The Thermals Sign to Kill Rock Stars
After three Albums on Indie Label Sub Pop, Thermals Jump Ship
Nov 19, 2008
Earlier this year The Thermals mentioned that they had been looking for a new record label to call home. Apparently the group talked with a number of labels before settling with the Portland-dwelling Kill Rock Stars. The label might most notably be known for releasing a number of albums by singer/songwriter Elliot Smith, but have also released albums by indie darlings like Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu.
There is no bad blood between the The Thermals and Sub Pop however, instead front man Hutch Harris told Pitchfork Media that the group still loves Sub Pop and that the label, "treated us incredibly well and we never had anything less than full creative control."
Harris also mentions that the decision to switch to Kill Rock Stars was motivated by more than just an excellent contract. "Kathy [Thermals bassist] and I make decisions on instinct, on feeling. We go with our hearts," Harris told Pitchfork, "Kill Rock Stars showed an enthusiasm that was unrivaled, and they offered us everything we wanted in a contract."
First Kill Rock Stars Releases
The band will begin their new label relationship by releasing a 7" on March 10th. Then on April 7th they will drop their fourth full-length which is entitled Now We Can See. The new album was produced by John Congleton (front man of dissonant indie freaks The Paper Chase) and Harris claims it the band's "best sounding record." Considering that the group's other three albums gained a good amount of their charm from a pervasive lo-fi aesthetic, it should be interesting to hear what Harris means by "best sounding."
The Thermals Drummer Situation
The Thermals have long been known for their drummer woes. After two albums and a number of tours founding drummer Jordan Hudson called it quits right as the band got ready to record the excellent The Body, the Blood, the Machine.
Instead of hiring a new drummer Hutch Harris and bassist Kathy Foster split up drumming duties on the album and the results weren't too shabby. After the recording was finished the band enlisted some touring help from drummers Caitlin Love and Lorin Coleman. Coleman seemed like a long term replacement until he too left the band in March of 2008.
Back in the studio to record their fourth album, Now We Can See, Harris and Foster split drumming duties again. But, as Harris told Pitchfork Media, the group has enlisted another new drummer, this time Westin Glass of Say Hi fame, to handle touring duties. Glass will make his live debut on December 12th when The Thermals play Chop Suey in Seattle.
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