Artist Interviews category interest

Many years ago, I had the pleasure of working with a really cool industrial/goth/electronic band called Pitbull Daycare. They recorded for labels like Cleopatra Records, toured with legendary industrial-metal bands like Ministry, Prong and Revolting Cocks and made a large number of fans worldwide. Pitbull Daycare was based in San Antonio, Texas and always seemed to straddle that same line that other like-minded Texas electronic bands like The Skatenigs, The Hunger, etc. did of delving into some dark metal and hints of the sludge and stoner-rock ethos. 

Now, years later, vocalist Stephen Bishop has formed a new band with quite a new direction, heavily inspired by that riff and psyche heavy stoner rock world, called Thunder Horse. Mixing equal parts Sabbath, Janes Addiction and Pink Floyd, Thunder Horse have definitely found a groove of their own in a very crowded Doom/Sludge world and it's a groove that we think has some serious potential. I had a chance to chat with Bishop for a few moments to discuss the past, present and future and present those moments here in a simple ten questions format. 

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So Bish, after all these years what inspired the foray back into the music industry?

 "I was out of music for a long time. I never stopped writing and recording, but all I had were a bunch of riffs and half songs. Nothing too serious or concrete. I was working in some fairly remote places, so music was my way of passing free time and staying somewhat sane. Gone from home, family and friends, and working long hours on the other side of the world gives you a different perspective and appreciation for days gone by. I always missed playing and recording, especially with my oldest and dearest friends. In a nutshell, I simply missed it. "

The musical direction is quite the change for someone we all got to know as a real player in the Goth/Electronic music scene. Has the whole stoner metal/Doom genre been something you've always been into?

 "I don’t think it is too far gone between the genres actually. My biggest influences in the industrial/goth scene had obvious influences from bands like Sabbath and My Dying Bride. It all stems back to the same roots, the genres just use different instrumentation. I grew up listening to 60’s-80’s metal and hard rock, and relied heavily on all of those influences in my “industrial years."

Speaking of roots, I'm hearing a lot of influences from classic doom and stoner-metal artists like Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Uncle Acid, Trouble, Sleep, Solitude Aeturnus, Cathedral, etc. What are you listening to a lot these days?

" I have found myself listening to a lot more organic music and the icons you mentioned are obviously part of that cache`. Here lately, I have been listening to a ton of the new generation of bands that are prevalent in this scene.  I tend to dial in to a friends Spotify playlist or simply type in a band I like in apple radio and create a station. It really turns me on to a ton of new music."

Even with the change in direction for you, I can still hear hints of PBDC coming through in songs like This Is The End, is that sort of a "you can take the boy out of the goth, but never the goth out of the boy" kind of thing, or a bit intentional? 

 "HAHAHA. This is the End was the first song I wrote for the first album. I was actually given a song by a member of a very big industrial (?) band and was trying to audition for a side project of his. I didn’t get the gig because he was wanting more Blue Oyster Cult type vocals, and my sound is obviously influenced by the more aggressive and abrasive performers of that scene. To make a long story short, the lyrics and melody for This is the End came out of that audition. I took what I wrote, and kept on writing. That one failed audition was the catalyst for Thunder Horse."

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I Gotta say I'm loving the big layered vocals in the choruses of songs like Coming Home and Liber Ad Christ Milites Templi, is that something you plan to explore a bit more in future releases/songs?

 "Oh man…the next album is so much more diverse and I think much more mature sounding. If you like the layered vocals and big choruses, you’ll love the next album for sure! I grew up a HUGE Beatles fan during the cock-rockin’ 80’s. Hell yeah I love BIG choruses!"

The songs have a decidedly dark, pagan sort of bent in the lyrics, where is the inspiration drawn from?

 "I draw inspiration from things around me. Every song wears its heart on its sleeve. Coming Home is about returning to music after a decade. Blood Ritual is inspired by my good friend Thomas Thorn from Electric Hellfire Club. I bought a painting from him and wrote a song inspired by that painting. I can rattle them all off, but each song is blatant in its theme. Hopefully people are able to dig into the lyrics and digest what I am trying to say!"

How has this whole Covid Pandemic affected the band? Did you experience any cancellations? Have you been pivoting to online shows? 

 "2020 has been pretty much fucked off. Other than getting signed to Ripple Music, we have had a pretty lame year performance wise. BUT; we have been able to accomplish a ton too! We wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered the entire next album all online. We are all separate by hundreds of miles with me in Houston area, Dave in Oklahoma, and Todd and Shakes in San Antonio, so we did everything via file share. We tried to do a LiveStream, but the weekend we had it scheduled, Hurricane Laura came through my neck of the woods. LOL…2020 man. "

Here's hoping it gets better. Speaking of getting better, you recently announced some news regarding future releases and a new label?

 "Thunder Horse is EXCITED to be a member of the Ripple Music family! #RippleMusic #RippleFamily Ripple is a powerhouse Bay Area label that has been signing some really amazing bands lately. We are truly honored that Todd Sevrin, the dude, took interest in us and brought us into the fold. Check out their catalog of bands, and you will see some familiar greats and some of our best friends from the Texas region! Stoked for 2021!"

You've been at this a while now, can you impart some knowledge for new artists just getting into the craft?

 "After 20+ years in the game and on the road, I can say that Rock-n_roll will never die, BUT, it needs our help right now. Please keep playing, writing and recording. Help #SaveOurStages. Support Live local music whenever you can. Don't be afraid the be different. Don’t be an elitist snob when people are trying to learn about music, or like something other than what you like. Always be open minded. Always play LOUD. "

Where can people find Thunder Horse now and when this world gets back to normal? Will you be touring or is this more of a regional thing?

" We truly hope to be able to get out on the road in 2021. After a dozen years on tour, we really hope to maximize our exposure this year by hitting up some of the genre specific festivals. There are so many of them, since this type of music is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. We are ALL ready to travel and play to old friends and new faces! As far as contact and notifications go, you can get all of our social media contacts at www.thunderhorseofficial.com . Also, https://www.ripple-music.com should have some info posted on us soon. We Hope to see you all in 2021! Thank you so much for an amazing debut release, and we truly hope you like the next one even more! Cheers from TEXAS! "