Oklahoma's only 'parted-hair hardcore' band, TALL TALES made odd original songs from 1987 to 1994, at a time when many bands' chief concern was whether to cover 'Slippery When Wet' or 'Nevermind.' Songs tended to be short, guitars undistorted, when solos were needed, they let the bass player do it. Themes ranged from apes with penises named 'Rachel' and MTV flip-offs to neolithic underachievers and cold-war woes.

It began, as many things do, with a four-track and some free time. In 1987, Dan Fallis and Rob Reid, who had played with previous bands (including inter-state collection of Okies and Arkansans) recruited drummer Chad Arnett (and his home-as-studio) and began recording songs like the autobiographical 'Ways to Stay.' Originally named the Flagburners, the band (joined by Asylum guitarist Stacy Lane on bass) played a high school talent show as Tall Tales: the set included two originals and a cover of Firehose's 'Brave Captain.' Chad's luster for rock soon wore off, and Dan and Rob robbed god's house fo