Thunderbirds Are Now!

For those unfamiliar with the band's ever-changing evolution, let's get you up to speed: The band started off as a five-piece in the suburbs of Detroit, eventually trimming down to drummer Mike Durgan, bassist Marty Smith, keyboardist Scott Allen, and singer and guitarist Ryan Allen. The band released two EPs and one full-length record - 2003's rambunctious Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief on the Action Driver label - before signing to Frenchkiss Records to release their 2005 breakthrough Justamustache. The record garnered praise across the board from Pitchforkmedia.com amongst others. After Smith left the group to become a married man the band drafted bassist Howard Chang and hit the road with fervour, touring with the likes of Enon, Minus the Bear, The Hold Steady, The Constantines, These Arms are Snakes, Supersystem, and Rahim. Summer 2005 saw the band make their first appearance on the American summer festival circuit playing the Pitchforkmedia-curated Intonation Music Festival. To top off their year the band visited the UK for the first time. In early 2006, Durgan left the band, so new drummer Matt Rickle (of Detroit faves Javelins) stepped in to the fray, joining the band for their first-ever Australian tour alongside Les Savy Fav and the Hold Steady. Make History, Thunderbirds are Now!'s 3rd full-length and second on Frenchkiss Records, released in late 2006, does away with a band in full tail-chase and depicts one at it's peak: no longer concerned with what people might expect, but rather wearing their influences better than one of Interpol's tailored suits. "We live off of pop music," says singer and guitarist Ryan Allen. "Some Beatles for breakfast, a little Smiths for lunch, and the Pixies for dinner. Sometimes we'll have a little New Pornographers for a midnight snack."

Links

www.thunderbirdsarenow.com

www.frenchkissrecords.com