[COMMENTARY] Mr. Tambourine Head's Return

I don't know how I feel about this, honestly. He's done this before. Popped up, only to forsake us yet again.

Ah yes, friends. Recall the spring of 1992. April to be exact. I still have the letters, citing reasons for departure: Helena, Miya, all the old dreck - but never stating the real reasons of his leaving: the real two girlfriends, the wenches known as Friendless Jim and Danless Loyd.

But alas! Spring of 1993! Mr. Tambourine Head cowers back to the fold. We welcome him, surely. I remember a slouched over Tambourine Head at the bar at Zelda's, berated by Incest. "Dude, you are crazy for leaving after this show. What is wrong with you? Are you afraid of success?"

I was summoned up to talk to him shortly after. I tried the same sort of berating. And to no avail. Mr. Tambourine Head, are you really so mean?

It was a sad day indeed, as the populace witnessed Dead Yeti move from their roots into a seedy pit of speed metal and long hair. Oh the fame came in by the avalanches, but was it all worth it?

Mr. Tambourine Head, was it worth it to you? To be torn between 2 girlfriends (Helena and Miya) and simultaneously between 2 girls (Friendless and Danless)? All that for what, for the continuation and fingers-crossed-success of bodymindsoul? Or was it Indecision? Dark Harmony? Two Weeks Time? Or the real whore of them all, the Memorial High School Jazz Band?

Oh me. It's all a blur; all the smoky nights, the adulation of crowds and the relentless attack of sunburst Les Pauls. Where do we go from here?

Are you sure you're ready, Mr. Tambourine Head? Are you sure you can come back and face the Yeti? We hope so. We hope so.



Mr. Tambourine Head circa 1992