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Tone Set

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Tone Set
Also known asThe Art Farmers
Life Is Busy
Happy People
The Special Eds
OriginTempe, Arizona, U.S.
GenresSynth-pop, new wave, synthpunk
Years active1981–1983
LabelsVinyl on Demand, Pegna Records, Zia Records
Past membersGalen Herod
Greg Horn

Tone Set was an American synth-pop duo from Tempe, Arizona[1] formed by musicians Galen Herod and Greg Horn in 1981. Horn had previously played in the Indiana punk band Dow Jones and the Industrials[2] The two met working at the local TV station KAET.[3] Their early sound was very minimalist in style,[3] as evident by their instrumental 1982 debut Cal's Ranch. Later on, their music became increasingly pop-oriented, as shown by their follow-up Calibrate, which was self-released in February 1983 through their own Pegna Records imprint.

Although the band received local radio airplay,[3] as well as having the music video for the track "Life Is Busy" played on MTV and Cinemax,[4] the band met little to no fanfare. Tone Set would eventually cease to exist later in 1983, with both members going on to work on other projects. Galen Herod began a solo career[5] and started the band Galen Herod and the Skin People.[6] The duo would eventually work together again in the band Dumb But Happy, but they too broke up.[6]

During their existence, Tone Set performed shows[7] under names such as Life Is Busy, The Art Farmers, and The Special Eds.[8] They also contributed the track "Out! Out!" to the Placebo Records compilation Amuck under the name Happy People.[9][4] The group utilized synthesizers and electronic drum kits for their music,[10] and audio samples taken from films and radio ads were used frequently as well.[11]

Retrospectives have named Tone Set as one the 100 greatest rock bands in the Valley[1] and "Out, Out!" as one of the top 100 songs that define Arizona.[12] In 2016, Vinyl on Demand issued a four-disc discography vinyl boxset titled Such Heavy Conviction: Recordings 1981–1983 that included most recording made by the duo, including unreleased material.[13]

Discography

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  • Cal's Ranch (1982, Zia Records)
  • Calibrate (1983, Pegna Records)
  • Such Heavy Conviction: Recordings 1981–1983 (2016, Vinyl on Demand)

References

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  1. 1 2 Searleman, Eric (December 14, 2000). "The 100 best Valley rock bands". Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  2. ↑ https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/dow-jones-and-the-industrials-history
  3. 1 2 3 Wilson, Woody (October 12, 1983). "Seeking new roads to fame and riches". Arizona Replublic. p. 16 (City Life). Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  4. 1 2 n/a. "Tone Set Biography". forcedexposure.com. Forced Exposure. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  5. ↑ Wilson, Woody (July 18, 1984). "Funny business is good". Arizona Replublic. p. 9 (City Life). Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Simons, Ted (December 1, 1994). "King Herod Or Rock N' Roll Jester? Galen Herod Takes Another Jab At Quitting His Day Job". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Nighspots". Arizona Replublic. October 5, 1983. p. 16 (City Life). Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Local and listful". Phoenix New Times. December 27, 1989. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Tone Set – "Such Heavy Convictions, Recordings 1981-1983"". earlabs.org. EARLabs Studios. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  10. ↑ Kelly, Maura (September 2005). "Interview with Mark Mothersbaugh". The Believer. Archived from the original on November 23, 2005. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  11. ↑ Hansen, Chris (July 7, 2005). "Top 50 local rock songs". Get Out Magazine. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  12. ↑ Woodbury, Jason P. (February 9, 2012). "100 Years of Music That Defined Arizona". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  13. ↑ https://toneset.bandcamp.com/track/happy-bob
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