GuilFest 2006. The 3 Day Guildford Music Festival on 14th, 15th and 16th July 2006

About the bands
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Artist: THUNDER
Genre: Rock
Performing: 16th July 2005 / Uncut Stage - 2
Website Address: [www.thunderonline.com] ,
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Danny Bowes (Vocals)
Luke Morley (Guitar)
Ben Matthews (Guitar/Keyboards)
Chris Childs (Bass)
Harry James (Drums)
‘The Magnificent Seventh’

It’s magnificent and it’s their seventh studio album. It’s also a record from one of Britain’s most popular rock bands played in the spirit of Yul Bryner and Steve McQueen in the classic (and, in this case, inspiring) cowboy movie ‘The Magnificent Seven’. That is, that Thunder might well be described as still being “good guns and they aren’t heading for a church social just yet.”

The album finds the five-piece from South London delivering the goods in no uncertain terms. With songs like the typically Thunder-esque rockers ‘The Pride’ and ‘Monkey See, Monkey Do’, along with the awesomely melodic ‘Fade Into The Sun’ and the real retro feel of ‘You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down’, it’s a brilliant return to form and totally in keeping with the band’s bluesy, anthemic roots and traditions.
“It’s a very straight-forward record,” notes vocalist Danny Bowes. “ It’s probably our most instant and cohesive since our debut album.”

“That might be because it was written in a very disciplined fashion,” adds guitarist Luke Morley. “Nothing was written on an acoustic guitar this time. We basically cut it with live guitar and drums and filled in the gaps from there.”

“We needed the big riffs this time,” admits Bowes. “This is good, solid Thunder fare.” Danny points to the fact that Thunder now owns their own Pro Tools recording system as one of the reasons why ‘The Magnificent Seventh’ is such a great record.

“We bought it two summers ago. It’s only about the size of two fridges, but we’ve recorded a lot of our shows with it and although we do go to a proper studio facility for the noisy stuff, we take the Pro Tools unit to friends’ places to add the more subtle bits. It’s such an easier way of working.” The album was preceded by the first single, ‘I Love You More Than Rock ‘N ‘Roll’, last November, which became the band’s seventeenth Top 40 hit; albeit controversially titled!

“My first feeling when hearing it was that Luke was either very brave or very stupid!” Danny chuckles.
“It’s supposed to be ironic!” laughs Morley. “We’ve worn our sense of humour on our sleeves yet again.”
“We recorded it and tried it out on tour with Deep Purple and Status Quo,” furthers Bowes, “and everybody absolutely loved it.”

“And it’s great to have another Top 40 hit,” adds Luke. “We’ll be the rock version of Cliff Richard before long!” Although we shouldn’t expect a Thunder-ised cover of ‘Summer Holiday’ any time soon, there’s likely to be more hits to come from this album. The radio friendly ‘When I’m Dreaming’ is one candidate. Another is ‘One Fatal Kiss’, co-written by Luke and former Argent guitarist turned hit songsmith Russ Ballard.

“It’s terrifying how commercial that is! And the demo was even more cheesy!” laughs Danny. “Russ fancied writing more rock songs and it was great that we were all put in touch. We’re well pleased.”
Thunder will, of course, be hitting the road to support the album wherever and whenever they can. Indeed, their fondness for hard graft and a good laugh turned them into one of the most visible and best loved British rock acts of the 90s and they have enjoyed an eventful career that has thankfully witnessed more highs than lows. There’s clearly no chance of Thunder joining the derelict old barflies up on Boot Hill just yet!

As Luke Morley observes:
“There was a period just after the whole Brit-Pop thing in the 90s where we were out of sorts. We split for two years because of it. But then The Darkness arrived, a band with the same principles and ideals as ourselves – indeed Justin Hawkins told me that the first ever band he saw live was Thunder back in 1990 – rock was in again and we’re having a great time back together.” And on their own label to boot!
“It’s totally refreshing, terrifying and overwhelmingly hard doing this all ourselves, “ says Danny. “It’s refreshing not to have to deal with all the bullshit, but terrifying in as much that it’s our cocks on the block with our own money. Still, we’re seasoned veterans now and keeping it all in house is making things all the more enjoyable!

“And making ‘The Magnificent Seventh’ was VERY enjoyable!”
Dave Reynolds