(Photo Credit - Kelly O)
We had the chance to chat with alt rock rising stars Thunderpussy. Their new EP 'Milk It' drops on October 25, and we can't wait for you to hear it. Check out our interview with the group.
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been into music. Something about it has always called to me. I grew up listening to country, fell in love with rock n roll, studied the blues; I just love it. I’ve been playing guitar since I was about 15.
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
Well, it depends on the song, or the day, even. Sometimes I sit down to write something specific, like, "here’s a lick that sounds like that," or "here’s a lyric that reminds me of this." Other times, I’ll just be picking out something on an instrument and Molly calls from the other room, ‘Oh now that’s good…’ and we set about to make a song out of it. Molly has collections of notebooks full of lyrics, and I have an encyclopedia of riffs. It’s great when they come together to make something that works.
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
I grew up wanting to be like my two idols-- Wynonna Judd and Steven Tyler. I know that’s quite the combo! I love all the women who have come before and paved the way for the rest of us. Joan Jett, Tanya Tucker, Nancy Wilson, Patti Smith, Janis Joplin, Debbie Harry.
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
I have a favorite Guitar. It was given to me by Mike McCready at a show after TP opened up for his UFO cover band, Flight to Mars, at the Showbox in Seattle. It was a prototype of his brand new Gibson relic modeled off his ‘59. It screams. I also have a few pedals that I absolutely love, the most unique sounding of which is probably the Afterneath, by Earthquaker Devices. Sylvia Massy introduced me to Earthquaker while we were recording our debut record with her a few years back, and I absolutely love this pedal. Makes everything sound ethereal and sparkly. My main amp is an old Marshall 4140 Club and Country Combo. A rare gem that I picked up on craigslist back in GA over a decade ago to go on tour with Deerhunter. So glad that I found that thing! Had no idea at the time that I was buying something that would be so hard to replace.
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
The sound! If it’s good, that is. The sound on stage can make or break a show pretty easily. But whether we can hear ourselves or not-- we will be raging, because that is the best feeling in the world, and certainly the best part of the day when we are on tour.
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
That it’s for everybody.
7. Can you tell us about the writing, recording, and promotion process for your new EP Milk It?
These four songs are a collection of what we have been up to since the last (and first) record came out. There was no one session for the work, in fact, the songs were recorded at four different studios over the course of about a year. We have spent a fair amount of time this year demoing for the next full length, and that process has generated these songs that we simply did not want to wait to put out.
8. How was your experience getting to work with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Chad Smith on the EP?
Mike is my rock. Such a wonderful human who has helped the band so much, and particularly me, in the writing and playing departments. It was his idea to get strings for On The Line, and to add vocal harmonies-- and he was right! It sounds fantastic. Working with Chad was fucking unbelievable. He came to the studio ready to get as much done as possible every day, and his playing style is so bombastic and infectious. He would yell out for us to take our time and not rush the dramatic parts of the songs, “remember to milk it…” And that’s where the title comes from for the EP. Thanks Chad.