Margaret Thatcher and the Supply Side Bio

(below was written by Dave Rude, singer for the band and all around cool guy)

A short history of Margaret Thatcher and the Supply Side

Punk rock came to Grinnell College in Iowa in 1979. Three bands, the Dentists, the Social Freds, and Irv and the Constrictors, defined the new music landscape, replacing the blues and Grateful Dead covers bands of the prior year. The Dentists featured frontman Dave Rude, whose antics made the band a popular visual show, while the band sounded like the Dead Boys with a pianist. Meanwhile, the Social Freds’ guitarist/songwriter Joel Robbins was exploring territory in the area of Pere Ubu.

As college bands, neither the Dentists nor Social Freds survived into the next academic year. Rude elected to spend a semester abroad in London, and in 1980, that was not a bad decision for someone hoping to continue in bands. Robbins continued to work on projects at college.

When Rude returned in the Spring of 1981, he was without a band. None of his former bandmates showed any interest in letting him join their existing bands; therefore, he decided to form his own band. Rude and Robbins united and formed Margaret Thatcher and the Supply Side. Joining them initially was Jeff Jeffers (bass), Gordon Ganicott (guitar), Tim King (saxophone (!)), and Mike Alexander (drums).

MT & TSS immediately dominated the Grinnell music scene, including headlining the six band bill for the outdoor music festival held each Spring. MT & TSS also added Hope Hutman to assist with guitar on a few songs for a couple of shows at the school in May.

Rude graduated, but the band wanted to continue in some way. Robbins, from Poughkeepsie, New York, and Alexander, from comparatively nearby Hamden, Connecticut, suggested that basing in Connecticut would maximize the chances of performing live. Hutman and Rude joined them and established a base for the band in New Haven.

Over the course of the summer of 1981, the band played live a number of times, in places like Ron’s Place, Baba O’Riley’s in New London, and even Max’s Kansas City in New York City.

The highlight of the summer was the recording and release of a self-produced three song EP. Recorded at Trod Nossel studios, the record featured “Breaking into the Pentagon of your Love,” “Be Nice to your President,” and “Part of You.” Only 500 copies were made, and they are now collectors items.

In the fall of 1981, Rude went to law school and the other band members went their various ways. But in the Spring of 1982, Grinnell College paid for Rude to return to campus for a show with the band that also featured his reconciliation with former Dentists members who played on a few songs in this reunion concert.

The music of the band was intended to be punky, but friendly. In the interest of creating instantly recognizable and popular songs, the lyrics tended to be repetitious and the songs were often very basic, usually without bridges or long introductions.

For more information, including song titles, flyers, and audio files, go to www.myspace.com/margaretthatcherandthesupplyside.

(Below are some amusing excerpts from a self promoting fanzine that the band produced called “Ga Ga Ga”)

The loss of bassist Jeff Jeffers to yard work and of Tim King to the McGuinn Brothers and Perchance, the exiting of rhythm guitarist Gordon Kurtz, and separation from the womb of Grinnel College has not destroyed Margaret Thatcher And The Supply Side.

Jeffers has been replaced by Hope Hutman, former member of The Toilet Fish and the Necros. Her onstage debut occurred June 17. She will also play rhythm guitar on songs that “really need that extra punch.” No plans exist to replace King or add a full time guitarist.

After two weeks of rehearsals in Mike Alexanders posh suburban garage, Alexander deemed the group “awesome.”

The Friday and Saturday night headlining performances of MT&TSS were reasonably well received by small audiences, though profits were not to be obtained.

Guitar wizard Joel Robbins commented on the audience. “Small but effective.” “Joel isn’t speaking in complete sentences,” added Rude. “He sucks sometimes.” Bass virtuoso Hope Hutman said “I didn’t notice the audience.”

With the knowledge that the live performances of the band are still “awesome,” MT&TSS have decided that the recording and release of a single EP might not be a bad idea.

Trod Nossel studios have been contacted and negotiations are underway to determine if the funds needed to produce a record can be raised. Current estimated are that the record would have a selling price of $2.00 or more in order to recoup the initial investment.

LINE UP

Dave Rude - vocals

Joel Robbins - guitar

Hope Hutman - bass

Mike Alexander - drums

DISCOGRAPHY

1981 - self titled 7” EP with picture sleeve, Middle Class Trendy Wave Production

Breaking Into The Pentagon Of Your Love/ Be Nice To Your President/Part Of You