Vacuum Tree Head was the brainchild collaboration of composer/visual artist/ringmaster Jason Berry and composer/guitarist/trumpeter Mike De la Cuesta. The group started in 1989. Thomas Scandura joined the band in 1992 and resigned from his post in 2002.

VTH was a spin cycle of tangos, Peter Gunn, tablas, sheet metal, a little Dick Dale, a little Zappa, some big band funk, some Zeuhl, an occasional megaphone, and a few Spanish lyrics thrown in for good measure. The group released over a dozen CDs. Thomas plays on several of them. The recordings vary from composition to collage, live concerts and archived studio mayhem.

VTH had many low and high profile Bay Area shows over the years. Two of the most celebrated San Francisco performances were opening for Elliot Sharp at the DNA Lounge "back in the day" and sharing a bill with Hella at the Bottom of the Hill. In 2019 Vacuum Tree Head morphed into the band Nubdug Ensemble which features compositions by Jason Berry. Don't miss the chance to see them on the rare occasions when they perform outside of the studio. 

Vacuum Tree Head's lineup at 924 Gilman St. circa 2000:

Jason Berry: maestro, screams and contortions
Richard Barber: Bb clarinet, bassoon, theremin
Mike De la Cuesta: electric guitar, trumpet
Tom Corboline: electric bass guitar
Erika Fallin: electric guitar, flute
Lichi: vocals, DX7
Thomas Scandura: drums
Moe Staiano: metal percussion, rotto toms