Thermals give nuclear performance

Margot' Gonzales, staff writer

While waiting in line and wondering line whether I had enough money to get a poster and shirt, I heard the voices of Kathy Foster and Hutch Harrison talking about production with Chris Walla, guitarist from Death Cab for Cutie.  This in itself stole my attention from entry fee to adornment for The Thermals. 

 The Thermals performed at Jake’s Ballroom on Jan. 21 in Lubbock, along with Travis Nichols and Shawn Jones of The Needies.  The Needies, the opening band, did a marvelous job getting the crowd ready for one of the best bands I have ever heard.

The Thermals is a trio of musicians-Hutch Harris (vocals/guitar), Kathy Foster (bass), and Jordan Hudson (drums).  Traveling far from their rain-and whiskey-soaked land of Portland, Oregon, The Thermals, were far more than amazing.  They are a new exciting force of emotional punk, pop, and garage.  At the show, once they touched foot to stage, people rapidly left their seats and advanced toward the stage.  

Opening with “Our Trip,” The Thermals easily took hold of their audience.  With the feet tapping, and the heads of the audience moving up and down to the catchy tempo, The Thermals knew at once they had their audience in the palm of their hand.  Once they played “How We Know,” the “oohs and ahhs” were heard among all and the repetitious movement of heads and feet were on their way.

Those who had never heard The Thermals easily were taken by the upbeat music and intensity of their lyrics.  Each member of the band brings his or her own personality, which is evident on stage.

Foster brings her resilient attitude to the bass and rocks out hard, which in turn captures the audience, especially the female members of the audience, who are overjoyed to see a female musician. Hudson is a tyrant on the drums and easily captivates the audience while he plays as backbone to the band.  He was throwing his head here and there, making his hair fall over his face. Harris’s unique pop-punk style voice alone stole the attention and brought all to the front of the stage, where they all stared in awe.

The Thermals performed 17 songs, 12 from their newest album and five from their first album that made The Thermals so unique in the first place.  Their first album was recorded in Harris’s kitchen for the steep price of $60.

After their initial success, with only their kitchen recording and six shows, The Thermals signed a three-album contract with Sub Pop Records.  Their newest release was recorded in four days, and is one of the best records on Sub Pop Records.  The Thermals have three albums and one vinyl, all of which are amazing.  I highly recommend the vinyl, “because it sounds better,” says Jason Hammel of Mates of State.

Once the show was over, after a double encore, I spoke with The Thermals, and found out they were exactly like what I expected them to be, modest and unique at heart.

The Thermals spoke with everyone who approached them and introduced themselves to everyone around their merchandise booth.  Proving their popularity, they are already adored by bands such as Mates of State, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, and The Hidden Cameras. 

The Thermals, are well known in Holland, and hopefully will soon be well known here. 

Unlike most bands, The Thermals also still have full time jobs that they commit to, and still make time for the band.  This is something that keeps The Thermals different from the rest just like their music.