On this Date in ST History

November 11, 1988

ST Pommes Frites & M16's Underway!

Baltimore's Civic Arena was the site last night of Situation Tranquil's opening show of their '88 North American Fall Tour. A sellout crowd of 14,445 gave a warm welcome to the band Germans call 'Ubermensch Wunderbar'.

From the opening strains of 'Moneyless Vault' all the way until the droning climax of "Your Mistakes are Right" the band was without technical or emotional fault. The 27-song set list was punctuated by KF Nibla's political rants in which he warned listeners of future problems in the middle east, soaring fuel costs, natural disasters, terrorism, the decline of the mullett, and the dawn of a new sound which he refered to simply as 'grunge'.

The crowd was like putty in his hands as he would end each rant with..."And now on with the show!" That's when the soaring guitars, shimmering synths and tribal drums would take turns changing the lives of those fortunate enough to be within ear shot. So powerful is ST's emotional hold on fans, that the East Coast School for the deaf was even in attendance. Not able to clearly hear the music, professor Dr. Maurice L. Noblong set up a highly sophisticated wave monitor to help his students enjoy the show.

"Believe it or not the wave forms created by ST's music are unlike anything I've ever seen." Wiping tears from his eyes the Dr. elaborated, "It's a beautiful thing. Art in its purest form. My students' lives are forever enhanced."

54 minutes into the show KF started a fire in the middle of the stage in which he forceably combused the shoes of everyone in attendance. "Man must not wear tools of his oppressor. Dig? Live free or die, that's what I say...but I gotta go now. We have a show and book signing in Cleveland." The crowd roared and burned the venue to the ground. No one was hurt.

Q and A with Markus K. Elman

Forever in the shadows, Markus K. Elman is perhaps the most important drummer in the history of recorded music. His signature 'Tunnel of Sound' (so coined by super producer Phil Spector) has forged the foundation of many a great Situation Tranquil song.

Today in an ST.com exclusive Markus subjects himself to the rigors of inquisition. Enjoy getting to know the enigma, a man of diverse interests and founder of new fetishes. We present for your approval Mr. Markus K. Elman:


ST.com: Favorite color?
MKE: Dark

ST.com: Last book read?
MKE: "Freezer Meat" by Jeffrey Dahmer.

ST.com: Best part of being a member of the Tranquil?
MKE: Unlimited cigarettes

ST.com: Pet peeve?
MKE: Genocide

ST.com: Lasting childhood memory?
MKE: September 17, 1971

ST.com: Something no one knows about you?
MKE: My true height

ST.com: Brother from another mother?
MKE: Jerry Lewis or Bill Moyers

ST.com: Finish this sentence "If I were king I would...."?
MKE: Force those who disagree with me into servitude to the upper classes.

ST.com: Last ST CD you listened to?
MKE: That's a toughie. I rarely listen to our own material, but if pressed I'd have to say "Monkey Logic for Masters of Chaos" or "Leaping Lizards are Learning Morse code"

ST.com: Favorite vacation spot?
MKE: Lambeau Field in June

ST.com: Sercret KF Nibla has told you?
MKE: That Pandas were a dna experiement in 11,ooo BC by visitors from the bottom of the Indian Ocean.

ST.com: Dr. Trash...boxers or briefs?
MKE: Funny you ask. He's quite fond of styrofoam.

ST.com: Last film you saw?
MKE: Deuce Bigelow...the original of course. The sequal was a disgrace. I can't believe that studio would so dishonor that fine work by releasing such trash.

ST.com: Favorite saying?
MKE: "My nightmares just force me to deny all memories of what my id percieves as false reality unless the voices inside my head were to podcast multimedia renditions of the old testiment to non believers or even those who quetion the validity of knowledge."

ST.com: Any final thoughts?
MKE: I like to play drums