sandiegopunk.com

Thurmus

The guys in San Diego's Thurmus have a hard time being serious. Their latest release, 10 Pounds of Shit In An 8 Pound Bag is testament to that, but it’s also a good example of how, despite the sophomoric antics, Thurmus is a quality rock band. The release was impressive enough to garner some attention from Fat Wreck Chords, but the band is still awaiting further word

from the label. Generally, an an in-person interview would be preferable, especially with Thurmus (if only for the chance for a few laughs). However, lead singer Kyle Tague recently had a child, and was understandably tied up at home (plus, Mr. Tague had this to add: "For the interview it would probably be best to do it via email, as Thurmus closely guards our mysterious nature and only likes to come out after midnight... or to play afternoon bar-b-q's").

To keep the freewheeling spirit of this band alive over e-mail, though, the instructions given were exactly this: answer these questions exactly as you wish. No rules, no limitations. Thurmus didn’t disappoint: their answers were nothing if not uninhibited.

Paul Coover: To begin, can you introduce the band?

Kyle: Kyle Tague. I play guitars and sing almost all the vocals on the CD, and I'm 24 from San Marcos, CA. I've been here all my life with my brother, Justin. He plays bass guitar and does some backing vocals and all the stuff where we switch off in some songs. He's 26. Dave Cunnyngham plays drums, and did a few vocals. He's 27 from Poway, CA. He used to play in San Diego punk band The Impossible 5.

How did you get together?

Kyle: Dave saw a flyer we posted at our local guitar center and gave us a call. This was back in 2001-2? He called and asked who we liked and what we sounded like, if we had any previous recordings or records, which we did, etc., etc.... We recorded an album as a four piece in 2000 called Thurmus: The Lords of Punk, with Jason Zylius on drums and Rob Cook on additional guitar. So Dave asks if he can go buy it somewhere, like Music Trader or something, and I say,"Yes. Music Trader in Poway."

Twenty minutes later, he calls me and says he just bought the CD and he really wants to play in our band... So we practice once and the rest is history.

What was the process of recording 10 Pounds Of Shit In An 8 Pound Bag?

Kyle: We produced the disc at DML studios in Escondido, CA, with head engineer, Don Lithgow, and the help of various interns who did a great job cleaning up and pushing buttons.

What have you been up to since?

Kyle: Right now we are just trying to play as many shows as we can and sell our CD's as they are. We have a couple big shows coming up in July. Private parties with important people... or so we were told. We just want to rock the music the way it is. Not being too concerned with writing a "radio hit" if you know what I mean. Everywhere we've played the response is incredible. People laugh and watch and slam and have a good time. We are kind of a comedy act I guess.

What are some of Thurmus’ influences?

Kyle: Major influences over the course of the years: Op Ivy, Sublime, NoFx, Pulley, Propaghandi, The Vandals, King Diamond, Metallica, Megadeth, old school metal, Face to Face, Rancid, Goldfinger, Minor Threat... the list goes on and on...

Can you talk a little bit about how the band evolved into being a "comedy" type act?

JT: We're funny?

Dave: Because as humans, we all share a common enjoyment and revel in laughter. Whether it be a person, a mule, or whatever, everything should have a certain funny quality about it and we try to expose that in our thirty minute time slot.

Kyle: Whatever hippie. I just started getting my drink on then acting like a jackass.

Does that set you apart from other bands?

Band: yes, a lot of bands are way serious

What are the best (and worst) things that have happened to the band?

JT: We all became unics and that kinda sucked. That’s probably the worst.

Kyle: The best was when we became a three piece again and Dave joined the band.

Any rock'n'roll, R-rated stories you can tell?

Kyle: One time we all got crabs after we fucked each other...

Can you talk a little bit about the attention FAT has given you?

Band: Not really, except they really liked our CD and want to hear new stuff and see us when we play in San Francisco

Congratulations on having your baby! How has that changed you as a person/ you as a musician/ the importance that the band has in your life?

Kyle: Yeah, we had the baby Thursday morning. June 16th, the day before my birthday. What a trip! Daddy’s girl, Patricia Aurora. We are fuckin' SOOOO STOKED! Now I am a dad, it rocks and feels good. As a musician it hasn't really changed anything, I just feel more eager to speak my mind and succeed for her. And as a band we'll just keep on rocking...

You guys are a little bit past the high-school-aged punk band syndrome. What is it about this band that keeps you coming back?

Kyle: I get free drinks, get to grab my balls and rub my butt-hole on people, talk about things that are important to me and make fun of people on stage and off... also fast music rocks my jewels. Fuck yeah!

Dave: Paychecks baby...

JT: I want my balls back...

What are the ultimate goals for Thurmus?

Band: To travel and rock. That would fucking rock.

Is there any message that you'd like to get out to the kids? If there is one thing you teach them through your music, what would that be?

Dave: Don't quit your day job...

Kyle: Don't tell your friend’s band you like them when you really don't, and don't suck the corporate cock to get famous / rich / popular... ‘cause then you just get used and use people around you... which I guess is cool if there is some fucking involved.

JT: You don't have to suck to be punk.

Last words? Shout-outs?

GFI, other bands that help us out, beer, friends and families... and all you cock-sucking mother fuckers who rock fuckin’ hard to the Thurmus band. You guys and gals are the shit! You know who you are! Thanks!

official website: http://www.thurmus.com
mp3s: http://www.myspace.com/thurmus
http://www.purevolume.com/thurmus
Thurmus interview by Paul Coover, photo taken from purevolume.com/thurmus

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