of people. But yeah, I mean, the the mental health aspect, I, I wasn't sleeping very well, that was part of it. And I was having a lot to do of living in the past and living in the present, living in the future, rather, in my mind. And it wasn't staying present in the now, which is something I'm practicing and will practice for the rest of my life. I don't think nobody ever arrived at that. But I had a lot of depression, and I wasn't getting any sleep as a result. And, and a severe anxiety, which I went and sought a mental health professional to help me with and to go over some things and realize some things that were hindering my sleep, I go to bed around 10 or 11, and wake up Stone Cold awake at 2am and not be able to go back to sleep again. So I wasn't getting good REM stage sleep. And you know, people can go nuts if they don't have proper REM. And so I decided, man, I'm going to make this record. I'm going to get rid of these demons by putting it into the music. And since then, I've practiced the noble art of silence in my head and being present in the moment. And that's really all I have. I don't have the past that, you know, the past isn't anything you can do anything about the future never comes. So you know, the future worries about itself. It doesn't need me to worry about it.

Chuck Shute: 7:49

Yeah. Because wasn't part of it was the same. You were worried that you're kind of getting older and getting anxious that you weren't gonna be able to release all this music that you wanted to make?

Tad Doyle: 8:00

Yeah, absolutely. That was a big part of it. And as a result, I, I took time off from recording other people's music for a few months, and was able to complete a lot of projects that I've had in the hopper for quite a while. One of which is forgotten sciences was in the works for two and a half years. And I finally was able to finish it in and get it out. I also had eternal nameless came out this year on Bandcamp only, and another release, which I can't remember the name of right now. Because I'm just saying so busy. I don't even know what, whether I'm coming and going most of the time. So

Chuck Shute: 8:41

yeah, so tell me the Forgotten sciences. What is that? The title is intriguing to me. What does that mean exactly?

Tad Doyle: 8:48

Well, I've discovered a lot of meditation practices, and, and outlooks on things and how to quiet my mind. And that's basically what it is, like, I used to do that. I'm a an addict, that has recovered. I'm clean and sober for 23 years now. And that was part of it, you know, I was doing a lot of that. That type of thing, you know, mindful, mindful presence and just trying to stay quiet and let the monkey swing through the trees, so to speak, of the mind. And eventually, you know, not not silence them but realize that it's just a bunch of junk that you hear and self talk that isn't helpful. You know, I suffered from depression all my life. And part of that is, you know, just believing the negative self talk that I that I've had my head all this Time and to work in this out with a mental health professional and channeling all this energy. That could have been potentially a negative thing into a positive thing I was able to make this record.

Chuck Shute: 10:12

That's amazing. Yeah, I don't know a lot about music. I mean, I've done a little bit of music dabbled here and there, but I can't talk like time signatures and that kind of stuff. But I can talk the emotion. And when you listen to this record, I mean, it makes you feel, you know, sad and afraid and curious. And and, I mean, it's almost like you can't turn it off, because it's very powerful stuff, was it cathartic to make the record and to write and record it?

Tad Doyle: 10:41

Definitely. And I liked it to notice that and that's the way I like to, to identify with music, too, is not as a technical thing, but as an emotional and, and a, for lack of a better word as spiritual experience. And that's where I've always wanted to come from, and continuing to explore for my music. You know, there is some horrific things that I've gone through, I'm not alone, in that there's a lot of people have, you know, I don't know, I can't speak for anybody else. But, you know, my, my self talk was always been degrading and diminishing to me, as in probably part of that might come from a less than, quote, unquote, perfect childhood, my father was pretty abusive, mentally he, you know, and that showed up, and part of that is, you know, I've recognized through a mental health professional getting getting this to me is that I realized that a lot of my physical problems, like, you know, my obesity has stemmed from that, and just trying to deal with it and eating the pain away, so to speak. And so, you know, clearing all this junk out of my, my spirit is enabled me to start to come back to a, a reset form of who I am as a person. And a lot of that the lyrics are about that, you know, sky's full of coal, dark clouds, you know, if you wake up every day, and you hate your life, it's, you know, it can be awful. The, there's been times when I've considered the ultimate sacrifice, they call, you know, killing yourself. I've considered that many times throughout my life. But thankfully, I never followed through with it. And music has helped me through that. And towards the end of the record, I think it starts to become more positive. And that's the point is that that's been my journey is that there are no big deals, and I don't listen to the negative self talk anymore. I could recognize it and go, you know, thanks for that. But go fuck off.

