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Artist Interviews
Q&A: Thomas Function
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 16 December 2009
Alabama-based Thomas Function are a four-piece punk rock band consisting of Josh Macero, Phillip Dougherty, Zach Jeffries and Travis Thompson. Since the release of their debut album ‘Celebration’ in 2008, the band have steadily built a name for themselves in garage and punk circles.
Delivering a mix of 70s punk and new wave, their sound has been compared to the likes of the Buzzcocks, Television, Nick Lowe and Modest Mouse, with their infectious melodies clearly influenced by a multiple of genres. Having recently released their second album, ‘In The Valley Of Sickness’, we caught up with frontman Josh Macero to ask the Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
Travis and myself have been piddling around in punk/garage/whatever-the-fuck-you-wanna-call-it bands for the last fifteen years. I got involved in the local “scene” when I was twelve, and have just kept on ever since. Most people give up on something after so long, but for us there really isn’t another option.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
LSD, Crystal Thierry, and Zach’s house.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
This is going to sound cliché, and borderline lame, but I honestly just smoke a lot of dope, and sit on whatever couch I’m sleeping on and just pick at the guitar until I find a melody, or chord structure I can sing along to. When I was younger I would make a huge ordeal out of writing these monster stanzas for lyrics, now I’m more melody motivated. I’ve learned the hard way that more words may seem cool, but it’s not too practical live.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Right now, I’d have to say Roxy Music, The Archies, Clipse, The Goodnight Loving. But I’ve always loved The Feelies, The Equals, VU, The Mummies, Love, that sorta stuff.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Smoke a bowl.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
To be honest, we were in such a hurry with the latest album that my only ambition was to get it done, which I believe may have hindered the quality a tad. The next record, on the other hand, is mostly written, and I have plenty of time to work it out, and mix it. For me, mixing is everything and I just really wish I had more time on the last record. I wasn’t pressured by anyone beyond myself, but it still felt hurried, especially with all of the touring we did around it. But yeah, the next record already has a title, and that was the hardest part of ‘In The Valley Of Sickness’. So, hopefully, Matt and Bruce [from Fat Possum Records] will give a scumbag another chance!
MORE>> www.myspace.com/thomasfunction
