Thunder Club – “Summer Vice”
Thunder Club is an Indie/Alternative Rock band out of Baltimore, Maryland. The band consists of Garret Cusack (lead vocals), Pete Burkhardt (guitar), Dennis Chen (guitar), Conor Johnston (bass) and John Burkhardt (drums). The band has two EP’s under their belt and recently released their Sophomore EP, “Summer Vice”. This three track EP will become your summer soundtrack. Each song has a feel good vibe that will resonate with all listeners! If you’ve been looking for a new Indie band to get into, look no further; Thunder Club is your new band!
In speaking with the members of Thunder Club, I learned a lot about where the band has been and what is in store for their future. The band gained inspiration to create music at an early age. “Individually, each of us developed an interest in music at a young age, mainly through a desire to emulate the larger than life Rock Stars we saw on TV. Collectively, we were fortunate in that we were able to collaborate with each other as early as the 6th grade. It just so happened that four of us grew up in the same neighborhood, three of us went to the same high school, and two of us are brothers. The musical chemistry that we developed with each other at a young age inspired us to write music for a larger audience.” Thunder Club grew up listening to many musical influences, but two bands, “The Strokes and Bloc Party played a huge role in shaping the initial direction of our music. Our sound stays true to our Indie Rock roots while also incorporating an added layer of adrenaline. We like to describe it as Indie Rock with an edge.”
“Indie Rock with and edge” is the perfect way to describe Thunder Club’s new EP, “Summer Vice”. When I asked the band to share some insight into the new EP, they stated “the irony of the ‘Summer Vice’ EP is the it was recorded in the dead of winter. Throughout the writing and recording process, we were longing for those sticky summer nights that carry so many memories. We used this as inspiration to develop and EP that, even on the dreariest of days, can help a listener relive the unforgettable moments of summer.” “Summer Vice” begins with Pocketbook Lover, a song filled with classic Indie Rock sounds that will put everyone in a good mood. The song begins with amazing, upbeat guitar chords that leads into Garret Cusack’s emotion-filled vocals. “I slept outside on a cloudy day, don’t invite anyone. With all the screaming baby, don’t think I can go on.” This song is filled with lyrics that the fans will sing along to, especially the irresistible chorus! If I had to compare the instrumentals of this song, I would say it’s most similar to Vampire Weekend, an Indie Rock favorite by most!
Thunder Club continues “Summer Vice” with Hot Words. I love this song because the band shows off their edgier side. The instrumentals on this song are a little more similar to a harder alternative rock song. The chorus of this song has much stronger, dominant sound, similar to a chorus on a song by Brand New. Cusacks vocals are complimented by fast paced guitar riffs and hard hitting drumming! I love listening to a band that is able to add variety into their album and change their sound up between songs. Even if it is a subtle change that you wouldn’t think impacts the song much, it always does. Those little changes, whether its tempo, cadence of the vocalist, etc, plays a big role in each song! Thunder Club ends the EP with Go Ahead, one of the album’s singles. Go Ahead is the song on this EP that will become an anthem for the remainder of your summer. It has such a lighthearted feel while keeping in tone with the bands “edgier” sound. The song is highlighted by the guitar chords and chorus that will make you sing your heart out! This is the song that you will be blasting in your car on the way to the beach!
Thunder Club has a main goal within their music. “A general theme of the music is to give a big middle finger to the forces in life pressuring us to not enjoy the moment. As young people, we are constantly facing pressure to act a certain way, work a certain way, and be with certain people. Our music responds to these pressures by celebrating the unpredictable moments in life that shape who we are.” This message is so important. Everyone has to stop moving their lives in the directions that others want them to. You will not be happy and successful if your heart isn’t in it! Keep doing what your doing and don’t worry about the opinions of others. Live your life for yourself!
Thunder Club is another amazing Indie/Rock band to be featured on this blog. “Summer Vice” is an irresistibly catchy EP that should be played at full volume! Over the next few months, Thunder Club will be promoting the new EP with shows throughout the East Coast, including shows in Baltimore in September and D.C. in October. If you can, make sure to go out and support the band at their shows! Be sure to follow Thunder Club’s social media accounts and listen to “Summer Vice” on the blog’s Spotify playlist: After Hours Review!