The Pearls Before Swine

Tom Rapp 1972 There was not much available on the web about Tom Rapp and the Pearls Before Swine. Hence, this page. This section is a collection of odds and ends regarding Tom Rapp and/or The Pearls Before Swine. New entries are welcome!

To learn about Tom as a lawyer, read this fine article from The National Law Journal (July 6, 2001 issue)

Inquirer Magazine has published an article about Tom Rapp in 2000.

Another great article on Tom Rapp's life was published in the Washington Post in 1998 and is now available again. Read The Lawyer's Song, the story of the Tom Rapp. Thanks Philip Girnis!

A comprehensive website at Geocities dedicated to Tom Rapp and the Pearls Before Swine was prepared and maintained by Carl Edwards/ Harry Madison. Unfortunately this site is no longer available. The site used to contain an interview with Tom Rapp, lyrics, sound samples and lots of additional information. Luckely I managed to save the Lyrics section which is now available here in a new layout.

Tom Rapp did an acoustic set during Terrastock in Providence, RI USA during a weekend in April 1997. He was joined by his son and Nick Saloman of Bevis Frond during one song and the next day he sang a cover of a Dylan song with Damon and Naomi of Galaxy 500.
Is this his first step to a new musical career?.
For a very nice review of Terrastock check out The Ptolemaic Terrascope.

Also in 1998 Tom was present at Terrastock II. He sat in with Damon & Naomi on translucent carriages, and along with Batoh and Kurihara from the Japanese group Ghost. Members of the Alchemysts and Cul de Sac sat in on a couple of songs in Tom's show, as did Elisabeth (they sang Riegal, 1st show she has done in 28 years).

And Tom played a marvelous set at Terrastock III in London August 27-29 1999. His first European gig in more than 25 years. For more details and pictures see the Tom at Terrastock page.

Another set Tom did, together with his son David and Damon & Naomi, was at the Knitting Factory club in New York City on July 01, 1997. A successful gig judging from this New York Times review.

An interview with Tom Rapp held in 1993, is available from Dirty Linen #50 (feb./mar. '94). Here you can find interesting stories from Tom Rapp.

Another and more recent interview (1998) is available at the Tom Rapp 1998 interview page.

On Wednesday September 3 1997, it was showtime at the Threadwaxing Space, New York City, The The Magic Eye Show. This show was to celebrate the release of the Pearls Before Swine tribute CD 'For The Dead In Space', and the guestlist included Tom Rapp, Shy Camp, Ghost, Damon & Naomi, Sonic Youth and many others. Tom played many of his favorites including 'Translucent Carriages', 'Love/Sex' (together with David), 'Drop Out!', 'Rocket Man', 'These Things Too', 'Morning Song' 'The Riegal', and 'Another Time'. Tom's voice sounds stong (perhaps stronger) after the 25 odd years since the last PBS album came out, no signs of rust. Just listen to 'Hopelessly Romantic' on the tribute CD.
Amongst the guests were Richard Alderson, Wayne Harley and Warren Smith who were involved in the making of 'One Nation Underground' some 30 years ago!

Finally, here are some odds 'n' ends with additional photo material including a rare concert picture from 1973!

And here's your opportunity to send Tom a message of appreciation: pbswine@aol.com.

Tim Gadd originated a forum dedicated to PBS/Tom Rapp at Yahoo Clubs. Please feel free to join in.

oink..

Oh, gee
Wouldn't it be swell
If everyone was well