Thunders interview with Ryan Reidy
Get some fun in your life.
Get some Thunders. With all of
the “goodtime” bands that have popped up over the past few years, filtering pop
and garage rock through a lo-fi ear and simmering it down to a sludge of
toasted, gnarly solos and crunchy riffage there’s been some real scum rise to
the surface. You know that gritty sludge
at the bottom of your coffee cup? That
last sip you take in the morning before you head out the door that looks it’s
going to taste like crap, but puts that extra pep in your step that delivers
you home safely that very night? That’s
Thunders. There’re no frills or bullshit
here, Thunders is wholly uninterested in impressing you or making you think that
they’re cool. There’s no style over
substance going on here. Instead, they’ve
aimed their sites much higher, at the lofty goal of simply making good
music. You don’t hear albums that fit
together like puzzle pieces, snug and tight at the edges, like they do on Weird
Spines White Trash Whatever, these days.
Thunders seem like the kind of band that would bang your sister in the
other room when you have them over to crash on your couch while the other bands
are still posing and preening in the living room trying to make an
impression. The bands newest full-length
effort Weird Spines White Trash Whatever, this time for the ever killer Maximum
Pelt label out of Chicago who released the Hollow Mountain demo cassette,
simply furthers the evidence that Thunders is here to kick ass and chew bubble
gum, and that right now, they’re all out of bubble gum… Starting with face melters, “Noasis” and
“Women” Weird Spines White Trash Whatever almost reminds me of what JEFF The
Brotherhood used to sound like, or at least what they were supposed to sound
like. And there’s no doubt that Ryan
Reidy successfully channels the hell out of Cobain all over this thing. Growing up in Southern Illinois you hear the
term ‘white trash’ bandied about quite a bit, and it’s often misused outside of
the filthy cow pastures and chocking coal dust that is my state. Thunders earn the shit out of it,
though. They work for every letter of
the word, and for all the bands out there right now trying to act like it’s
cool they came out of a trailer park, Thunders is simply the real fucking
deal. Tortured walls of fuzzy distortion
crash and buckle against the garbled screamed vocal melodies grating the
crushing thunder of bass and the swirl of trashcan drums, creating a blistering
amalgam of pain and pleasure, ecstasy and immolation. I’m not sure how else to describe the
whirlwind of sound and fury that is Thunders to people who’ve never heard them
before. I think it’s the kind of thing
you just have to experience for yourself first hand, luckily It’s Psychedelic
Baby Magazine is here to make that happen for you. There’s links for music below, plenty of info
for the uninitiated to follow and as always, it’s psychedelic as hell, so what
are you waiting for? Dig in!!!
Get some Thunders. With all of
the “goodtime” bands that have popped up over the past few years, filtering pop
and garage rock through a lo-fi ear and simmering it down to a sludge of
toasted, gnarly solos and crunchy riffage there’s been some real scum rise to
the surface. You know that gritty sludge
at the bottom of your coffee cup? That
last sip you take in the morning before you head out the door that looks it’s
going to taste like crap, but puts that extra pep in your step that delivers
you home safely that very night? That’s
Thunders. There’re no frills or bullshit
here, Thunders is wholly uninterested in impressing you or making you think that
they’re cool. There’s no style over
substance going on here. Instead, they’ve
aimed their sites much higher, at the lofty goal of simply making good
music. You don’t hear albums that fit
together like puzzle pieces, snug and tight at the edges, like they do on Weird
Spines White Trash Whatever, these days.
Thunders seem like the kind of band that would bang your sister in the
other room when you have them over to crash on your couch while the other bands
are still posing and preening in the living room trying to make an
impression. The bands newest full-length
effort Weird Spines White Trash Whatever, this time for the ever killer Maximum
Pelt label out of Chicago who released the Hollow Mountain demo cassette,
simply furthers the evidence that Thunders is here to kick ass and chew bubble
gum, and that right now, they’re all out of bubble gum… Starting with face melters, “Noasis” and
“Women” Weird Spines White Trash Whatever almost reminds me of what JEFF The
Brotherhood used to sound like, or at least what they were supposed to sound
like. And there’s no doubt that Ryan
Reidy successfully channels the hell out of Cobain all over this thing. Growing up in Southern Illinois you hear the
term ‘white trash’ bandied about quite a bit, and it’s often misused outside of
the filthy cow pastures and chocking coal dust that is my state. Thunders earn the shit out of it,
though. They work for every letter of
the word, and for all the bands out there right now trying to act like it’s
cool they came out of a trailer park, Thunders is simply the real fucking
deal. Tortured walls of fuzzy distortion
crash and buckle against the garbled screamed vocal melodies grating the
crushing thunder of bass and the swirl of trashcan drums, creating a blistering
amalgam of pain and pleasure, ecstasy and immolation. I’m not sure how else to describe the
whirlwind of sound and fury that is Thunders to people who’ve never heard them
before. I think it’s the kind of thing
you just have to experience for yourself first hand, luckily It’s Psychedelic
Baby Magazine is here to make that happen for you. There’s links for music below, plenty of info
for the uninitiated to follow and as always, it’s psychedelic as hell, so what
are you waiting for? Dig in!!!
Now, I know you al
have been around for a while. What’s the
lineup in Thunders right now? Is this
the original lineup or have there been any changes as far as that goes since
you all started?
have been around for a while. What’s the
lineup in Thunders right now? Is this
the original lineup or have there been any changes as far as that goes since
you all started?
Right now, the band is just me and Mike. We had a dude, Donny Walsh sitting in on bass
for us on our last tour, but he hasn’t played on any recordings. We’ve really only had a revolving cast of
dudes on bass, including Duncan Kissinger and Tyler Watkins. A few years ago Brian Allen and John Zeps
played bass.
for us on our last tour, but he hasn’t played on any recordings. We’ve really only had a revolving cast of
dudes on bass, including Duncan Kissinger and Tyler Watkins. A few years ago Brian Allen and John Zeps
played bass.
Are any of you
currently in any other bands or do you have any active side projects going on?
currently in any other bands or do you have any active side projects going on?
This is my main number one musical thing. I was playing bass in a Prince cover band
with some folks I lived with, though.
with some folks I lived with, though.
