Taking in Leeds and London, the Portland punk trio are famed for their sweaty, full-throttle live shows and this tour promises to be no exception.
The band also recently revealed the latest single from their new record, ‘The Sunset’. In the cold, sweeping darkness of Desperate Ground, ‘The Sunset’ is an obvious ray of light. Like the sun itself, the song is wide, warm, and more than a little dangerous at close range. It is the story of a man with only shadows for friends and only memories for food. Like many Thermals tracks, the song is loud, catchy, and more than a little paranoid. And although the lyrics appear bleak at times, there is great hope to be found in the song, and great joy as well.
Listen to ‘The Sunset’ below:
[soundcloud params=”auto_play=false&show_comments=true&color=0ac4ff”]https://soundcloud.com/saddlecreek/the-thermals-the-sunset[/soundcloud]
The Thermals’ sixth LP and debut for Saddle Creek, Desperate Ground was produced by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jnr, Sonic Youth) in Hoboken, NJ. Agnello. They completed the record and evacuated the studio just hours before Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, a fate quite fitting when you consider the product.
‘Desperate Ground’ is a true scrappy and scratchy return-to-form for The Thermals, with all the raw power and unhinged adolescent energy that made their early LP’s so insanely enjoyable. Lyrically, ‘Desperate Ground’ is a brash and irresponsible ode to human violence, a black celebration of the inevitability of war and death. It tells the murky tale of a lone rogue in the night. One man, one path, one sword. An unceasing urge to destroy. A never-ending battle against the forces of nature. A destiny impossible to avoid.
See The Thermals live:
July
22 Leeds Brudenell Social Club
23 London The Garage