Chuck Shute: 13:20

Nice. Yeah. I mean, that's, thank you for, you know, being very candid about that. Because I think that's something that is, has come to light moreso in the last 510 15 years with mental health, you know, something that when I grew up, and I'm sure when you grew up, it was something that was not talked about a lot, especially with men, like, Oh, if you see a counselor, you know, you're crazy. There's something wrong with you. And now it's coming out that, you know, we're all human. We all have go through these ups and downs, some worse than others. But there really isn't any shame and trying to work through that. And I don't care who you are. I mean, I've interviewed this, like 350 episodes, and I've interviewed some of the most successful musicians and actors and stuff. Everybody's got problems like nobody's perfect. So

Tad Doyle: 14:02

cut out for a second. I'm sorry. No, yeah.

Chuck Shute: 14:06

Yeah, I was just saying how, you know, I appreciate how you're able to open up about these things and shine a light on the mental health stuff that I think is very common for most people, most humans.

Tad Doyle: 14:17

I agree. And it is very important. You know, I grew up in with a military mother and father and my dad was just like, you know, man up, you know, Boys Don't Cry, be a man you know, the whole time and suppressing emotions. As a human is not a good thing to do. And it can well up and it can create all kinds of clogs and your, your spirit, your psyche or chakras, it can create a lot of physical problems. That's the way it manifested in me as well as the mental. So you know, it's okay to let your emotions come out. And and at the end of the day, we are As human beings, you know, we're having a an experience as being human. And we are spirits, you know, we are spiritual beings. We're not having a, you know, it's just important to realize that and it's okay to have downtime times that are not 100% happy all the time. I mean, I don't think anybody has that. And I think that social media has made a big lie for a lot of people, especially I feel bad for younger girls and women, because they see all these people, you know, putting videos up of how great their life is, and they look great, and they feel great. And all the boys desire them, and everything is like, that's not reality for people, you know, we're all different body shapes. And, you know, it's, it's not, it's not real.

Unknown: 15:59

Yeah,

Tad Doyle: 15:59

it's real.

Chuck Shute: 16:00

I saw some article, I think I posted on Facebook, it was about social media with young people and how the depression rates have skyrocketed since the rise of social social media and just how people are becoming depressed going on exactly what you said, look at these things that are not real, you're seeing like, an altered site, a lot of it is filters. And then a lot of it is like, they're just showing you the best stuff, their best angles, their best times, that you're not seeing the whole person's life, which if you saw every person's life, there's going to be ups and downs and high points and low points, just like everybody.

Tad Doyle: 16:34

Absolutely. And that's important, too, to realize that, especially for younger people. I mean, aside from the dangers of being data mined, and exploited, for all these bots that are out there, you know, it's not healthy at all. And you compare yourself to other things, you know, it's like, well, why can't I? You know, and then that creates a whole horrific health scene, to in your psyche that prevents you from being happy in the present moment with what you have and where you're at? is really what you come down to it. That's all we have is right this second. There's nothing else out there.

Chuck Shute: 17:14

Now, that's very true. Yeah. So this album, I mean, it's it's so like you said some of those lyrics the, you know, can't seem to find the shining clouds only skies full of coal and mourning souls. I mean, it's just so ODEs, to horrible dreams on this dark side of town and the fire we burn, watching time drip like molasses. I mean, this is like some really dark imagery that's really cool to listen to, and especially how you've got it like a spoken words, because there's a lot of times you listen to a song, and you don't really, you can't understand the lyrics. I mean, we could talk about nirvana for that one. But I mean, this is a you can, you've got the spoken word, you can hear the lyrics very clearly. And it really makes you like, take it in more.

Tad Doyle: 17:56

Sure. I think that's important too, is like, if you have a worthy message that you should make it obvious and clear to anybody who wants to find it. Yeah, how I worked on my speech, because I slur my speech a lot. I speak pretty fast, Pacific Northwesterners and I got a drawl to it. And you know, I sound like a hick sometimes. And I gotta list because I got weird teeth. But, you know, it is what it is. So I got to work on that shit. Yeah, I

Chuck Shute: 18:27

didn't notice that on the album at all. But it's interesting too. So like, is it the second song is odes to horrible dreams. It kind of continues from the first song and even doesn't have some of the same lyrics like the sky full of coal and morning soul, like all those lines are, it kind of like blends into the second, the first and second song blend into each other? Right?

