TAD was formed in early 1987 by Tad Doyle who previously was the second drummer in a band called Bundle of Hiss when he decided that he wanted to play guitar instead. Tad Doyle himself was previously the drummer for the Boise, Idaho band 'H-Hour' active in the early and mid-'80s, and had earlier played in a Gang of Four cover band called Red Set. Tad Doyle recruited bassist Kurt Danielson whom he played in Bundle of Hiss with, drummer Steve Wied (formerly of Skin Yard and Death and Taxes) and guitarist Gary Thorstensen to complete the original lineup.

TAD was among the first bands to be signed to Sub Pop Records and was possibly the first pioneer of what was to be later called grunge rock. In 1987, Tad Doyle released the Daisy/Ritual Device Single on Sub Pop, produced by seminal Seattle producer Jack Endino, in which he wrote and performed all music previous to putting the band together. Their debut album God's Balls appeared in early 1989 and was also produced by Jack Endino. In March 1990 they released the Salt Lick EP, recorded by Steve Albini. The single "Wood Goblins" was released in the same year, but was apparently banned by MTV. After a European tour with Nirvana, TAD returned to Seattle and recorded their second album 8-Way Santa (1991), named after a type of blotter acid. Produced by Butch Vig (better known for Nirvana's Nevermind after TAD had worked with Vig), the album was far more pop-oriented than its predecessors, featuring such songs as "Jinx", "Stumblin' Man" and "Jack P*psi". A lawsuit was filed due to the cover of 8-Way Santa (which was a found picture of a man fondling a woman's breast). The couple in the photograph, one of whom had since split up and remarried, took exception and sued. Sub Pop changed the album cover.

After a very brief acting stint in Singles, TAD were offered their first major-label opportunity by Giant Records. However, Steve Wied had left, joining Willard, and later Foil. Rey Washam (formerly of Scratch Acid and later Ministry) briefly filled on drums in 1991 but was later replaced by Josh Sinder, previously of the Accused. Sinder debuted with TAD on their last Sub-Pop release, the "Salem/Leper/Welt EP (which featured "Mud-Man", Josh's brother, on the cover). Their major label debut Inhaler, which is widely known as being one of the all time heaviest grunge albums to date, appeared later in the year to positive reviews. The record failed to break the band however, even though they were chosen to open for Soundgarden on their 1994 Superunknown tour. Giant Records quickly got cold feet and dropped the band when a poster promoting Inhaler surfaced featuring Bill Clinton smoking a joint with the caption reading "This is heavy shit".

In 1994, the band released Live Alien Broadcasts on Futurist Records, which was a best-of live studio recording. Thorstensen left but they secured a second major-label deal with EastWest/Elektra Records in 1995 releasing their fifth album Infrared Riding Hood. TAD were dropped again in 1996 when the album received disappointing sales although this was mainly due to poor promotion by the label who reportedly spent a whole whopping $650 on promotion. They continued to gig for the remainder of the year before Sinder left and was replaced on drums by Mike Mongrain of Foil. TAD's final single "Oppenheimer's Pretty Nightmare"/"Accident On The Way To Church" appeared in 1998 on Up Records. A year later the band dissolved.

Following TAD's breakup, Tad Doyle formed Hog Molly in 2001, releasing the album Kung-Fu Cocktail Grip late the same year. He later formed the band band Hoof who have yet to release any recordings. Tad's Current (2008) band Brothers of the Sonic Cloth has been playing to rave reviews in Seattle Night clubs. Kurt Danielson went on to join Valis, a project which included Van Connor of Screaming Trees. Josh Sinder has gone on to play drums in The Insurgence and also plays with Marky Felchtone from Zeke in new band Hellbound For Glory.

A documentary of the band titled "TAD: Busted Circuits and Ringing Ears" was released in February, 2008.

Look for a NEW TAD CD entitled The Final Recordings. This release will feature unheard recordings the band made before they broke up 1999 available on Floatation Records in the fall of 2008. ∞