Alice Donut

Alice Donut is a punk rock band that originated in New York City in 1986. Known for their eclectic mix of punk with elements of country, funk, and psychedelic noise, the band made a significant impact on the underground music scene during their early years. Over the course of a decade, they released six albums before disbanding in 1996. After a five-year hiatus, Alice Donut reformed in 2001 and continues to perform and release new music.

History

1986–1996: Formation to Split

Alice Donut was formed in 1986 by Ted Houghton, Tomas Antona, Dave Giffen, and Tom Meltzer, all of whom were part of the Columbia University band, The Sea Beasts. The name “Alice Donut” was initially much longer—Alice Donut Liver Henry Moore—a playful riff on the title of the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The name was eventually shortened to the more recognizable Alice Donut. Stephen Moses joined the band as the drummer, and their early performances quickly garnered attention at the legendary CBGB. Not long after, guitarist Michael Jung replaced Tom Meltzer, solidifying the band’s lineup.

Their first album, Donut Comes Alive, was released in 1988 under Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label. The album was followed in 1989 by Bucketfulls of Sickness and Horror in an Otherwise Meaningless Life, further establishing the band’s presence in the punk scene.

In August 1990, Alice Donut released their debut single, a cover of “My Boyfriend’s Back,” which preceded their third album, Mule. Released the following month, Mule was described by Trouser Press as “challenging and invigorating.” In 1991, they released Revenge Fantasies of the Impotent, which included an instrumental cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” and was later included in Andrew Earles’ book Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996. Before the year’s end, Austrian-born bassist Sissi Schulmeister joined the band, along with guitarist Richard Marshall.

Their fifth album, The Untidy Suicides of Your Degenerate Children, arrived in September 1992 and was noted by CD Review for its “peculiar mixture of ornate and wicked little bits about suicide, strippers, and a disgruntled ex-postal worker.” Although it took over three years for the band to release another studio album, they did release a (mostly) live album titled Dry-Humping the Cash Cow in 1994.

Alice Donut played their 1,000th show in London on November 25, 1995, and shortly thereafter, in February 1996, the band announced their split. During their active years from 1988 to 1996, Alice Donut toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, including a memorable performance at the Reading Festival in 1993.

After the band’s breakup, drummer Stephen Moses briefly joined the band Rasputina, while Tomas Antona and Sissi Schulmeister married and relocated to Durham, North Carolina.

Reunion

In 2001, Alice Donut reconvened, beginning to write and record new material. Their first release after the hiatus was Three Sisters in 2003, recorded as a four-piece with Tomas Antona on vocals, Michael Jung on guitar, Stephen Moses on drums, and Sissi Schulmeister on bass.

In 2006, guitarist Dave Giffen rejoined the band for the recording of Fuzz, which was produced at Brooklyn’s BC Studio with longtime collaborator Martin Bisi and released on September 5. The band continued their momentum with the release of their tenth studio album, Ten Glorious Animals, in September 2009, again under the Alternative Tentacles label.

In 2011, Alice Donut celebrated their 25th anniversary with the release of the documentary Freaks in Love. The following year, they released a compilation album also titled Freaks in Love. The band has continued to perform live on occasion, with notable shows in France in 2014 and at the Ottobar in Baltimore, MD, in 2017.

On November 11, 2016, Tomas Antona announced via Facebook that Alice Donut was in the process of writing a new album, though no release date was provided.

Musical Style

Alice Donut’s music has been characterized by a unique blend of punk with elements of country, funk, and psychedelic noise. AllMusic writer John Bush described their sound as “punk…with elements of oddball country and funk,” while Andrew Earles referred to it as “abstract metal.” The New Yorker highlighted the band’s “dadaist punk ensemble” style, describing their sound as “oddball psychedelic noise-rock with a spiky sense of humor.” Trouser Press compared the band to artists like Frank Zappa and Butthole Surfers, noting their mix of cacophonous punk and zany humor.

Discography

Demos

• Dork Me Bangladesh (1987)

Studio Albums

• Donut Comes Alive (1988), Alternative Tentacles
• Bucketfulls of Sickness and Horror in an Otherwise Meaningless Life (1989), Alternative Tentacles
• Mule (1990), Alternative Tentacles
• Revenge Fantasies of the Impotent (1991), Alternative Tentacles
• The Untidy Suicides of Your Degenerate Children (1992), Alternative Tentacles
• Pure Acid Park (1995), Alternative Tentacles
• Three Sisters (2004), Howler
• Fuzz (2006), Howler
• Ten Glorious Animals (2009), Alternative Tentacles

Live Albums

• Dry-Humping the Cash Cow (1994), Alternative Tentacles

Compilations

• Freaks in Love (2011), Alternative Tentacles
• Poof. (2013), MVD

Singles and EPs

• “My Boyfriend’s Back”/”Demonologist” 7″ (1990), Alternative Tentacles
• “Get A Life” 7″ (1990), Vital
• The Ass Trilogy 12″ (1991), Alternative Tentacles
• “Love Rollercoaster”/”Egg” (1991), Rave – split with Da Willys
• “Magdalene” 7″ (1992), Alternative Tentacles
• “Blood On The Tundra”/”Bottom Of The Chain” 7″ (1993), HeartFirst – split with Ice Princess
• “Medication” 7″ (1993), Alternative Tentacles
• “Nadine” 7″ (1994), Alternative Tentacles
• Michael Gerald’s Party Machine Presents 7″ (1996), Touch and Go – split with Killdozer
• “Free Electric State” 7″ (2010), 307 Knox – split with Free Electric State