Tad Doyle: 18:46

Yeah, absolutely. And that's the thing this was written is to be a one continuous piece of music. And when I finished it, it was actually 55 minutes long. And that's the way I intended it. And I realized that if I'm willing to put out vinyl and at the maximum group size for each side, I had to cut it down. So I made it 40 minutes long, chopped up about 15 minutes out of the song, and that way, I could fit 20 minutes per side on vinyl, and it would sound sonically correct as to what I intended. And then, you know, you get into digital media and streaming and streaming doesn't like file sizes that are larger than you know, 10 minutes at most. So I had to cut it down and put markers and that's essentially what I did is I go okay, well I can I can do I can transition this here or separated and make it a new song and hopefully the Miss messages carried anyway and I think if you do live Since the digital version, it is full. There are no gaps and you can't experience it as a whole. The whole deal without hearing breaks, which is what it was intended to be, you know, 4555 minutes of music.

Chuck Shute: 20:18

Yeah, no, for sure. And then because it does, it goes through ups and downs. And then, like the machine noises sing that part where the vocals get more kind of elaborate the drums and you actually have like drums and guitars and you do everything on this album. I know you'd play the drums and you sing, and you do the you do the pianos and the sense of the guitars.

Tad Doyle: 20:37

Yeah, everything everything. I've done that since my first solo record, incineration ceremony. That's been all me with the exception of some guest players here and there. But yeah, forgotten sciences is all all this guy.

Chuck Shute: 20:55

Yeah. And then I think that the last song is truth. Right? That's that one's really interesting. Talk about that song. Because that's kind of that's like, not just synthesizer. That's like a real Peter. It sounds like a real piano. That's kind of more of a sad song as well. It kind of has like, to me, I have like a Pink Floyd vibe to it.

Tad Doyle: 21:12

Oh, wow. I appreciate that comparison. And I love Pink Floyd. So I'm glad that that you recognize that. Yeah, there's some Wurlitzer in there and some the Mellotron and I think overall, the message towards the end is positive. But you know, it's, it's open to the interpreter. You know, I think I was basically saying that the only thing that remains is the truth is that I'm not all these horrible things that I tell myself on a regular basis. Do the strange abuses that I had from my, my military, father and mother. And it's just psychological abuse. It wasn't really physical. But, you know, I know, I know, I'm not alone to that. And I'm not unique. I mean, there's been, you know, people aren't really cut out for being parents, and certainly I don't think my father was. And, you know, he comes from a long line of virus drugs. So there's probably some genetic darkness that I've inherited. Lucky me from all that.

Unknown: 22:27

Yeah, well,

Chuck Shute: 22:30

go ahead. No, I was just gonna say, when you say people aren't cut out to be parents, that's interesting, because I was I used to be school counselor. And so I used to see all these families, rich and poor, middle class. I mean, it didn't really matter how much money people had, or were there. I mean, you just saw a lot of errors in parenting, like, I mean, like, you start to learn it and see it over time, like, the style of parenting that works well. And then the style that doesn't. And yeah, there's just a lot of mistakes. I think people are lost, there's no handbook or guide to B being a parent. So I think people are just kind of winging it. And sometimes it doesn't work out very well. And kids, kids suffer for sure. I mean, they're resilient. But they, I mean, you can see the pain I had so many kids in my office break down and cry. And I mean, you could just see it with the parents too sad. It's sad to see.

Tad Doyle: 23:19

Yeah. And that can be carried genetically, that they're, they're proving that all that trauma, over a period of many generations can be carried over. Right. And, you know, it's kind of horrific to think about. And, you know, at the bottom, the bottom line is that humans are humans, and they make mistakes, and some people should never have children, and some people had them. And it was an accident, and they follow through because it's the thing to do. And, you know, tried the best they can and that, you know, I don't have any ill will towards my upbringing. In fact, I'm glad it happened the way it did, because it shaped me into what I'm doing now and being able to realize certain things about myself to be become a better human being.

Chuck Shute: 24:10

Yeah, so what is the goal with this record is kind of just to spread this message of of hope and working through this, but also I think, don't you want to try to maybe get it on some soundtracks and things like that?

