Th' Inbred
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Morgantown, West Virginia , United States |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
| Website | alternativetentacles |
Th' Inbred was a hardcore punk group originating from Morgantown, West Virginia. Their discography includes two full-length albums, A Family Affair and Kissing Cousins, alongside the EP Reproduction.
Origins
The band was initially formed with the unique concept of blending banjo sounds into punk music. Their lyrics offered a critical perspective on the punk communities they engaged with, drawing inspiration from Situationist theory and anarchist principles.
Th’ Inbred took shape within the alternative music venues The Underground Railroad and its adjacent all-ages space, The Dry House.
Career
Between 1984 and 1988, Th’ Inbred toured across the United States, performing alongside Raw Power from Italy and The Rhythm Pigs based in El Paso. They also shared stages with notable acts such as Corrosion of Conformity, The Dead Kennedys, The Circle Jerks, D.R.I., and Butthole Surfers.
Jello Biafra of Alternative Tentacles characterized their sound as "Bach meets Black Flag," while Raw Power’s drummer likened it to "the Rush of Hardcore."
The band’s vocalist, known as “Art Reco,” created punk flyers infused with political themes and horror elements; one of his designs was featured on the cover of the 2011 publication ‘Visual Vitriol, The Street Art and Subcultures of The Punk and Hardcore Generation.’
Their debut recording, Reproduction, was released through Frozen Sound with a limited pressing of 500 copies. Paul Mahern of Zero Boys produced their second album. The European release of Kissing Cousins was handled by Konkurrel Records. In 2009, Alternative Tentacles reissued their catalog, including previously unreleased tracks.
Th’ Inbred conveyed their political viewpoints through dynamic stage performances, such as the "Destroy All Monsters Gig," which incorporated film projections and classical music elements, along with satirical portrayals of hardcore icons like Henry Rollins.
In May 2013, three original members reunited with an additional musician for a two-day event celebrating 1980s bands from the Underground Railroad scene at 123 Pleasant Street.
Bobb Cotter (June 22, 1959 – February 8, 2020) died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Members
- Bob Cotter (Art Reco)—vocals, lyricist
- Bill Atwell III—drums
- Robert Bowers—guitar
- John ‘Duff’ McIntosh—bass guitar