Have you released
any music with anyone in the past besides Thunders? If so, can you tell us a bit about that?
any music with anyone in the past besides Thunders? If so, can you tell us a bit about that?
The first real band I was in that released anything and
toured was called Revel In The Morning and I was nineteen years old. From the ages of twenty to twenty two I was
in a band called ari.ari with members of Burnt Ones and We Are Hex.
toured was called Revel In The Morning and I was nineteen years old. From the ages of twenty to twenty two I was
in a band called ari.ari with members of Burnt Ones and We Are Hex.
How old are you
and where are you originally from?
and where are you originally from?
I’m 30 years old and originally from Hartford City, Indiana.
What was the local
music scene like where you grew up? Did
you get very involved in that scene when you were younger or did you see a lot
of shows? Do you feel like that scene
played a large or important role in forming your musical tastes or shaping the
way that you perform at this point?
music scene like where you grew up? Did
you get very involved in that scene when you were younger or did you see a lot
of shows? Do you feel like that scene
played a large or important role in forming your musical tastes or shaping the
way that you perform at this point?
There really wasn’t a music scene where I grew up, just a
group of a few people that really liked music and owned instruments. In retrospect, we really didn’t have much in
common besides geographic proximity, access to musical instruments, free time
and understanding parents. We would
generally get together, write a setlist of material, and maybe play one or two
shows before disbanding, but every band usually involved the same group of
people in some way or another. I don’t
really feel like those experiences really shaped my musical tastes or
performance in my life, though. I didn’t
really get into a music scene until I went to college at Ball State University
in 2002. I was extremely lucky to have
met people there who were passionate about music, and were committed and
ambitious enough to play shows out of town and release music. I would say that experience has absolutely
shaped my life moving forward.
group of a few people that really liked music and owned instruments. In retrospect, we really didn’t have much in
common besides geographic proximity, access to musical instruments, free time
and understanding parents. We would
generally get together, write a setlist of material, and maybe play one or two
shows before disbanding, but every band usually involved the same group of
people in some way or another. I don’t
really feel like those experiences really shaped my musical tastes or
performance in my life, though. I didn’t
really get into a music scene until I went to college at Ball State University
in 2002. I was extremely lucky to have
met people there who were passionate about music, and were committed and
ambitious enough to play shows out of town and release music. I would say that experience has absolutely
shaped my life moving forward.
What about your
home? Was there a lot of music around
your house growing up? Were either of
your parents or any of your close relatives musicians or extremely interested
or involved in music?
home? Was there a lot of music around
your house growing up? Were either of
your parents or any of your close relatives musicians or extremely interested
or involved in music?
My mom playing Steely Dan’s “Aja” quite a bit
whenever she would do some cleaning here and there. My dad didn’t really own many CDs, and the
story I heard was that his ex-wife had burned all of his records when he moved out. But neither of them owned instruments, or
ever played them. My Uncle Chris owned
some guitars and stuff, but I don’t think he really formed long lasting bands
that played shows. My maternal
grandmother was the first person I knew that owned a guitar and my mom says
there’s a 7-inch around that she played on, but I haven’t seen it. She passed away when I was quite young and
all my memories of her are fading, so I don’t know if I ever actually heard her
play, which is sad. I think that her
just having a guitar contributed to my obsession with guitar as a kid, though.
whenever she would do some cleaning here and there. My dad didn’t really own many CDs, and the
story I heard was that his ex-wife had burned all of his records when he moved out. But neither of them owned instruments, or
ever played them. My Uncle Chris owned
some guitars and stuff, but I don’t think he really formed long lasting bands
that played shows. My maternal
grandmother was the first person I knew that owned a guitar and my mom says
there’s a 7-inch around that she played on, but I haven’t seen it. She passed away when I was quite young and
all my memories of her are fading, so I don’t know if I ever actually heard her
play, which is sad. I think that her
just having a guitar contributed to my obsession with guitar as a kid, though.
What do you
consider your first real exposure to music to be?
consider your first real exposure to music to be?
I can’t really pinpoint that, because I can’t remember a
time in my life where it wasn’t either the main thing in my life, or a huge
part of my life. My mom has video of me
as a two or three year old singing the Rice Krispies theme song on a flexi that
came with the cereal into the handle of a vacuum cleaner at my aforementioned
grandmother’s house. I guess because the
handle looked like a microphone? I
actually have memories of that. I wasn’t
tall enough to sing into the handle, it faced the wrong way when I stood on the
vacuum itself, and the handle was too heavy when it was unlocked. Being a kid is rough, ha-ha!
time in my life where it wasn’t either the main thing in my life, or a huge
part of my life. My mom has video of me
as a two or three year old singing the Rice Krispies theme song on a flexi that
came with the cereal into the handle of a vacuum cleaner at my aforementioned
grandmother’s house. I guess because the
handle looked like a microphone? I
actually have memories of that. I wasn’t
tall enough to sing into the handle, it faced the wrong way when I stood on the
vacuum itself, and the handle was too heavy when it was unlocked. Being a kid is rough, ha-ha!
If you were to
pick a moment, a moment that seemed to change everything for you and opened
your eyes up to the infinite possibilities that music presents, what would it
be?
pick a moment, a moment that seemed to change everything for you and opened
your eyes up to the infinite possibilities that music presents, what would it
be?
I think it happened when I was eight or nine years old and
my mom was cleaning the living room. My
dad had a component stereo system that had been taken a part for some reason,
and I volunteered to wire it all back up.
To test to see if I did a good job, I picked one CD out of my dad’s
collection, that I guess had the coolest cover art and it turned out to be Led
Zeppelin IV. “Black Dog” kind
of blew my mind that day.
my mom was cleaning the living room. My
dad had a component stereo system that had been taken a part for some reason,
and I volunteered to wire it all back up.
To test to see if I did a good job, I picked one CD out of my dad’s
collection, that I guess had the coolest cover art and it turned out to be Led
Zeppelin IV. “Black Dog” kind
of blew my mind that day.
When did you
decide that you first wanted to start writing and performing your own music and
what brought that decision about for you?
Or was that just sort of a natural progression that occurred as a result
of being given an outlet to create and express your self?
decide that you first wanted to start writing and performing your own music and
what brought that decision about for you?
