Experimental musical theatre troupe the Blue Man Group was founded in 1987 by longtime friends Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton, and Chris Wink; identical in their blue-painted skin, skullcaps and black clothing, the trio soon became a fixture of the New York underground performance art scene thanks to their regular appearances in Central Park, followed by shows at noted East Village spaces including Dixon Place, Performance Space 122 and the Wooster Group's Performing Garage. Equal parts play, concert, and sketch routine, the Blue Man Group combined sight gags, physical stunts and audience participation, with members of the front rows given plastic rain ponchos as protection from the hail of paint, food and other assorted projectiles launched from the stage; in early 1991, they premiered their production Tubes at La MaMa, moving to the Astor Place Theater by the end of the year and ultimately winning an Obie Award for their efforts. Tubes eventually expanded to long runs in Boston, Chicago and Las Vegas; in 1999, the Blue Man Group also issued an album, Audio, spotlighting their custom musical instruments. Three year later, the trio inked a multi-album deal with Atlantic's sister label, Lava Records. The Complex, which appeared in April 2003, marked the Blue Man Group's monumental sophomore album - a slick effort showcasing impressive collaborations with Tracy Bonham, Dave Matthews, Dan the Automator and Esthero. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide