Sunday 14th June 2009 @ Thekla, Bristol

The Thermals are the sort of band you dream of introducing your mates to - spunky, enthusiastic and down right catchy; think Weezer about 5/10 years ago, before they got all self-indulgent. Tonight is the first date of their new UK tour and though it’s a Sunday evening, the turnout is pretty decent and at the heart of it all is a freshly shaven Big Jeff - the dreaded goatee is no more! Boo! Hiss!

The Thermals’ set is a fast and punchy one, full of unashamedly poppy, two and three minute rock numbers with lots of addictive, foot-tappable riffs. The crowd may be too middle-aged or too embarrassed to dance much but you can tell they are enjoying themselves and frankly, I don’t blame them – this is really, REALLY good stuff! Tracks like Now We Can See, No Culture Icons and Here’s Your Future are textbook pop-rock and our three American geek-rockers are a joy to watch, sweaty throwing themselves around onstage at every opportunity.

Lead man Hutch Harris may look like Spock, but after a few songs he is transformed into a gloriously sweaty rockstar, the veins on his neck throbbing and straining as he gives it his all every song. Bassist Kathy Foster is cuteness personified, the pint-sized beauty star-jumping and head-banging her way threw the set but my favourite has to be drummer Westin Glass. An accomplished musician, his drumming is spot on but he’s great to watch as he seems to wince every time he beats, as if he’s afraid he’s going to break his drum skins or the whole kit’s going to explode!

The Thermals are the sort of band that have you hooked after one listen. If they get a bit more radio play and the tour goes well, I can really see them wrestling Weezer’s crown and taking over planet geek-rock.

www.thethermals.com

Matthew Whittle www.matthewwhittleblog.blogspot.com