Or was that just sort of a natural progression that occurred as a result
of being given an outlet to create and express your self?
I got my first guitar when I was twelve. I remember wanting to write music
immediately, but I didn’t have the knowledge of the music enough to be able to
really write anything down. So, after I
learned a few simple Nirvana songs and the chord names I started writing
songs. Every one of those songs had G, C
and D in them because they were the only ones I knew by name.
immediately, but I didn’t have the knowledge of the music enough to be able to
really write anything down. So, after I
learned a few simple Nirvana songs and the chord names I started writing
songs. Every one of those songs had G, C
and D in them because they were the only ones I knew by name.
What was your
first instrument? When and how did you
get that?
first instrument? When and how did you
get that?
I got an electric guitar when I was twelve. It was the summer of 1997. My mom had a bunch of doors in the house she
wanted stripped and stained, so I offered to do the work if she would buy me
this fifty dollar guitar this older kid was selling. It was an Epiphone Strat copy, and actually,
I still use most of that guitar today; at least the body anyway.
wanted stripped and stained, so I offered to do the work if she would buy me
this fifty dollar guitar this older kid was selling. It was an Epiphone Strat copy, and actually,
I still use most of that guitar today; at least the body anyway.
How and when did
the members of Thunders meet?
the members of Thunders meet?
Mike and I met at a recording studio in Indianapolis when
his old band, Hotfox, was recording with Tyler Watkins, who has since joined as
a fill-in bass player, in 2010.
his old band, Hotfox, was recording with Tyler Watkins, who has since joined as
a fill-in bass player, in 2010.
What led to the
formation of Thunders and when would that have been?
formation of Thunders and when would that have been?
Well, the band originally formed, I guess in 2008? I had some other brief lineups to play some
songs I had written as far back as 2007, but I didn’t keep any of those
songs. It started with my friends Tony
Beemer, Brian Allen, and Mark Tester. I
had written a bunch of tunes and recorded them, and wanted to start being in a
band again after I finished college and turned down law school. They were, still are actually, nice guys that
I liked and we started playing.
songs I had written as far back as 2007, but I didn’t keep any of those
songs. It started with my friends Tony
Beemer, Brian Allen, and Mark Tester. I
had written a bunch of tunes and recorded them, and wanted to start being in a
band again after I finished college and turned down law school. They were, still are actually, nice guys that
I liked and we started playing.
The name fits your
music pretty damned well in my opinion, chaotic and thunderous at times I’m
curious what Thunders means or refers to in the context of your band name? Who came up with it and how did you all go
about choosing it?
music pretty damned well in my opinion, chaotic and thunderous at times I’m
curious what Thunders means or refers to in the context of your band name? Who came up with it and how did you all go
about choosing it?
The original name of the band as I conceived it was
“Sisters”, but there were bands from Brooklyn and Portland, Oregon
that already had the name, so we opted to change it. As best as I can remember, Tony Beemer suggest
something that was similar to another name he used, “thunder [something]
God boom” I think, and all I added was to make it plural, because it made
no sense. Tony’s not in the band any
more and I’m kind of saddled with that name at this point. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll play under
it, though. I don’t know. But it certainly wasn’t an intentional thing
to name the band that, or to reflect the name in our sound, although I have
heard this many, many times. I would say
that the chaotic element of our sound comes from a pretty organic part of turning
songs that I write on an unplugged electric guitar in to songs you play with
other people standing up. I like noise
parts and have always been a little obsessed with the sonic possibilities of
the electric guitar. I used to make
noise collages on my talk boy when I was a kid.
“Sisters”, but there were bands from Brooklyn and Portland, Oregon
that already had the name, so we opted to change it. As best as I can remember, Tony Beemer suggest
something that was similar to another name he used, “thunder [something]
God boom” I think, and all I added was to make it plural, because it made
no sense. Tony’s not in the band any
more and I’m kind of saddled with that name at this point. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll play under
it, though. I don’t know. But it certainly wasn’t an intentional thing
to name the band that, or to reflect the name in our sound, although I have
heard this many, many times. I would say
that the chaotic element of our sound comes from a pretty organic part of turning
songs that I write on an unplugged electric guitar in to songs you play with
other people standing up. I like noise
parts and have always been a little obsessed with the sonic possibilities of
the electric guitar. I used to make
noise collages on my talk boy when I was a kid.
Where’s Thunders
located at these days? What’s the local
music scene like where you’re at?
located at these days? What’s the local
music scene like where you’re at?
I currently reside in my hometown again until I relocate to
Los Angeles at the end of the year, and Mike has always lived in Indianapolis,
except for a year in Bloomington, Indiana when he attended IU (Indiana University). There’s no scene here
outside of pill poppers and gas stations.
I’m not entirely sure what involvement Mike has in the Indianapolis
music scene, but his roommate, Kevin, is a rapper.
Los Angeles at the end of the year, and Mike has always lived in Indianapolis,
except for a year in Bloomington, Indiana when he attended IU (Indiana University). There’s no scene here
outside of pill poppers and gas stations.
I’m not entirely sure what involvement Mike has in the Indianapolis
music scene, but his roommate, Kevin, is a rapper.
Are you very
involved in the local scene in your opinion?
Do you book or attend a lot of local shows or anything?
involved in the local scene in your opinion?
Do you book or attend a lot of local shows or anything?
When I lived in Chicago I helped book shows at Wally World,
the house I lived in, but I’ve never really been super involved outside of
playing shows and sometimes going to other people’s shows.
the house I lived in, but I’ve never really been super involved outside of
playing shows and sometimes going to other people’s shows.
Do you feel like
the local scene has played an integral role in the sound, history or evolution
of Thunders, or do you feel like you all would be doing what you’re doing and
sound basically like you do regardless of where you were at and stuff?
the local scene has played an integral role in the sound, history or evolution
of Thunders, or do you feel like you all would be doing what you’re doing and
sound basically like you do regardless of where you were at and stuff?
I would say that I would be doing what I’m doing
regardless. I’m not a huge “local
scene” guy. I like touring and
putting out records, and when I’m not doing that I like to relax in a quiet
place. The social aspect of being in a
band is kind of a mystery to me.
regardless. I’m not a huge “local
scene” guy. I like touring and
putting out records, and when I’m not doing that I like to relax in a quiet
place. The social aspect of being in a
band is kind of a mystery to me.