Tad Doyle: 24:25

Well, yeah, of course, you touched on it is, you know, I wanted this record to draw attention to that. It's okay to not be okay. And to realize it, that you are not okay. And that seek help. That's that's pretty much the first thing. And that's what I did is I never thought I'd be a guy that would go and see a mental health professional because my ego wouldn't let me the past you know, I'm like, oh, you know, that's, that's ridiculous. That's for weak people. Well, guess what? I wound up being one of those people that needed it. And I'm not saying everybody does, but it helped me. And I just want people to know that if their life isn't the way they think it should be that they could seek other avenues, and they don't have to keep repeating the same thoughts and Ill, Ill experiences that they have, they can choose another way. And they may need help with it. And that's all that was about. Second part of that question you asked is, I've been moving towards sound for picture and soundtracks for movies and TV for a long time now ever since the first solo record incineration ceremony. And that's where I want to go now. That's, that's, that's where my heart is really excited. And I'm, I've started doing that. And I did a a score for a trailer for a stop motion movie. thing created by a famous rock photographer by the name of Michael love vine. And the name of it is the dark Odyssey. And I did the trailer for The Dark Odyssey too. And as a result of doing that, he's going to have me work on the next iteration. Whenever that is, I mean, this guy's a genius. He's done all this stuff himself. It's a sci fi thing. He did all the set design the costumes for the characters, created his own language for this, this thing. So it's how subtitled but it's just amazing. And it's it's suspends reality for me, you know, I can go into this place where I can have complete peace and ease with because I love sci fi. And I love music. So there's two wins right off the bat. And then coming up, I'm going to be working on a soundtrack for a new kind of horror film. That's what they're calling it. It's called Cara. And it's made in the UK by a director, Hayden Hewitt. And he's had a few films that he's made. But this is going to be a departure from what it usually does. I mean, he kind of does new stuff every time but his production company is black octopus productions out of the UK. And I'm going to be starting the sound track work for that, probably this month. And I'm really excited about that. And that's, that's where I want to go. I can do soundtrack for pretty much any style, but where my passion, passion lies in sci fi and horror. So I've been I've got two of them down, you know, and I only see more coming this way. So I'm really happy about that. It's fun.

Chuck Shute: 27:59

Yeah, no, that's how I love sci fi horror. Those are probably my two my favorite genres. I also oddly, I love comedy, too. They don't it's not as many good comedies coming out lots of great sci fi horror stuff coming out these days. If you've seen that silo show. I don't know if you've seen that one. Oh, yeah.

Tad Doyle: 28:17

That one's great. Living in the strange. Yeah, no wonder the ground and

Chuck Shute: 28:23

yeah, I can see you do. I mean, they've already got a score for that. But you know, something like that. What do you your music would be perfect for that like kind of thing. So I'm curious to see what these projects that you've got coming out. And I think you had one that was called, was it fundamentally cynical? What I love that title? You did the soundtrack for that one, too, right?

Tad Doyle: 28:42

Yeah, I've done a few of the soundtracks for that. It's from a creative genius from bakkies the younger guy, Preston hazard. And that was a animation that was on Amazon for quite a while and now he's doing it on the the IFC are one of those things, but he's, he's doing a bunch of stuff and he's got a really great future ahead of him too. So it's been really fun to work with him on fundamentally cynical.

Chuck Shute: 29:18

Yeah, that's it. So it makes sense that that's, that's kind of where your passion is now because I know everyone always asks you about tad reunions and stuff, and you just have no interest in that. And that's it makes sense because this is your passion now you've kind of already done the TAT thing.

Tad Doyle: 29:34

Yeah, I'm moving towards what I what makes my heart sing instead of you know, rehashing the past and I think that I've the guys in the band tad as well as brothers. Brothers of the Sonic cloth have left a legacy and I'm very proud of it and you know, it's time to move in a new direction. I always want to be creating new stuff and channel into myself musically to do new things.

Chuck Shute: 30:03

Yeah, you You did kind of reunite in 2009. Or you performed some of the songs from from tad. Right.

Tad Doyle: 30:14

Yeah, there's a few songs we did. And I brought Gary Christensen, the original tag guitar player on with me on stage as well. And we we played a couple few tad songs as well as brothers songs. And it was more an excuse to just get get a gig for the brothers. And it was really, it was a happy thing to be able to reunite with Gary in that way.

Chuck Shute: 30:38

So what was it? Like? Because I mean, I guess that was still like 14 years ago, but you had a little bit of a taste? Was it you didn't get hungry? Or, you know, maybe we should do a few more shows. You just said, yeah, that was enough?

