Tar

Emerging from Chicago's underground milieu in the late eighties and early nineties, Tar delivered a ferocious mix of abrasive noise rock and post-hardcore punk, taking cues from regional benchmarks such as Big Black and Naked Raygun. Their approach also incorporated earlier punk acts including the Sex Pistols, Stooges, and New York Dolls, while later stages brought frequent comparisons to heavier noise outfits like Helmet and the Jesus Lizard. The group's dense, weighty guitar layers and bleak dissonance mirrored their chosen name, just as their rejection of commercial appeal or major-label interest mirrored the ethos of the environment that shaped them. Following multiple releases on steadfast independents Touch & Go and Amphetamine Reptile, the members chose to disband after what many considered their strongest recording.

Tar's roots trace to the hardcore punk group Blatant Dissent, assembled in DeKalb, Illinois, during the university years of singer/guitarist John Mohr and drummer Mike Greenlees at Northern Illinois University. The pair moved to Chicago in 1988 and recast the project as the more demanding Tar, adding guitarist Mark Zablocki and bassist Tim Mescher. Mohr issued the debut 7", "Play to Win" b/w "Mel's," on his own No Blow imprint, after which the band secured a deal with Amphetamine Reptile. Their first proper release arrived as the 1989 EP Handsome, with half the tracks recorded by acknowledged influence Steve Albini; a follow-up 7", "Flow Plow" b/w "Hand," came next.

The band's initial full-length, Roundhouse, surfaced in 1990 and displayed greater confidence in their approach. Bassist Mescher departed in early 1991, with Tom Zaluckyj stepping in. The "Solution 8" single appeared soon after, followed by the second album Jackson, on which Mohr emerged as a more commanding vocalist. Tar then switched from Amphetamine Reptile to Touch & Go, debuting on the new label with the 1992 single "Teetering"; a split 7" with Dischord emo heroes Jawbox arrived immediately afterward. The 1993 Clincher EP edged toward the grungier aspects of electric Neil Young, a direction that persisted on the full-length Toast, issued later the same year.

Tar supported Toast with tours across the U.S. and Europe, though the European portion proved difficult. Concluding that enjoyment had faded, the members decided to part ways after completing one final album. Over and Out appeared in 1995 and earned widespread praise as the peak of their output, owing to its expanded range. Following the breakup, Zaluckyj and Greenlees formed Luckyj, which never issued any material. Greenlees also performed in Ex-Chittle alongside former Dis- member Rob Sieracki. Zaluckyj briefly played with the B-52s' Fred Schneider and later served as an engineer at Steve Albini's studio.