Are you involved
in recording or releasing any music besides your own at all? If so, can you tell us briefly about that
here?
in recording or releasing any music besides your own at all? If so, can you tell us briefly about that
here?
I helped engineer and mix the record Don’t by my old roommate’s band EGO, but I don’t really have much aspiration to do that as,
like, a living or anything.
like, a living or anything.
You all have a
sweet combination of sounds going on where you pick up random stuff from
wherever you want to and take it with you combining it with over stuff and
making this whole new thing out of it all!
Who are some of your personal major musical influences?
sweet combination of sounds going on where you pick up random stuff from
wherever you want to and take it with you combining it with over stuff and
making this whole new thing out of it all!
Who are some of your personal major musical influences?
Hmmm, I think about music creation on purely conceptual
terms, but I like Nirvana and the Beatles a lot. I like Guided By Voices, too. The Replacements, Bikini Kill, Prince. Really, anything that’s good. It’s varied in terms of genre, but as long as
it’s good I’ll listen to it. I like a
lot of contemporary pop music like Katy Perry and this one Charli XCX song,
too. Oh yeah, Sonic Youth is big for me,
too, and Dinosaur Jr. I feel like I
could make a rather lengthy list here.
terms, but I like Nirvana and the Beatles a lot. I like Guided By Voices, too. The Replacements, Bikini Kill, Prince. Really, anything that’s good. It’s varied in terms of genre, but as long as
it’s good I’ll listen to it. I like a
lot of contemporary pop music like Katy Perry and this one Charli XCX song,
too. Oh yeah, Sonic Youth is big for me,
too, and Dinosaur Jr. I feel like I
could make a rather lengthy list here.
What about
influences on the band as a whole rather than just individually?
influences on the band as a whole rather than just individually?
There for awhile, I just wanted the band to be kind of a
drunken shit show like the worst kind of stories about the Replacements and
Guided By Voices, and we did that for a bit, but I think it’s changing a little
now. I’m not sure where the band is
going right now or what it’s going to sound like in the future. We’ll see.
The main thing Mike and I try to do is just write good songs that have
pretty simple structures with loud parts and quiet parts, and really maximize
the potential of the song and be creative as possible. I know that sounds both vague and obvious,
but I had this realization listening to the Beatles where I was like “Man,
the idea’s just never end” and it’s not just parts repeating for two
minutes. Plus bridges, bridges are huge.
drunken shit show like the worst kind of stories about the Replacements and
Guided By Voices, and we did that for a bit, but I think it’s changing a little
now. I’m not sure where the band is
going right now or what it’s going to sound like in the future. We’ll see.
The main thing Mike and I try to do is just write good songs that have
pretty simple structures with loud parts and quiet parts, and really maximize
the potential of the song and be creative as possible. I know that sounds both vague and obvious,
but I had this realization listening to the Beatles where I was like “Man,
the idea’s just never end” and it’s not just parts repeating for two
minutes. Plus bridges, bridges are huge.
Like I was saying
you all have a really cool sound and whenever I do these interviews I
inevitably have to describe how a band sounds to a bunch of people who’ve never
heard them before. It’s a daunting task
to say the least. I always feel like I’m
putting way too many of my own thoughts and perceptions into there. How would you describe Thunders’ sound to our
readers who might not have heard you before in your own words?
you all have a really cool sound and whenever I do these interviews I
inevitably have to describe how a band sounds to a bunch of people who’ve never
heard them before. It’s a daunting task
to say the least. I always feel like I’m
putting way too many of my own thoughts and perceptions into there. How would you describe Thunders’ sound to our
readers who might not have heard you before in your own words?
Pop song structures with noise.
What’s the
songwriting process like for Thunders?
Is there someone who usually comes to the rest of the band with a riff
or a more finished idea for a song to work out with the rest of the band as a
whole or do you all just get together and kick of kick ideas back and forth
until you’ve come up with something that you’re interested in working on?
songwriting process like for Thunders?
Is there someone who usually comes to the rest of the band with a riff
or a more finished idea for a song to work out with the rest of the band as a
whole or do you all just get together and kick of kick ideas back and forth
until you’ve come up with something that you’re interested in working on?
I write everything in the band. Then, I bring it to Mike and he interprets
the drum parts I’ve come up with and incorporate whatever else he wants. I know it might sound super micromanaging,
but there’s a lot of space in the songs for people to do whatever they
want. The songs I send people are rough
sketches to be interpreted, and besides, when people play what they want it
usually sounds better anyway. We also
barely rehearse; this year we’ve played together less than ten times outside of
shows. So, doing a lot of the leg work
on my own kind of stream lines the process.
Especially since Mike and I have never lived in the same city.
the drum parts I’ve come up with and incorporate whatever else he wants. I know it might sound super micromanaging,
but there’s a lot of space in the songs for people to do whatever they
want. The songs I send people are rough
sketches to be interpreted, and besides, when people play what they want it
usually sounds better anyway. We also
barely rehearse; this year we’ve played together less than ten times outside of
shows. So, doing a lot of the leg work
on my own kind of stream lines the process.
Especially since Mike and I have never lived in the same city.
What about
recording? I know recording can be
extremely difficult on bands and while most people can appreciate the end
result of all the time and effort that goes into making an album when you’re
holding that finished product in your hands, getting to that point, getting
things to sound the way you want them to, especially as a band, can be
extremely difficult to say the least.
What’s it like recording for Thunders?
recording? I know recording can be
extremely difficult on bands and while most people can appreciate the end
result of all the time and effort that goes into making an album when you’re
holding that finished product in your hands, getting to that point, getting
things to sound the way you want them to, especially as a band, can be
extremely difficult to say the least.
What’s it like recording for Thunders?
