Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu is an American rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975. The band had a variety of lineup changes, with singer and songwriter David Thomas remaining the sole constant. In December 1975, they released their debut single 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, and later their debut album The Modern Dance in 1978. After several more releases they disbanded in 1982, only to reform in 1987. Thomas remained active, recording and touring until his death on April 23, 2025.
Their work drew inspiration from avant-garde music, garage rock, musique concrète, performance art, and the Rust Belt of the American Midwest. Despite their association with the art punk and post-punk scene, Thomas rejected the punk rock label; he described the band as "avant-garage" and "just a rock band".
Their single "Waiting for Mary" peaked at number 6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart on June 17, 1989. The music video was played on MTV. Pere Ubu have been cited as an influence by artists such as Joy Division, Pixies, Hüsker Dü, the Breeders, Henry Rollins, Guided by Voices, R.E.M., Sisters of Mercy, Thomas Dolby, Julian Cope, Six Finger Satellite, Mission of Burma and Peter Murphy.
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