Like The B-52's, Pylon and R.E.M., Love Tractor has been lauded by critics and music historians as one of the founders of the Athens, Georgia, alternative rock scene.

Love Tractor toured extensively and recorded six critically acclaimed albums, consistently topping the college and alternative charts.

The band was formed in April 1980 by guitarists Mark Cline, Mike Richmond and bassist Armistead Wellford students at the University of Georgia.

The band played their first few gigs (including their debut on July 9 on Barber Street in Athens also known as Pylon Park)[2] with only a drum machine, but drummers Kit Swartz (formerly of The Side Effects) and Bill Berry (future R.E.M.

[3] Love Tractor originally performed only instrumental material, but minimal vocals from Richmond were added starting with their second album, Around the Bend.

When a vocal would float in for a few moments, it was just one more unassuming, thoroughly melodic piece of a song.After two albums, and a college-chart-topping cover of Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights" (from 1984's "Till The Cows Come Home" EP), the band signed to Big Time (America)/RCA, releasing This Ain't No Outerspace Ship in 1987.

[5] In 2005 the band released the album Black Hole via Fundamental Records, albeit with a substantially changed line up with only Mike Richmond remaining from the original members, and a new progressive rock-influenced sound, with King Crimson, Yes and Uriah Heep cited as reference points.