It’s actually a pretty simple process. After Mike and I have had a couple practices
and Mike’s happy with what he wants to do on drums, I get my recording
equipment and record. Usually, we do the
songs and then make up stuff on the spot to make it fun and creative for both
of us, too. Then, I take the tape home,
dump it on my computer, and I put everything on top of Mike’s drums. On our last record, Weird Spines White Trash
Whatever, there are, I think, three songs that are the first time, and maybe
only?, time we’ve ever played them. But,
getting the parts down with Mike is by far the easiest part of the
process. I typically have a meltdown
while finishing the recordings, but I’m beginning to realize it’s a fairly
common thing for most people when working on a project. I just consider it one, among many, steps of
completing a project. At least, I
currently feel that way about what I’m doing right now.
and Mike’s happy with what he wants to do on drums, I get my recording
equipment and record. Usually, we do the
songs and then make up stuff on the spot to make it fun and creative for both
of us, too. Then, I take the tape home,
dump it on my computer, and I put everything on top of Mike’s drums. On our last record, Weird Spines White Trash
Whatever, there are, I think, three songs that are the first time, and maybe
only?, time we’ve ever played them. But,
getting the parts down with Mike is by far the easiest part of the
process. I typically have a meltdown
while finishing the recordings, but I’m beginning to realize it’s a fairly
common thing for most people when working on a project. I just consider it one, among many, steps of
completing a project. At least, I
currently feel that way about what I’m doing right now.
Do you all prefer
to take a more DIY approach to recording where you handle the technical aspects
of things mostly on your own so that you don’t have to work with or compromise
on the sound with anyone else? Or, do
you all like to head into a studio and let someone else handle that side of
things so you can just concentrate on getting the best sound and performances
as possible?
to take a more DIY approach to recording where you handle the technical aspects
of things mostly on your own so that you don’t have to work with or compromise
on the sound with anyone else? Or, do
you all like to head into a studio and let someone else handle that side of
things so you can just concentrate on getting the best sound and performances
as possible?
I don’t like recording with engineers or recording in
studios. I prefer sitting in pajama
pants in my room surrounded by dirty clothes, although, we’ll see if I keep doing
these recordings by myself. It might be
nice in the future to use real gear instead of the pretty cheap things I own.
studios. I prefer sitting in pajama
pants in my room surrounded by dirty clothes, although, we’ll see if I keep doing
these recordings by myself. It might be
nice in the future to use real gear instead of the pretty cheap things I own.
Is there a lot of
time that goes into working out exactly how a song’s going to sound before you
record it with every part of the arrangement and composition meticulously and
rigidly planned out ahead of time, or do you get a good skeletal idea of what
something’s going to sound like while allowing for change evolution during the
recording process where necessary?
time that goes into working out exactly how a song’s going to sound before you
record it with every part of the arrangement and composition meticulously and
rigidly planned out ahead of time, or do you get a good skeletal idea of what
something’s going to sound like while allowing for change evolution during the
recording process where necessary?
The process goes something like this: there’s a skeleton of
a song that is usually put together in a rush.
We record it. I listen to it
afterward and think it’s absolute shit.
I take a break for a little while.
I revisit it and realize it’s pretty alright.
a song that is usually put together in a rush.
We record it. I listen to it
afterward and think it’s absolute shit.
I take a break for a little while.
I revisit it and realize it’s pretty alright.
Do psychoactive or
hallucinogenic drugs play a large or important role in the songwriting,
recording or performance processes for Thunders? I don’t mean that in a negative respect at
all either by the way. People have been
tapping into the altered states that drugs produce for thousands of years for
the purposes of creating art and I’m always just curious about their usage and
application when it comes to the music that I personally enjoy and consume.
hallucinogenic drugs play a large or important role in the songwriting,
recording or performance processes for Thunders? I don’t mean that in a negative respect at
all either by the way. People have been
tapping into the altered states that drugs produce for thousands of years for
the purposes of creating art and I’m always just curious about their usage and
application when it comes to the music that I personally enjoy and consume.
No. I’m just crazy.
You all released
your first material that I’m aware of back in 2008. The Sympathetic Oscillations EP was put out
by A2 Industries if I understand correctly.
How was Sympathetic Oscillations originally released? I couldn’t find too many details about it
online other than the track listing and stuff?
Can you share some of your memories of recording that first
material? When and where was it
recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used?
your first material that I’m aware of back in 2008. The Sympathetic Oscillations EP was put out
by A2 Industries if I understand correctly.
How was Sympathetic Oscillations originally released? I couldn’t find too many details about it
online other than the track listing and stuff?
Can you share some of your memories of recording that first
material? When and where was it
recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used?
I recorded those songs in a few bedrooms between Muncie and
Indianapolis, Indiana when I was twenty three years old. It was, like, the “grand
experiment” because I had just quit my old band, ari.ari, where I just
played guitar, and I wanted to be in a band where I could write songs and play
all the instruments. I had fun doing
it. It was a challenge. In terms of equipment, it’s just my basic
rig. PreSonus FIREPOD and a computer my
brother and I built. I still use it.
Indianapolis, Indiana when I was twenty three years old. It was, like, the “grand
experiment” because I had just quit my old band, ari.ari, where I just
played guitar, and I wanted to be in a band where I could write songs and play
all the instruments. I had fun doing
it. It was a challenge. In terms of equipment, it’s just my basic
rig. PreSonus FIREPOD and a computer my
brother and I built. I still use it.
Two years later in
2010 you followed up The Sympathetic Oscillations EP with a four-way 7-inch
split with Jookabox, We Are Hex and Burnt Ones, simply titled Export for
Asthmatic Kitty and Roaring Colonel Records.
You all contributed the track “Weird Spines” to the split, which was
absent from your full-length from 2014 actually entitled, Weird Spines White
Trash Whatever. How did that split
originally come about? Was “Weird
Spines” written or recorded specifically for the Export single or had it been
around for a while? If it was recorded
for the single can you tell us about the recording of that track?
2010 you followed up The Sympathetic Oscillations EP with a four-way 7-inch
split with Jookabox, We Are Hex and Burnt Ones, simply titled Export for
Asthmatic Kitty and Roaring Colonel Records.
You all contributed the track “Weird Spines” to the split, which was
absent from your full-length from 2014 actually entitled, Weird Spines White
Trash Whatever. How did that split
originally come about? Was “Weird
Spines” written or recorded specifically for the Export single or had it been
around for a while? If it was recorded
for the single can you tell us about the recording of that track?
