Effective period / Period of releases: 1987 - 1992

Members: Dan Bitney, Tony Jarvis, Robin Davies (2), Jeremy Davies (2), Steve Lewis (6), Frank Buckly

The Tar Babies were a band from Madison, Wisconsin. The initial line up consisted of Bucky Pope (guitar), Dan Bitney (drums), and brothers Jeremy (vocals) and Robin (bass) Davies. Their early sound was an artsy-hardcore punk and the group released their music through their own Bone Air Records. In 1987, after Jeremy had departed, the remaining trio signed to SST Records and soon progressed into a streamlined funk/punk band. The band split in 1990 but reunited in 1992 for a one-off LP. Dan Bitney later resurfaced in Tortoise. In the early 2000s, Robin Davies and Bucky Pope reunited in a new band called the Bar Tabbies.