Tad Doyle: 30:51

Well, that's an interesting question. And the way I feel about it is that I think I'm a different person than I was then. And I don't know if I'm in the same split space, mentally with the thought process that I was going through with the band tag. And I think, for me that I don't want to spend all this time and energy to relearn songs that we did. And I think, to a degree, we would be diminishing the legacy that we left with the energy that we had behind the music, then, as opposed to now. And I think a lot of bands could learn from that thought instead of doing you know, I've never been into it for the money, obviously, you know, it's like, of course, we've been offered really big shows and big money to reunite, but it's just doesn't entice me, that's not why I do this. I do it because it makes my heart sing when I do it. And that's not where my heart is anymore. So I think a lot of bands, like, I'm not diminishing what other bands do, but a few of them have reunions. And it's like God, you know, maybe you should have left it alone.

Chuck Shute: 32:10

No, I definitely see that. I agree. There's definitely some where you're like, and especially when it's, there's like one original member and it's like the keyboard player or something, you know, like, how is this This isn't really the band anymore? It's like a different. It's like a cover band almost.

Tad Doyle: 32:25

Yeah. And that comes down to you know, the business of music, you know, how, how can we make money? How can we exploit this? How can we sell merch, you know? And that's never been what it's been about for me with music. It's a deeper, more spiritual experience for me, then, you know, profits and ego.

Chuck Shute: 32:49

Yeah. And you have you have enough with all this other work that you're doing that you're not, you don't have to take that gig, you don't have to go and do the reunion just to make money.

Tad Doyle: 32:59

Yeah, and that's exactly it. And also, I wouldn't be happy doing that. That's not where I'm at now.

Chuck Shute: 33:07

Yeah, well, when you look back on those memories, there's got to be some good memories of those days. I mean, it was just such a iconic time in music history. That whole Seattle scene.

Tad Doyle: 33:18

Yeah, absolutely. And there's, there's some decent, you know, archivists who have captured some of that, and you can see it on YouTube. And here, they're different other places, but I think the album's are, speak for themselves. And they're, they're still available. And that's a that's a plus.

Chuck Shute: 33:37

No, no, that's so amazing. Because I'm just now discovering you guys. Like I remember, obviously, I grew up in Seattle, I'd heard of Tad, I was like, I, I, you know, they probably heard a couple songs or something and had vaguely heard of you guys, but didn't really know the band that well, then now I can go on. And I know artists hate streaming, I understand that I totally get it. But for me, it's really cool. Because I can go back and I can listen to all your old songs. And I'm like, Oh, these are these are great. How did I miss this fan? Like it's, and it's an interesting story with that band, just like, you know, there was lawsuits and there was record label changes and all this stuff that it's almost like it was the perfect storm of just bad luck, which I don't usually say with with bands.

Tad Doyle: 34:19

Or you could say it was a perfect storm of good luck on how you look at it. And you know, I'm not, I'm with you on that the thing that I hate, hate the thought of Spotify making so much money off of artists. But at the same time, my wife bought a family plan. And I've discovered a lot of music that I wouldn't normally have had. I wouldn't buy Spotify myself. I think it's, you know, an abomination insulting to musical artists everywhere. But, you know, I've discovered a lot of stuff that I've never would have found any other way. So you know, I like streaming in that aspect. So that's where I'm at with that.

Chuck Shute: 35:05

Yeah, I think the thing was streaming is like, I, I love the idea that I can discover other artists. But yeah, I don't I just don't like the fact that you guys are not getting paid what you should and I wouldn't mind paying more for my Spotify. I mean, I would pay a lot more because I'm getting a lot of music. I know probably some people don't listen to music and podcasts as much as I do. But I listen to all the time. And so I would, I would feel fine paying more, what I do try to do is I try to support bands. When I do discover them, I try to support them by buying merch or going to see a show obviously can't see a tad show, but I would I would see your solo stuff or whatever you're doing. If you if you had, well, you're not going to do live shows for this. Are you for your solo stuff?

Tad Doyle: 35:46

No, that's not something that's in the works. Right now, there has been talking, I've been offered certain things to do. But again, that's a lot of work that would bog me down from creating more new things. And I like to stay. I like to, to keep moving. And not be bogged down by something like a live show and having to show people a bunch of things the way I want them done. So I mean, I might have some improv shows that I'll do with brands eventually down the road. But at this point, now I'm perfectly happy creating in the studio and releasing things and letting it go out that way.

Chuck Shute: 36:33

Yeah, cuz that's, I love live music. And it's interesting, like, you know, growing up in Seattle in the 90s, like you're talking about some of the venues back then because it was just so cool. There was I mean, some of them are still around like the crocodile cafe and the shoebox and the Pyrmont. But I remember, like, there was a place there was like a laundromat, and it was called sit and spin, and they had music. Do you remember some of those other like, kind of lesser known venues?