My main policy with the band is that anytime anyone asks us
for anything I always say “yes”, ha-ha. So, we were approached by someone, and I
don’t think it was the guy from Asthmatic Kitty, I don’t know, but they approached
us about putting a song together for this comp with the sole stipulation being
that it had to be under three minutes.
The song was done specifically for that 7-inch in an afternoon in a
basement where I was living after my girlfriend kicked me out of her place. The room I was in was basically a bathroom,
it had a toilet in it, and I did the vocals without a pop filter or
headphones. I wanted to do a song that
sounded like Prince and actually, I had written that song the same day as
“Noasis”, the lead off track from Weird Spines White Trash Whatever.
for anything I always say “yes”, ha-ha. So, we were approached by someone, and I
don’t think it was the guy from Asthmatic Kitty, I don’t know, but they approached
us about putting a song together for this comp with the sole stipulation being
that it had to be under three minutes.
The song was done specifically for that 7-inch in an afternoon in a
basement where I was living after my girlfriend kicked me out of her place. The room I was in was basically a bathroom,
it had a toilet in it, and I did the vocals without a pop filter or
headphones. I wanted to do a song that
sounded like Prince and actually, I had written that song the same day as
“Noasis”, the lead off track from Weird Spines White Trash Whatever.
In 2012 you
released your first full-length album Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of
Love. I did a lot of looking around
online and I know it was released in 2012 and I know the track listing as you
have it up on your Bandcamp page, I couldn’t find out much more about it
though. Who put that out originally and
how was released? I’m pretty sure I saw
some 12-inch records floating around online but it’s hard to trust information
in the digital age sometimes… Was the
recording of the material for Beautiful Baby very different than the session(s)
for your earlier releases? Who recorded
the material for Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of Love? Where and when would that have been? What kind of equipment was used this time
around?
released your first full-length album Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of
Love. I did a lot of looking around
online and I know it was released in 2012 and I know the track listing as you
have it up on your Bandcamp page, I couldn’t find out much more about it
though. Who put that out originally and
how was released? I’m pretty sure I saw
some 12-inch records floating around online but it’s hard to trust information
in the digital age sometimes… Was the
recording of the material for Beautiful Baby very different than the session(s)
for your earlier releases? Who recorded
the material for Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of Love? Where and when would that have been? What kind of equipment was used this time
around?
That record was done in 2010, before the recording of the
song “Weird Spines”. I can
safely say that recording that album is in the top five worst experiences of my
entire life, up there with getting a tooth pulled at the age of nine without
anesthesia; true story. The bass player
quit the band while were doing it, the drummer was asked not to come to the
sessions, and the guitar player Mark and I pretty much finished it on our
own. It was recorded in a studio by my
very close friend, and sometimes bass player in the band, Tyler Watkins at his
old studio, Queen Size, where people have died.
He had a legit HD Pro Tools rig and lots of compressors and pre-amps and
all kinds of knobs and sliders and what have you. It was awful.
song “Weird Spines”. I can
safely say that recording that album is in the top five worst experiences of my
entire life, up there with getting a tooth pulled at the age of nine without
anesthesia; true story. The bass player
quit the band while were doing it, the drummer was asked not to come to the
sessions, and the guitar player Mark and I pretty much finished it on our
own. It was recorded in a studio by my
very close friend, and sometimes bass player in the band, Tyler Watkins at his
old studio, Queen Size, where people have died.
He had a legit HD Pro Tools rig and lots of compressors and pre-amps and
all kinds of knobs and sliders and what have you. It was awful.
This year in 2014
you all dropped your sophomore album, Weird Spines White Trash Whatever on 12”
LP and cassette tape through the ever killer Maximum Pelt label. Did you all try anything radically new or
different when it came to the songwriting or recording of the material for
Weird Spines White Trash Whatever? What
can our readers expect from the new album?
Who recorded the material for Weird Spines White Trash Whatever and when
was that? Where was it recorded and what
kind of equipment was used?
you all dropped your sophomore album, Weird Spines White Trash Whatever on 12”
LP and cassette tape through the ever killer Maximum Pelt label. Did you all try anything radically new or
different when it came to the songwriting or recording of the material for
Weird Spines White Trash Whatever? What
can our readers expect from the new album?
Who recorded the material for Weird Spines White Trash Whatever and when
was that? Where was it recorded and what
kind of equipment was used?
I just wanted to make a record where all of the songs were
basically in the same genre. Prior to
this, everything was kind of all over the place, and through a series of
circumstances that at the time were out of my control, we ended up tracking the
drums of most of the guitar on a 4-track tape machine. The only place we could do the recording was
at a trailer outside Warsaw, Indiana that had been winterized, so there was no
heat or running water. We had extension
cords running through the whole thing to avoid tripping a fuse and space
heaters running to keep us warm.
basically in the same genre. Prior to
this, everything was kind of all over the place, and through a series of
circumstances that at the time were out of my control, we ended up tracking the
drums of most of the guitar on a 4-track tape machine. The only place we could do the recording was
at a trailer outside Warsaw, Indiana that had been winterized, so there was no
heat or running water. We had extension
cords running through the whole thing to avoid tripping a fuse and space
heaters running to keep us warm.
Does Thunders have
any music that we haven’t talked about yet, maybe a song on a compilation or a
demo that I don’t know about?
any music that we haven’t talked about yet, maybe a song on a compilation or a
demo that I don’t know about?
I have a lot of songs on my computer that no one has heard. If someone wants to put them out I’ll let
them.
them.
With the release
of Weird Spine White Trash Whatever earlier this year, are there any other
releases in the works or on the horizon for Thunders at this point?
of Weird Spine White Trash Whatever earlier this year, are there any other
releases in the works or on the horizon for Thunders at this point?
I’m in the process of finishing up a split tape with this
band from Dallas called Dead Mockingbirds for the wonderful people at Dumpster Tapes in Chicago.
band from Dallas called Dead Mockingbirds for the wonderful people at Dumpster Tapes in Chicago.
Where’s the best
place for our interested US readers to pick up copies of your stuff?
place for our interested US readers to pick up copies of your stuff?
