Burning The Ground Exclusive
When Bauhaus dissolved in 1983, guitarist Daniel Ash didn’t slow down. Along with Bauhaus drummer Kevin Haskins and bassist Glenn Campling, he formed Tones On Tail, a short-lived but unforgettable project that blurred the lines between post-punk, experimental art-rock, and dance music. The group’s output was small but wildly inventive, and two of their most defining tracks are “Lions” and “Go!”.
“Lions”
Originally released in 1983, “Lions” is moody and hypnotic, propelled by Glenn Campling’s looping bass figure and a tense, prowling groove. Daniel Ash’s understated, chant-like vocal delivery adds to the song’s nocturnal atmosphere. It’s a track that feels both minimal and expansive, a perfect reflection of Tones On Tail’s darker experimental side.
“Go!” (Club Mix)
The flipside of this 12″ is the explosive “Go! (Club Mix)”, a track that embodies Tones On Tail’s eccentric, playful streak. Built on a funky guitar hook, kinetic bass, and that unforgettable “Ya-ya-ya-ya-ya!” chant, the song became a cult club hit. The extended Club Mix stretches the madness further, making it a DJ favorite throughout the alternative dance scene of the mid-80s.
The 12″ Release
On May 11, 1984, Beggars Banquet issued a double A-sided 12″ single featuring “Lions” and “Go! (Club Mix)”. Pressed on striking translucent red vinyl, the release has become a collector’s piece, both for its rarity and for the sheer quality of the music it holds. This wasn’t just another single—it was a snapshot of a band at the peak of their creativity, balancing shadowy atmosphere with unhinged dancefloor energy.
Legacy
Tones On Tail only lasted from 1982 to 1984, but their music continues to resonate decades later. “Lions” prowls in mystery while “Go!” bursts with manic joy—together they capture the essence of a band that never wanted to play it safe. For fans of Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, or just adventurous alternative music, this 12″ stands as one of the most essential artifacts of the era.
SIDE A:
Lions 3:56
SIDE AA:
Go! (Club Mix) 4:28
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Beggars Banquet – BEG 109T, Beggars Banquet – BEG 109 T
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Red
Country: UK
Released: May 11, 1984
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Synth-pop, Post-Punk
CREDITS:
- Producer – Tones On Tail
- Written-By – Ash*, Campling*, K. Haskins*
NOTES:
Beggars Banquet
Manufactured in the UK
Pressed on RED Translucent Vinyl
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
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Wow – Tones On Tail making their debut here! The coolness of your music tastes just knows no bounds! This brought a smile to see pop up here.
I loved Love & Rockets too, so if you were ever able to post about them, that would be so welcome! I saw one past L&R post that’s not still available.
Thank you for all you do!
Completely new to me Paul! To me Lions has that John Lennon experimental quality from the White album era. Always great to learn and discover something new thanks to your stewardship my friend. Thank you Paul!
I love that comparison, Retro Hound—that’s a really sharp observation! Lions definitely has that same kind of hypnotic, experimental feel you’d hear on the White Album, where repetition and mood take over more than traditional song structure. That’s part of what makes Tones On Tail so fascinating—they weren’t afraid to walk that line between atmosphere and groove. Always glad when these posts open the door to something new for you, my friend. Thanks for listening and sharing your take!
This is a great track, really has that Bauhaus gritty sound too.
This 12″ is one of my treasured possessions, of course I had this for years but a few years back, must be about 8-9 years now, Moby was clearing out his vinyl and I bought his personal 12″ of this which he used to make Go. So this one really crosses the boundaries forming a bridge from darkwave post-punk to new wave to early rave…extra special this one.
Wow, Joey—that’s incredible! Owning Moby’s personal 12″ of this is beyond special, especially knowing it played a role in creating Go for a whole new generation. You’re right, this track really does act like a bridge—carrying that gritty Bauhaus edge forward, then leaping into the club and rave scenes. That’s the magic of it: one song connecting so many movements and moments in time. Definitely a treasure in every sense. Thanks for sharing that story—it adds a whole new layer of appreciation!
This is extremely cool, Joey! Way to go!!!
Jeff
AWESOME UPLOAD, Paul!!! THANK YOU!!!! If this song wasn’t already enough of a cult hit, Moby certainly took it to the next level. Moby’s “GO” is still one of the greatest EDM classics of all time. It would have been epic if MOBY ended up remixing Tones On Tail after the success of his sampled version. The Tones On Tail original always reminded me more of (the danceable side of) JOY DIVISION than Bauhaus! Great stuff as usual, Paul!
Thanks so much, Axel! 🙂 You nailed it—Moby really did take Go! to another level and introduced it to an entirely new crowd. I agree, a proper remix or collaboration between him and Tones On Tail would’ve been something epic to hear! Love your Joy Division comparison too—there’s definitely that same driving, danceable undercurrent mixed with the darker edge. Always appreciate your insights, my friend, and I’m glad you’re digging this one!
“Go!” is an L.A. alternative radio classic as well as a club stomper!
Totally with you on that, DJ XREY.
Many thanks!!! awesome stuff. love ToT as much as Love & Rockets and Peter Murphys’ solo efforts. Much appreciated Paul!
You’re very welcome 🙂
I knew of Tones On Tail right around the same time Love And Rockets Express came out. That time frame was a HUGE era of musical discovery! Of course, who didn’t love jamming out to GO!? Then a few years go by and Moby emerged on the rave scene with that timeless sample! That extended the party and brought us back to the source again as well! Great memories!
Absolutely, ING! That mid-to-late ’80s stretch was such an exciting time—so much new music and discovery happening all at once. Go! was definitely one of those tracks you couldn’t help but crank up, and you’re right, Moby’s sample in the ’90s gave it a whole new life and brought it back to the dancefloor for another generation. Love how certain songs just keep resurfacing like that—it really shows their timeless energy. Great memories indeed!
Paul, never heard of this group, but i always liked Bauhaus.
So this promises to be another cool discovery, one of several
that i got to know thanks to your sharing such awesome tunes.
Looking forward to it, obliged.
peace,
dj
Thanks, Don! If you’re into Bauhaus, I think you’ll really enjoy Tones On Tail. Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins definitely carried over some of that dark edge, but they also pushed into quirkier, more playful territory—Go! especially shows that side. Always makes me happy to hear these posts turn into new discoveries for you. Appreciate you listening and sharing the journey! Peace back at you.
Far Out, Paul! You’re talking my favorite kind of music here! I love these cult club classics you dig up for us! I had no idea that this band rose up from the ashes of Bauhaus! Cool beans! I discovered the song, “Go!” on a compilation a few years ago and also was made first aware of the song as a sample on the great techno track by Moby. Called, “Go”, this was also an essential jam!!
Thank you, Paul, for this tune. Folks here are going to love it! You have excellent tastes!!
Jeff
Far out, Jeff! 🙂 g I’m so glad this one hit the sweet spot for you. Tones On Tail really were one of those short-lived but unforgettable bands—born right out of the Bauhaus split, but with their own quirky, experimental streak. Go! has had such a wild life, from cult club classic to being reimagined by Moby on the rave scene. Love how music like this just keeps coming back around. Thanks for the kind words, my friend—always makes sharing these gems even more fun!