Londoners Thunder stole my heart and then some when their
debut 'Backstreet Symphony' hit the streets on March 5th 1990. Formed out of
the ashes of Terraplane who had gained some domestic recognition, the new-found
band threw all that to the wind. Coming on hard with a modern take on classic 70's
heavy blues rock à la Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Free et al, as well as British
R'N'B stuff like The Spencer Davis Group mixed with great stomp, humour and
excellent musicianship. 'Backstreet Symphony' took at least Europe and UK with storm
and was a breath of fresh air when the heavier music climate was about to
change drastically.
The nucleus on this debut was, and still is to this day,
guitarist Luke Morley, singer Danny Bowes, guitarist/ keyboardist Ben Matthews
and drummer Gary "Harry" James. Mark "Snake" Luckhurst
played bass on this album and the follow-up 'Behind Closed Doors' which is the
band's trouble spot. Well, sort of, since they've only had three 4-stringers
throughout their entire career. Apart from this, keeping a mainly intact lineup
has played a big part in Thunder's longevity and excellent albums. That, and
taking two well-deserved breaks to recharge their batteries.
Being drawn in by excellent reviews everywhere, I simply had
to get my hands on ‘Backstreet Symphony’ and as soon as the first couple of
bars from opener ‘She’s So Fine’ emanated from the speakers, that was it.
Superb riffs in the 70’s heavy rock sphere with Danny Bowes fantastic voice
leading the way, these Londoners mesmerized me no end. This continues on
‘Higher Ground’, ‘Until My Dying Days’, ‘Backstreet Symphony’, ‘Girl’s Going
Out Of Her Head’ and the CD-only track, ‘Distant Thunder’. I’ve seen this band
countless times through the years and every time I hear these songs great
memories pop up of fantastic events in my life. Most vivid is when the guys
laid waste to a sold-out Hammersmith Odeon in London. Amazing!
But heavy stomping rock is not all that they are about.
Out-of-this-world heartfelt, heartbreaking tales of lost love, loneliness,
alienation as well as hope within all this, gives Thunder an edge that many
other bands of this ilk lack. Check out crushers ‘Don’t Wait For Me’ and ‘Love
Walked In’ and you know what I’m talking about. From the very beginning of
their career the band has also displayed a social conscience, or social
commentary, through the music. At first I only noticed this in the slower but
eventually my ears picked up on how many of the faster heavy rockers
highlight this. On ‘Backstreet Symphony’ the wonderful ‘Higher Ground’ is a
fitting example and shows one of Thunder’s greatest strengths…that difficult
subjects can be the focus in rebel rousing party rocking songs.
Being English the guys also have a sense of humour I love.
On ‘An Englishman On Holiday’ this comes out excellently as they poke fun at
their fellow countrymen whenever they go on a holiday in the sun. As stiff
upper-lipped a Briton can be, back in the 80’s and the 90’s, they were infamous
when traveling in groups to beach resorts all over southern Europe
to bask in the sun. Mayhem always ensued and Thunder are spot on in the best
Monty Python fashion retelling these nefarious acts.
In conclusion, this album kickstarted a brilliant career
that has produced fantastic album after fantastic album, so Thunder has amassed
a huge treasure trove of songs. Something few long-lasting bands can match,
really. What sparks the most in me about them is their fresh take on 70’s heavy
blues-rock, which I grew up on, the honesty, sheer brilliance and authenticity
they exude. Whenever there’s a bad moment in life, Thunder are my go-to source
to be uplifted. And when I want just a good time, they are there for me.
Excellent, excellent band, dear waveriders!
-Swedebeast
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