The Tubes is the first album by the Tubes. Songs which received significant airplay from this album include "What Do You Want from Life?" and "White Punks on Dope", the latter of which peaked at number 28 on the UK singles chart. The album was dedicated to Bob McIntosh and Tom Donahue, the former of whom had originally played with the band until his death in 1973.
Re Styles, who models on the front and back covers of the record sleeve, would join the band as a vocalist for the following three studio albums.