Tad Doyle: 36:57

Oh, yeah, there was quite a few. And I'm trying to remember them. There was a place called the Vogue. Yeah, that was down on First Avenue in Virginia. And it was basically like a small dance club. And they had live music and something to keep the bartenders busy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And otherwise it was it was basically a draw, like for for dancing and disco type of music. But there was that and then there is a place called graven image. In the early days of Seattle, that was more Gothic and punk stuff. And then there was quite a few venues that I can't even remember the name of there is all ages place over on 12th and Jackson, that a lot of hardcore shows would happen. And then there was a few places on Fifth Avenue underneath the monorail, but they're all really small clubs and funhouse, which is survived. It's moved into a place called El Corazon now, but it used to be its own punk rock place. That was over there on Fifth Avenue, kind of by the Seattle Center. But yeah, I mean, the central Tavern is still around and there's still bands playing there. But I mean, Seattle has always been rich with music and and to be honest, the city council and the government here has always tried to make it as hard as possible on musicians and artists because they thought it was the hotbed of corrupted you which it might be

Chuck Shute: 38:45

Yeah, I mean, there was and there's so many other Seattle I mean, obviously people know like the Nirvana's and Allison chains and stuff, but there was a lot of really cool bands that are a little lesser known that like mud honey and the Melvin's and grunt truck and stuff like that. I mean, I'm assuming that you connected with all those guys back in the day.

Tad Doyle: 39:03

Yeah, absolutely. They're all good people. I still keep in contact with a few of them and it's always good to see you know Melvin's have been in for been in it for a long time. They've been around I remember going to see them at a punk rock club in Boise called the crazy house and they played there in 82. And they're still killing it to this day and still making amazing music and heavy is all get out. But yeah, there's lots of lots of music out here and there always has been and always will be. Yeah, like the city council. Just in the government.

Chuck Shute: 39:44

Yeah. Well, I had and I'm sure you guys toured with a Sweetwater which I had the singer of that band on my show, because I was so I love that band. I thought they were so underrated, so melodic. And they just for whatever reason, they didn't they didn't make it as Vegas I thought they should have but you toured with them and Allison chains. I mean, that's I wish I had a time machine because that sounds like an amazing show. The three of you guys, that must have been some fun times.

Tad Doyle: 40:11

It was some fun time and they're all really good good guys and had a blast with Allison chains. And the Sweetwater guys it was you know, looking back on it, it was an amazing magical time. I got to be there. Um, you know, lucky that way.

Chuck Shute: 40:30

Yeah. And you played? You did bumper shoot, which, if you're from Seattle, you've heard a bumper shoot. If you're not, you probably haven't, but I'm trying to remember that was 96 You played it? And was it free then because it used to be a free show. And now it's grown into this giant thing that I probably couldn't even afford it if I wanted to. But what was it like playing that in 96?

Tad Doyle: 40:51

Well, to be honest, I don't remember playing it. And I'm sure we did. But, you know, I was still practicing different things with mine altering mood altering substances at that point. I don't really remember it. Yeah, I do remember vaguely being there and you know, playing a show and it was a good good time. But I you know, I have a lot of memories of touring with Soundgarden and Allison chains and, and yeah, it was good.

Chuck Shute: 41:27

Yeah, the tour was Soundgarden. 11. That sounds like a really fun time. That was in 94 when Soundgarden was blowing up, I think that was right around super unknown, or, yeah, that must have been a really fun. And that was when you guys were on a major label, which it was crazy, because you're on a major label. And then like, whatever reason they dropped you and then you actually got a second major label contract, which I think is pretty rare in the music business, isn't it?

Tad Doyle: 41:52

Yeah. And then we actually had a third as well.

Unknown: 41:54

Was there a third? Yeah,

Tad Doyle: 41:56

there is a originally it was. Let's see. I think it was giant Warner. Yeah. And then we went on to God, who was it?

Chuck Shute: 42:07

Well, the inhaler was on. Okay, giant records, dropped it and then futurist Records was that that's not major. Is it? No, East West Electra, and then

Tad Doyle: 42:19

there was east west. Yeah. Up to

Chuck Shute: 42:23

Okay. Yeah. And then you also tell me about, do you have memories of this one, when you were in the movie singles, I that's, I have to go back and rewatch that and see which part you had.

