Artist description Originally a four piece from Seattle - Thistle trimmed down their sound and eloped to Portland in 1995. They have (or had as the case may be) a distinctly energetic and rambunctious sound that draws it's influences from twangy alternative country, gritty guitar rock and power-pop trios. Hook laden melodies and ripping guitar riffs paired with a solid rhythm section and intelligent if not abstract lyrics make up the basis for Thistle's unique and powerful brand of pop.

Music Style gritty 3 piece power pop with an alt-country twang

Musical Influences Beatles, Pixies, Cracker, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Camper Van Beethoven, Supergrass, Everclear

Similar Artists Pixies, Cracker, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Camper Van Beethoven, Supergrass, Everclear

Artist History The foundation for Thistle actually got started as far back as 1990, when guitarist Dave Curtis and drummer Dusty Hayes, together with a couple more buddies, formed the funky hard rockin Seattle group, Mean Tangerine. After several years of saturating the Seattle music scene - Mean Tangerine eventually fell apart and reformed a few months later with new bassist, Kelly Simmons from Portland, Oregon. This new trio needed a fresh moniker - so in 1995 they adopted the name Thistle (by far pre-dating any of the 'other' Thistles on mp3.com - but we were too late to get our stuff up here - hence the asteriks). The new line-up instantly began to create a buzz and adopt a following - they played all the hip Seattle clubs and opened for many touring national acts (including Seven Mary Three, Superdrag, and even Foghat!) - in 1996 they released a seven inch e.p. that received college-radio airplay worldwide. The group began to collect a huge fan base in their sister city Portland - so they moved the band on down to Oregon - where they continued to play increasingly more successful gigs. In 1997 there was much talk of a management deal with a NW mogul - and it seemed big time success was not far off - but a few months later the band disolved due to personal reasons. Although Thistle no longer exist as the power-pop trio - each previous member continues to find success in their local music scenes. David Curtis now plays in a group called Starbugs down in Portland. Kelly's band is called Man of the Year (previously Lolly) and are making waves all over the Northwest. Drummer Dusty Hayes went on to form Nevada Bachelors with former Thistle and Mean Tangerine alumni Robb Benson. Dusty left the Bachelors (and was replaced by Presidents of the USA drummer Jason Finn) in 1998 to start a recording/promotions label, PopRobot Productions - which can be found all over MP3.com. He also writes his own solo material (Prince Igor of Burma, Styrofonics) and continues to play 'session' drums for numerous Seattle groups including: Electrokitty, Gavin Guss Trio, Ants Invasion, Ruston Mire, Maxx Average & the Corporation, the Congratulators, and the Stocking Stuffers.

Group Members David Curtis - guitar, vocals - Dusty Hayes - drums, vocals - Kelly Simmons - bass, vocals

Instruments guitar, drums, bass and vocals all around

Albums Watering the Tulip Cream Farm (1996)

Additional Info check out the links to all the members of Thistle's new bands!

Location Seattle, WA - USA

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