Unsigned Spotlight: Andrew Thomases
A lifelong music enthusiast, Andrew Thomases has recently harnessed his passions into making music of his own. Moved by current events in the United States and influenced by the grunge and power bands of the '80s and '90s, he conveys striking intelligence and emotion that will find its way into the hearts and minds of listeners who view life through a similar lens.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
I am a solo artist, so I do everything from writing the music and lyrics to mixing the track. I play guitar, bass, and keys, and I use Logic Pro for drums. I sing all vocals on all of my tracks.
For starters, what bands were you a part of prior to this? How long has the band been around?
I was in a number of high school, college and law school cover bands in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but I then took off a few decades before getting back into playing music. I started writing and recording my own original music in 2020 in the heart of the COVID lockdown.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
I am keeping it real and using my own name. No stage name for me.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
All of my songs are my own original compositions. I have been trying to use my 50+ years of wisdom to create the themes for my songs. I have about 10 songs that will be released in the next few months, and they all have a message. I have two that are each a wakeup call about what we are doing to the environment and other species on our planet. One song I dedicated to my younger brother who died of kidney cancer last year, and that one focuses on the fact that we should leave the world a better place than when we entered it. Another song looks back on my teen years and how they were squandered. And my most recent song “Cure Me” asks if there is a cure to all of the issues going on in society that are dividing us.
I am not sure whether my topics will change over time, but I do know that I want my songs to have meaning. Call it Conscious Rock. Of course, I also try to have fun sometimes, and some of my songs reflect that.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
“Cure Me” was definitely inspired by The Cure. However, I have a ton of music influences, as I have always been a fan of a broad range of music. I grew up listening to classic rock and then alternative rock, like The Clash, U2, and Talking Heads. I continue to listen to rock and alternative rock, and I am currently into Royal Blood and The Blue Stones.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
It’s a bit hard to say, but there was one impressionable moment from my youth. When I was 9 years old, my dad took me to see Beatlemania on Broadway in NYC, and I was captivated by the music. I idolized Paul McCartney, and that inspired me to learn how to play bass guitar. I was in my first cover band at age 11 or 12, although we were not great. I have been in love with music since then.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
I have not played a gig since the early 1990s, so I can’t remember if I had any prep for performing other than cracking my knuckles.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
So this solo endeavor is very new, and I am still working on creating highlights. Probably the biggest one so far was when I sent my first original recording to friends and family. No one had heard any of my songs yet, so putting it out there makes you a bit vulnerable. Luckily, I received positive feedback, and that inspired me to continue making my own original music. Hopefully, I am improving with each iteration.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Wow. Interesting question. In my youth, I would probably say The Who, because, boy, did they know how to have fun. Nowadays, I would want to tour with someone from whom I could learn and who could always keep it fresh – someone like Bruce Springsteen or Dave Matthews. They also have the most dedicated fanbases.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d just like to thank you for the interest in my music. I always appreciate feedback and ways to improve my songwriting, so please listen, enjoy, and stay in touch!