The Thermals are a facet of the rock-action that is happening in Sydney, Australia. They are part of a scene that does not subscribe to the fickle nature that pigeonholes much of today's music. They do not aspire to the jangle-pop ambitions of national youth radio. They believe rock and roll stands for good times, rather than some device for expressing pre-fabricated angst against "The System." The Thermals know that "rock 'n' roll keeps you alive."

Formed in 1998, The Thermals began life as a musical dream in the mind of drummer/vocalist Nik Rieth. Nik, a longtime member of seminal Australian cult-rockers, The Celibate Rifles, knew a group could be formed with two of his close friends. Guitarist John Freckleton used to roadie for the 'Rifles and many other groups during the heyday of grunge and beyond. In these circles he became known as "rock and roll John." Another guitarist, Leigh Ivin was a casualty of the NSW Nth. Coast university music fraternity. He knew he was never going to be the next jazz-fusion superstar, and realized that it was time to get down to brass tacks.

Nik and John's influences came from similar places: Detroit style rock and the unavoidable aussie parallels in the Saints and Radio Birdman, but also newer sounds such as the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Leigh's foundations were cast in more dubious ground, but it was a love of the 'Blues Explosion and more traditional influences like The Who that would certify the chemistry of The Thermals. Indeed it was the success of The 'Explosion that led them to believe a two guitar and drums line-up would work. All had a nagging desire to sing, and from this point The Thermals went forth.

Nik brings to the group his patented groove-laden but forceful backbeat. John's guitar and straining quad-box do a more than passable rendition of a Sherman tank. Leigh's guitar chomps at the bit of shredding blues punctuated with clanging power chords.

All sing with as much can be mustered from the naive, unschooled gut of cock-rock ambition. After nearly three years on the Sydney scene, The Thermals can boast a small but devoted following of pub-rock punters.

Their self-produced debut album was recorded entirely on old school 8-track analogue tape at North Acton Sound in the Burwood region of Sydney's western suburbs. More astute fans of rock will know this area as the birthplace of AC/DC. It's twelve tracks cover a range of rock sounds that never stray too far from the axis around which they were conceived. "Watcha Doin'" shows the dirgy blues driven roots that inspired them to begin. "Tats" with it's power slide guitar and breakneck pace salutes aussie rock legends Rose Tattoo. "You're So Right" is more akin to the Scientists and The Beasts of Bourbon, while tracks like "Cockrock Erection" joyously lambaste anything becoming overtly serious. "I Hate the '90s" chastises the boring beast that grunge mutated into, just as "Walkin' Down" pisstakes the blues with it's silly lyrics and amphetamine tempo.

The album has been dubbed "It's a Rock Rock Rock Rock World", a hat-tip to a certain Stanley Kramer film. Critical responses to this first outing have been favorable to say the least. Very popular with the engineers at Sony music (where the album was mastered - Imagine a release in Jackos' stable!), The Thermals now find themselves in that all too familiar self-produced album quandary.


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No release vehicle. An earlier potential deal with a rock-oriented label subsidiary to Oracle Records fell through as the album was completed. People - open your chequebooks. At this stage, a completely independent release is being considered - to sell to the people at gigs.

What we need in this world is more record executives who aren't afraid to admit that they don't know shit from clay. The Thermals may not look like a bunch of preening teenagers at the coolest rock dive in town, but they know how to dish it out in spades. The fans of rock know what is good, by and large. It's those people who must re-educate the powers that be in this horrible catorgorised business. Rock will win on the day.

The Thermals can be contacted at heftosprod@hotmail.com for the moment. Many things are in transit in Thermal-land. For info, check out the great and always up to date www.i94bar.com it has the latest in Australian cutting-edge rock. Here you will witness the fall-out from Radio Birdman and others, aswell as keep in touch with current gigs around Sydney and Australia. plus plenty more from this extended family of rock and roll.

Do good things,

Dr. Kung Spoo for the Thermals.