Tad Doyle: 42:34

Well, I had a real small part and Cameron Crowe saw fit to include me and that is a some guy in a trailer park because they kind of fit the part for the the ethos that was happening with the band Tad, you know, being rowdy lumberjack types. But it was just a small part where I was wrong. Number four. Can't remember the major actress. Can't remember her name. Bridget Fonda that out. Yeah, she called me and she thought she was getting a hold of her dude. And it was actually wound up being me on the other line. Okay, and so I was the wrong number. And that was fun. I was actually getting ready to go into doing some Twin Peaks to at the time I was being auditioned for a a tow truck driver for that show. And for some, whatever reason I didn't get it, which is fine. Because I was very busy with the band tag, we're touring, you know, six to nine months out of the year anyway.

Chuck Shute: 43:43

Yeah, that would have been cool, though. Twin Pete David Lynch. That guy is a really interesting person made some really interesting movies.

Tad Doyle: 43:52

He is and a lot of people don't know this about him, but he's originally from Boise, Idaho as well. Really? Yeah.

Chuck Shute: 43:59

Is that where you're I know you went to Boise State is and I know you live in Seattle now. But are you originally from Boise or like around somewhere in Idaho? Or?

Tad Doyle: 44:08

Yeah, no, I was originally from Boise. I lived there until I was 26. At which time I decided to move to Seattle with my band each hour. And we moved to Seattle as a band and then shortly after broke up and I started tad as a solo project. And then eventually I decided that it was too much work for one guy. And I enlisted the help of three other guys that wound up being the band tad. Yeah, and

Chuck Shute: 44:36

then you guys originally on Sub Pop. Have you been to the Sub Pop store at the Seattle airport? I wonder what you thought of that?

Tad Doyle: 44:44

I have that's pretty fun. It's It's amazing. You know, to see that happening. That they have, you know this little indie label that Bruce Cabot started with his friend Jonathan parlimen that grew into such a huge thing. And they help foster a musical movement, you know that they should be very proud of that. And I was glad to be a part of that. It's fun to see all those records and walk in and talk to the people work in there. I actually recorded one of the guys that works there. His name's Liam, and he's in a band called so pitted, and they were on subpop as well, at one point, and it's, it's just fun to connect with a lot of the younger folk.

Chuck Shute: 45:35

Yeah, what other bands like up and coming? or newer bands? Are you a fan of I'm assuming you still follow? I thought I heard you say something like you try to stay with new bands and new music is there's is there bands that you want to give a shout out to here? No,

Tad Doyle: 45:52

you know what, I'm not very good at that my wife. She has her ear to the ground and on the rail for that more than I do. And she will tell me, Hey, you should check this out. And, you know, we'll, we'll get in the car and play some songs that she finds and some bands and I just stay so deep into creating and working with other musicians and bands at my studio, they don't really have a hell of a lot of extra time to do some discovery. But yeah, I'm not a very good resource for that, I guess I should say, are you

Chuck Shute: 46:31

who are some of the people that you're working with? Because this solo record, obviously, is mostly just you, but it's so there's some projects where you're working with other people? Or is this just like you said, the guests that are sometimes on your solo records?

Tad Doyle: 46:45

You mean for the stuff that I do?

Chuck Shute: 46:48

Yeah. Or who like what else? What do you mean collaborating like you're collaborating with on other projects? Or you're guesting on people's stuff? Or they're?

Tad Doyle: 46:56

Well, no, I had my friend, composer from back east Peter Scott Abello, played percussion on some of my incineration ceremony stuff. The the first record, and we're talking about doing another collaboration. He's a really great composer of film and TV scores. And he's been doing it for a long time. I mean, I first hooked up with him back in MySpace days, believe it or not, and, you know, that's how long we've known each other, and he's become a really good friend. Although we've never met in person. It's really odd. Way back east, and, you know, I live Northwest. But yeah, I mean, there's there'll be some collaborations, but I don't know who would win. But he's probably one that I'll do again.

Chuck Shute: 47:50

Was there somebody? Is there some musicians on your bucket list that you'd really want to collaborate with? But

Tad Doyle: 47:59

that's a good loaded questions.

Chuck Shute: 48:03

Well, I'm assuming you said Pink Floyd. So you know, there's those guys, and I'm sure that there's got to be some others that you've thought about.

Tad Doyle: 48:11

Yeah, I mean, I guess I'm pretty solitary in my creations, I don't really like to involve a lot of people anymore. And that's, that's, that's kind of become the norm for me as time goes on. I used to be more collaborative and, and have bands with other people and and I've always kind of been the guy that had the vision, and asked people to play certain things, certain ways. But no, no, you know, I can't see myself really reaching out to play with anybody. It's not on my radar, I guess. I like to stay busy in my own environment, and just be here at the studio and make whatever I make.

