Originally from San Francisco and eventually New York City, The Offs
were punk/funk band from the late 70's. The Offs
counted among their fans and friends numerous people in the downtown New York art/music scene, including artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, musician and actor Richard Edson
, who played trumpet with the band, and Glenn O'Brien
, the peripatetic chronicler of the scene for Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. In 1984, David Ferguson's label CD Presents released a full length album for the band called "The Offs First Record", with artwork by Basquiat
.The Offs were major players in the early days of the San Francisco punk rock scene. Their first record was a self-released 7" single featuring a cover of the Slickers' "Johnny Too Bad" with the Billy Hawk-penned "624803" on the B-side. Subsequent releases include the singles "Everyone's a Bigot" (which appeared on the Alternative Tentacles hardcore/art punk compilation Let Them Eat Jellybeans
) and "You Fascinate Me." Lead singer Don Vinil was known for his outrageous on-stage behavior. Fellow San Francisco punk group
, Dead Kennedys had their first show with the Offs in 1978. They frequently played at San Francisco's famed Mabuhay Gardens
.
made mostly instrumental Jangely, angular, rhythms with funky drum and bass beats. What makes 
stand apart from other art rock of the period was their emphasis or lack of emphasis on vocals. Because there was not a lot to reference at the time people often described them as arty surf rock, which is totally off base. I'm guessing it was attributed to the instrumental guitar-heavy sound. But make no bones about it, Love Tractor were an Art rock/Post-Punk band through and through. I prefer their first two albums which I found in the two dollar record bin at my local record store. If you dig around I bet you can score cheap copies of these too.
and like 
and 
., was recognized as a founder of the Athens, Georgia alternative rock scene. Love Tractor toured extensively and recorded five critically acclaimed albums during the 1980s—and was particularly known for their instrumental rock. (Source:wikipedia)