Thick As Thieves (podcast up soon)
Thick As Thieves was formed in the summer of 2004 by guitarist Aaron Benson and drummer Mike Cotter. The two first met on an eastbound train from Chicago to Boston. During the course of the resulting conversation they realized that they shared many musical interests. Aaron was in the process of completing his MP&E major at a local music college but having just purchased a guitar, he was interested in getting involved in the process of songwriting. Mike had been playing drums from a young age but was forced to abandon the instrument to help his family recover from the locust plagues and drought that had devastated their farm in northern Illinois.
The Midwestern pair began composing lengthy guitar/drum arrangements that defied conventional timing and song structures. The songs generally originated in a brief guitar riff or a snippet of a beat before developing into full-blown tunes. Their work culminated in an experimental album called "Telemakos Airlines" and accompanying light show ofthe same name. While it was an artistic success, it lacked the immediacy and energy of a full band. After a lengthy discussion an effort was made to bring new players into the fold. Bassist Kellen Kleinfelter had been working on his own material while playing in a variety of local bands. He crossed paths with Aaron while the two were waiting in line at a vegan diner in Allston and found an immediate connection. At the same time in late August, Mike met an up and coming writer named Tyler Blake. He was persuaded to set aside the novel he had been working on and return to his first love: music.
After a string of noisy but fruitless rehearsals, the quartet began to come together. Despite getting banned from the first venue (thanks, Madison!) they played at, the band spent two years touring and writing songs. Inspired by a childhood spent next to the ocean, Tyler had written a 235 line poem called "Overshore & Undersky." This text became the framework for the band's first album, "We Planted Driftwood And Nothing Changed" which was released in May of 2006. A sophomore album entitled "True Believers In The Long Walk Home" will be released 5/2/08.
"On the bands debut, Thick as Thieves write songs that, for all their appealing hooks and smooth vocals, are filled with doubt and ambivalence. The band often plays with a tense, suspenseful softness, seemingly holding back while containing its sound within a limited frame...when Thick as Thieves is on, the sound is arresting"
Northeast Performer
"Although an average track length under four minutes isn’t usually the mark of what would be described as epic, these compositions are certainly worthy of the label. The group seamlessly transitions between numerous musical themes creating dynamic soundscapes and an engrossing musical experience sure to make listeners thankful that the quartet chose to form Thick as Thieves"
The Philler
The reviews go on and on and Thick As Thieves certainly deserve each and every one of them.
The Viking said to Tyler Littwin in the interview this morning, "Tyler, I think you guys have it."
I completely agree and can't think of any better words to describe them, so YEAH, listen to their music and give 'em all the support you can! They're releasing their new album on May 2nd! If you're out that way, be sure to drop by their CD release party!
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