Bandcamp is really your best bet or you can PayPal me some
cash at thundersband@gmail.com. Make
sure and provide me an address and I’ll ship it to you. If you mention that you read this interview
I’ll do a buy one get one free deal with both of our records.
cash at thundersband@gmail.com. Make
sure and provide me an address and I’ll ship it to you. If you mention that you read this interview
I’ll do a buy one get one free deal with both of our records.
With the complexly
insane international postage rate increases that just don’t show any sign of
letting up I try and provide our readers with as many possible options for
picking up import releases as I can.
Where’s the best place for our overseas and international readers to get
your stuff?
insane international postage rate increases that just don’t show any sign of
letting up I try and provide our readers with as many possible options for
picking up import releases as I can.
Where’s the best place for our overseas and international readers to get
your stuff?
Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to secure any sort of
distribution with this record overseas, but I’ll cut a deal for ya if you order
it. There really aren’t many of these
left now!
distribution with this record overseas, but I’ll cut a deal for ya if you order
it. There really aren’t many of these
left now!
And where’s the
best place for everyone to keep up with the latest news like upcoming shows,
tours and album releases at?
best place for everyone to keep up with the latest news like upcoming shows,
tours and album releases at?
We have a Facebook fan page that I update semi-regularly.
Are there any
major plans or goals that Thunders is looking to accomplish in the last of 2014
or in 2015?
major plans or goals that Thunders is looking to accomplish in the last of 2014
or in 2015?
I’m planning on moving to LA at the end of the year. I made a set of goals for 2014 and by July we
had accomplished all of them. I’d like
to tour Europe in 2015 and put out a new record, so we’ll see.
had accomplished all of them. I’d like
to tour Europe in 2015 and put out a new record, so we’ll see.
Do you all spend a
lot of time touring? Do you enjoy being
out on the road? What’s life like on
tour for Thunders?
lot of time touring? Do you enjoy being
out on the road? What’s life like on
tour for Thunders?
I much prefer being on the road to being at home. I like being on the move. I like playing music. I like meeting new people. I like the change of scenery everyday. I like literally everything about it. The main rule we have for tour is to do one
fun thing everyday that isn’t playing the show.
And eat good meals everyday. I’m
typically too broke when I’m not on the road to do much more than eat pasta or
stir fry, so eating at restaurants is pretty fun for me, and trying some local
fare that the city is known for makes your day a little more fun.
fun thing everyday that isn’t playing the show.
And eat good meals everyday. I’m
typically too broke when I’m not on the road to do much more than eat pasta or
stir fry, so eating at restaurants is pretty fun for me, and trying some local
fare that the city is known for makes your day a little more fun.
What, if anything,
do you all have planned as far as touring goes at this point?
do you all have planned as far as touring goes at this point?
Well, we played all over the US so far in 2014, so I think
Mike and I are both pretty cool with being stationary right now. Since I’m moving to the other side of the
country, it might make touring a bit more difficult in the short term, but
we’ll see.
Mike and I are both pretty cool with being stationary right now. Since I’m moving to the other side of the
country, it might make touring a bit more difficult in the short term, but
we’ll see.
Do you remember
what the first song that Thunders ever played live was? When and where would that have been?
what the first song that Thunders ever played live was? When and where would that have been?
I would assume it was “MagicSick” from our first
record, only because that was always the first song in our set for a very, very
long time.
record, only because that was always the first song in our set for a very, very
long time.
Who are some of
your personal favorite bands that you’ve had a chance to play with over the
past several years?
your personal favorite bands that you’ve had a chance to play with over the
past several years?
Spiritualized is the first one to come to mind. I like Earthquake Party! from Boston a whole
lot. Male Gaze from California are
great, too.
lot. Male Gaze from California are
great, too.
In your dreams,
who are you on tour with?
who are you on tour with?
Hmmm, that’s a tough question. Right now, I think it would be rad to open
for The Replacements.
for The Replacements.
Do you have any
funny or interesting stories from live shows or performances that you’d like to
share here with our readers?
funny or interesting stories from live shows or performances that you’d like to
share here with our readers?
I threw a fit on stage in San Diego and cracked the neck on
my guitar.
my guitar.
Do you all give a
lot of thought to the visual aspects that represent the band to a large extent,
stuff like flyers, posters, shirt designs, cover artwork and that kind of
thing? Is there any kind of meaning or
message that you’re attempting to convey or get across?
lot of thought to the visual aspects that represent the band to a large extent,
stuff like flyers, posters, shirt designs, cover artwork and that kind of
thing? Is there any kind of meaning or
message that you’re attempting to convey or get across?
I tend to prefer minimalism when it comes to the visual
aesthetic of the band, and so far, the only cover art I’ve had anything to do
with was the most recent cover that just has my face and some block
lettering. I’m not too good at the
“style” or “branding” of the band, so either I farm that
out to someone else, which is ideal, or I take it on myself and try to weave my
preference for all things minimal into it.
I feel like the cover for the most recent record tells you everything
you need to know about the content thereof.
aesthetic of the band, and so far, the only cover art I’ve had anything to do
with was the most recent cover that just has my face and some block
lettering. I’m not too good at the
“style” or “branding” of the band, so either I farm that
out to someone else, which is ideal, or I take it on myself and try to weave my
preference for all things minimal into it.
I feel like the cover for the most recent record tells you everything
you need to know about the content thereof.
With all of the
various methods of release that are available to musicians today I’m always
various why they choose and prefer the various methods that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release for
your own music? What about when you’re
listening to or purchasing music? If you
do have a preference, what is it and can you tell us a little bit about what
that is?
various methods of release that are available to musicians today I’m always
various why they choose and prefer the various methods that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release for
your own music? What about when you’re
listening to or purchasing music? If you
do have a preference, what is it and can you tell us a little bit about what
that is?
I feel like once you go down the road of releasing your
music to vinyl, you kind of have to keep doing that. It would be nice to be as prolific as
possible with releases, but self-releasing these things on vinyl is a little
out of the budget for us, unfortunately.
Maybe we’ll do more tapes in the future, though. I’ve been considering different forms of
media recently.
music to vinyl, you kind of have to keep doing that. It would be nice to be as prolific as
possible with releases, but self-releasing these things on vinyl is a little
out of the budget for us, unfortunately.