Chuck Shute: 49:01

Yeah, well, you're making some some great stuff. And I love that you're that you've evolved. I think that's cool. Like when musicians, you know, I kind of agree with you that sometimes you go I don't why is this band? Why don't they try something different when they do something new, you know, and I like that you're doing new stuff, because I think I understand that I'm not musical, like I said, but if I was, if I had a band, I feel like I would get really bored with just playing the same songs over and over for 20 3040 years. I'd be like, Okay, I got to do something different.

Tad Doyle: 49:31

Right? Absolutely. And that's, that's where I'm at, you know, I've never you know, I, I think I've deviated from the form of music. That's the traditional as far as verse chorus, bridge, chorus, verse, ending outro, all that shit. And I like it to be more nebulous and interwoven, which I think is the way in a forgotten sciences is theirs Not really a noticeable section. I mean, that's I like things to be chaos, you know, in a lot of ways, but be organized in a way. And I think that that forgotten sciences is pretty much a musical fractal. That's the way I would describe it

Unknown: 50:16

to somebody. A musical what Say that again?

Tad Doyle: 50:19

A musical fractal?

Chuck Shute: 50:21

Fractal. Okay, what is that? I don't know that word?

Tad Doyle: 50:25

Well, it's, if you look it up, it's kind of like repetition that's interwoven with other things at different speeds. Musically, this is the way I'm thinking of it. At least. You could look at a leaf on a tree, and it's basically a fractal of it. So there's many. It's, yeah, just have fun. Look it up.

Chuck Shute: 50:52

Well, that makes sense. All right. Very cool. Well, yeah, no, I like the new stuff. I'm glad that I've finally discovered tattoo. I'm a little late on the bandwagon on that one. But it's good stuff, too. And I look forward to seeing what you do with the soundtracks because I love horror sci fi. So I think your stuff would fit perfectly without I think it'd be really cool to see that. And it's something that it's, it's a little bit different to it's not going to just be the typical score that you that you hear in movies and TV if, if it continues on the Forgotten sciences path, at least.

Tad Doyle: 51:23

Right? Yeah. Oh, I thought of a good example of a fractal. There's a broccoli that you can find in the store. And it has really uniform spirals to it. You ever seen that

Unknown: 51:34

thing? Now? I don't think so. Well,

Tad Doyle: 51:37

they're out there. Okay, find them. But it's it's basically like it, you find that well just look up fractal. You'll get into it.

Chuck Shute: 51:46

Oh, it's I'll check out both of those things. And people need to check out the new album. And then I always end, every episode promoting a charity. I hope your publicist told you that that's, you shouldn't have something ready. If if you don't

Tad Doyle: 51:59

get salutely or you don't like you. It's the American Cancer Society. And it's, I think the website is cancer.me. Find it. I had it picked out.

Chuck Shute: 52:14

Yeah, I'm sure that I can find that'll be the first thing if I google that I'm sure I can get that. I'll put that website. And

Tad Doyle: 52:21

it's cancer.org. Yeah. And forward slash donate.

Chuck Shute: 52:26

Perfect. Okay, I'll put that in the show notes along with your website. And people can check out the new album. Now can they get? Can they get the new album on vinyl?

Tad Doyle: 52:36

Yes, they can. If you go to Ted doyle.com, you can go down to the bottom of the first page and it has social links. It's available on MBD audio. And you can also go to my Instagram and you'll have a link tree link to all my all things I'm involved with. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 53:00

that's right now follow you on Instagram. Perfect. Well, thank you so much for doing this. Great stuff. And keep us posted if there's new things you have to promote.

Unknown: 53:09

Yeah, it's been a pleasure talking

Chuck Shute: 53:11

to you. All right, you too tattle. See you later. Okay, bye. Great stuff from tad Doyle or Thomas Andrew Doyle as he goes by for his new solo music. Make sure to check out his latest record and check out all his stuff. He's made a lot of great music over the years with Tad, the solo stuff and other bands, and make sure to follow him on social media. I know he's on Twitter and Instagram, and you can check out his website in the show notes for more information. I appreciate your support for our guests, and you can support the show in much the same way. Also, follow us on social media, like comment and share and make sure you're subscribed to the YouTube channel for the full video versions of these interviews plus exclusive other content that is 100% free at the moment. Thanks for sticking with us. Have a great rest of your day and shoot for the moon.