While everyone else was off buying EP tickets this morning I was instead hearing news of The Thermals upcoming date in the Academy on June 19th and buying my ticket (€13.60 from Ticketmaster - bargain!). Having been underwhelmed with the line-up for both of the major music festivals I’m instead spending my cash on all the small Dublin summer gigs instead. I’m really looking forward to finally seeing The Thermals live as they’re one of the only bands that succeeds in satisfying my occasional craving for really wonderful low-fi grunge, but these guys have certainly been given a lot of other labels “indie/alternative/post-pop-punk rock” for instance. I’ve been listening to their last album “The Body, The Blood, The Machine” ever since they released the single “A Pillar of Salt” - the video for which I absolutely love.
These guys have some seriously fun music videos, which always give me a dopey smile.
I recently picked up their new album “Now We Can See” which is a little less punk, and a lot more indie than their three previous releases, there’s definitely far more melody and soul in this album. The new tracks are also much more highly polished, though there is the occasional distortion and punk undertone. I really like the progression these guys have made and I think a lot of this band’s strength comes from the wonderfully distinct sound from the lead vocalist Hutch Harris. Look out for those romantic and profound lyrics too. Definitely one to watch and to see live - now that you have the chance. Their new single “Now We Can See” is out now, accompanied by another great video of course.