Maybe we’ll do more tapes in the future, though. I’ve been considering different forms of
media recently.
I grew up around a
pretty massive collection of music and my dad would take me out on the weekends
to the local shops and pick me up random stuff I was interested in. As a result, I developed a kind of ritual
from a pretty young ago with music. I
would rush home, grab a set of headphones, pop them on, feverishly read the
liner notes and then just stare at the cover art while the music carried me off
on this whole other trip! Having
something, physical and concrete that’s related to the music I was hearing
always made for a much more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released music?
pretty massive collection of music and my dad would take me out on the weekends
to the local shops and pick me up random stuff I was interested in. As a result, I developed a kind of ritual
from a pretty young ago with music. I
would rush home, grab a set of headphones, pop them on, feverishly read the
liner notes and then just stare at the cover art while the music carried me off
on this whole other trip! Having
something, physical and concrete that’s related to the music I was hearing
always made for a much more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released music?
Yeah, I remember being seventeen, listening to
“B.O.B.” from Outkast and going through the CD insert. It was extremely important for me to learn
all of the lyrics to that song at that age.
“B.O.B.” from Outkast and going through the CD insert. It was extremely important for me to learn
all of the lyrics to that song at that age.
Like it or not,
digital music is here in a big way. I
mean, there are ups and downs to everything and I think it just kind of depends
on how you look at things and deal with them.
On one hand, people are being exposed to so much more music than they
ever were in the past. When you combine
digital music with the internet you have a tool that allows people to recognize
the literal world of music that they’re surrounded by and it also allows the
bands and their fans to communicate back in forth in a way that people never
even dreamed of before. On the other
hand though, while people are being exposed to all this great new music they’re
not necessarily interested in paying for it at this point and while I don’t
think that anyone on the indie level was ever getting “rich” from album sales,
illegal piracy has kind of damaged the bottom line for a lot of professional
artists. Not to mention, it’s harder and
harder to get noticed in the insane digital scene that’s happening out there
right now. As an artist during the reign
of the digital era, what’s your opinion on digital music and distribution?
digital music is here in a big way. I
mean, there are ups and downs to everything and I think it just kind of depends
on how you look at things and deal with them.
On one hand, people are being exposed to so much more music than they
ever were in the past. When you combine
digital music with the internet you have a tool that allows people to recognize
the literal world of music that they’re surrounded by and it also allows the
bands and their fans to communicate back in forth in a way that people never
even dreamed of before. On the other
hand though, while people are being exposed to all this great new music they’re
not necessarily interested in paying for it at this point and while I don’t
think that anyone on the indie level was ever getting “rich” from album sales,
illegal piracy has kind of damaged the bottom line for a lot of professional
artists. Not to mention, it’s harder and
harder to get noticed in the insane digital scene that’s happening out there
right now. As an artist during the reign
of the digital era, what’s your opinion on digital music and distribution?
I wouldn’t be the kind of musician I am today without being
able to download music off the internet.
I’ve always been a curious kid, but there was never a record store in my
hometown growing up. It was a twenty
five minute drive to a place two towns over, so getting music was always kind
of a hassle for me. Not to mention, the
only way I could even afford to buy CDs was if I went without lunch for a
week. I would hate to take a hard stance
on something if it means that some kid in the middle of nowhere can’t just
stumble upon something that might change their lives. I also don’t really feel comfortable
micromanaging the listening experience of strangers, either. People can listen to my band in whatever way
they feel like. I know that I tend to
listen to music more on Spotify than any other way. But it would be nice if there was a better
infrastructure in place for people to listen to music in the digital realm that
also allowed the artists to be rightfully compensated. Who really knows, though? People are used to free music in the way that
having a radio is “free” and I don’t see that changing… like, ever.
And to me, I think that most people just view music as this
“free” soundtrack that’s just always there.
able to download music off the internet.
I’ve always been a curious kid, but there was never a record store in my
hometown growing up. It was a twenty
five minute drive to a place two towns over, so getting music was always kind
of a hassle for me. Not to mention, the
only way I could even afford to buy CDs was if I went without lunch for a
week. I would hate to take a hard stance
on something if it means that some kid in the middle of nowhere can’t just
stumble upon something that might change their lives. I also don’t really feel comfortable
micromanaging the listening experience of strangers, either. People can listen to my band in whatever way
they feel like. I know that I tend to
listen to music more on Spotify than any other way. But it would be nice if there was a better
infrastructure in place for people to listen to music in the digital realm that
also allowed the artists to be rightfully compensated. Who really knows, though? People are used to free music in the way that
having a radio is “free” and I don’t see that changing… like, ever.
And to me, I think that most people just view music as this
“free” soundtrack that’s just always there.
I try to keep up
with as much good music as I can but with all the stuff out there right not
it’s hard to even know where to start sometimes! Is there anyone from your local scene or area
that I should be listening to I might not have heard of before?
with as much good music as I can but with all the stuff out there right not
it’s hard to even know where to start sometimes! Is there anyone from your local scene or area
that I should be listening to I might not have heard of before?
What about
nationally and internationally?
nationally and internationally?
DISCOGRAPHY
(2008) Thunders – The
Sympathetic Oscillations EP – Digital, OOP on CD – A2 Industries
Sympathetic Oscillations EP – Digital, OOP on CD – A2 Industries
(2010) Jookabox/We
Are Hex/Burnt Ones/Thunders – Export – Digital, 7” – Asthmatic Kitty/Roaring
Colonel Records [Thunders contribute the track “Weird Spines”]
Are Hex/Burnt Ones/Thunders – Export – Digital, 7” – Asthmatic Kitty/Roaring
Colonel Records [Thunders contribute the track “Weird Spines”]
(2012) Thunders –
Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of Love – Digital, 12″
Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of Love – Digital, 12″
(2014) Thunders –
Weird Spines White Trash Whatever – Digital, Cassette Tape, 12” – Maximum Pelt
(Limited to 300 copies, Cassette Tape limited to 50 copies)
Weird Spines White Trash Whatever – Digital, Cassette Tape, 12” – Maximum Pelt
(Limited to 300 copies, Cassette Tape limited to 50 copies)
Interview made by Roman Rathert/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
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