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Thunder (band)

From Alfawiki
Thunder
Company typePrivate
IndustryMusic
Founded1989
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsHard rock music, albums, singles

Thunder is a hard rock group originating from London, England, formed in 1989 by ex-members of Terraplane: vocalist Danny Bowes, guitarist Luke Morley, and drummer Gary "Harry" James. They were joined by guitarist/keyboardist Ben Matthews and bassist Mark "Snake" Luckhurst. Initially signed with EMI Records, their first album, Backstreet Symphony (1990), reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart and climbed to number 114 on the US Billboard 200. Their sophomore effort, Laughing on Judgement Day (1992), peaked at number 2 in the UK; both records received gold certification from the BPI. All nine singles released from these two albums secured positions within the UK top 40.

In late 1992, Luckhurst departed and was succeeded by Mikael Höglund, formerly of Great King Rat, in early 1993. This lineup recorded Behind Closed Doors, which attained number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and produced three singles that entered the UK top 40. The 1995 compilation Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) reached number 22 and was awarded silver certification by the BPI. Höglund exited in 1996, with Chris Childs stepping in as bassist. Morley handled bass duties during the recording of their fourth album, The Thrill of It All, which secured a spot in the UK top 20. Their live album from 1998, Live, peaked at number 35, while the 1999 studio release Giving the Game Away reached number 49. The band disbanded in early 2000 due to external business-related challenges.

Thunder reunited in 2002 and created their own imprint, STC Recordings, under which they released their sixth studio album, Shooting at the Sun, in 2003; it featured the UK top 50 single "Loser". Subsequent studio projects included The Magnificent Seventh (2005), Robert Johnson's Tombstone (2006), and Bang! (2008), before another split occurred in 2009. The band resumed activity in 2011 with occasional live performances. Their tenth studio album, Wonder Days (2015), released through earMusic, marked their first UK top ten entry since 1995, peaking at number 9. This was followed by Rip It Up in 2017, which climbed to number 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

1989–1991: Formation and debut album

On January 1, 1989, vocalist Danny Bowes and guitarist Luke Morley dissolved their previous band Terraplane and initiated a new project called Thunder.[1] That same month, demos were laid down at Great Linford Manor Studios in Milton Keynes, collaborating with producer Andy Taylor, engineer Ben Matthews, and drummer Gary "Harry" James. Morley explained that the band's name was inspired by his track "Distant Thunder" combined with Taylor's solo debut album.[2] Initially, Steve Price filled in on bass for these demos until Mark "Snake" Luckhurst joined as permanent bassist in May 1989, completing the lineup alongside Matthews on keyboards.[3]

Thunder's inaugural live performance took place on July 13, 1989, in Southend-on-Sea, kicking off a seven-date UK tour dubbed "The Toilet Tour".[4] In August, they recorded their first album at Great Linford Manor with Andy Taylor producing; mixing was handled by Mike Fraser at AIR Studios in London.[5] The single "She's So Fine" was issued on October 30, followed by a 27-date tour across the UK and Ireland that included supporting slots for Aerosmith.[6] In February 1990, "Dirty Love" reached number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.[7] Their debut record Backstreet Symphony, released March 5, achieved number 21 on the UK Albums Chart and earned gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry.[8]

Four other singles from Backstreet Symphony—the title track, "Gimme Some Lovin'", a re-release of "She's So Fine", and "Love Walked In"—each secured spots within the UK top 40.[9] The album received critical acclaim as a robust hard rock debut,[10] ranking seventh in Kerrang!'s Albums of the Year for 1990 and voted as the 84th greatest British rock album by readers in a 2008 poll.[11]

To support this release, Thunder toured extensively across the UK during March,[12] followed by promotional appearances in the US where they engaged with EMI's Capitol Records—the original US distributor of their debut.[13] Due to Capitol’s limited backing for EMI UK artists, Thunder parted ways with them shortly thereafter.[14] They then continued touring Europe as openers for Heart and Love/Hate, also appearing at Monsters of Rock festival in August 1990.[15]

In September that year, Thunder signed with Geffen Records for US distribution; Geffen reissued Backstreet Symphony with updated artwork in April 1991.[16] The album peaked at number 114 on the Billboard 200 chart by June.[17] Singles "Dirty Love" and "Love Walked In" reached numbers 10 and 31 respectively on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.[18]

1991–1996: Chart achievements and lineup changes

Following worldwide promotion of their debut throughout 1991, Thunder commenced recording their second studio effort on February 3, 1992 at Outside Studios; mixing took place later that June at AIR Studios. Andy Taylor returned as producer alongside co-producer Luke Morley. In July, they supported Iron Maiden during a South American tour before performing again at Monsters of Rock festival headlined by Iron Maiden. August saw the release of lead single "Low Life in High Places", which reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. Their second album, Laughing on Judgement Day, debuted at an impressive number two on the UK Albums Chart—their highest position to date—and was certified gold by January 1993. Subsequent singles including "Everybody Wants Her," "A Better Man," and "Like a Satellite" all made it into the UK top forty; notably "A Better Man" peaked at number eighteen.

The band launched their Laughing All Over the World Tour starting October first with nineteen headline shows across the UK supported by Australian group The Screaming Jets. They concluded that year touring Europe alongside Extreme and performing dates in Japan. By year-end bassist Mark "Snake" Luckhurst was dismissed following an altercation involving photographer Ross Halfin. In February of the next year Swedish bassist Mikael "Micke" Höglund joined after selection from several candidates including former Terraplane member Nick Linden. Thunder maintained an active touring schedule throughout '93 including festival appearances and performing under their alter egos “Danny & the Doo Wops.”

For their third studio release—the first featuring Höglund—recording primarily took place at Southern Tracks Studios in Atlanta and Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles along with additional sessions in Surrey and Vancouver; mixing occurred back in Los Angeles. Mike Fraser co-produced with Morley. The lead single “Stand Up,” issued December ’94, reached number twenty-three on UK charts. Released January twenty-third ’95, Behind Closed Doors peaked at number five on UK Albums Chart earning silver certification from BPI. Singles “River of Pain” and “Castles in the Sand” charted at numbers thirty-one and thirty respectively. June ’95 saw Thunder winning Best British Live Act at the prestigious Kerrang! Awards.

The Behind Closed Doors Tour kicked off April fifth ’95 in Germany covering Europe, UK and Japan before concluding September first with a Tokyo show. Later that month they released their inaugural compilation album titled The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour (And a Bit), promoted by new track “In a Broken Dream” which hit number twenty-six on UK Singles Chart and topped UK's Rock & Metal Singles Chart. The compilation reached number twenty-two on overall UK Albums Chart and placed third behind AC/DC’s Ballbreaker and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ One Hot Minute on UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart; it also gained silver certification from BPI. Promotion included Their Finest Set (And a Bit) Tour featuring five shows across UK between September twenty-seventh and October second.

1996–2002: Bassist transition and initial disbandment

Beginning January ’96 Morley, Matthews, and James started writing new material with producer Andy Taylor ahead of recording their fourth studio project that April. This marked their first release under their self-owned B Lucky label distributed via Castle Communications, signed earlier that February. Sessions took place at Rockfield Studios, Wales; Morley performed bass parts due to Höglund’s family-related absence during recording. After completion by May Höglund permanently departed replaced by former Then Jericho bassist Chris Childs. Released first in Japan September first ’96 through JVC but delayed elsewhere due to Matthews’s tendinitis issues,The Thrill of It All launched internationally February ’97 reaching number fourteen on UK Albums Chart.

After touring Japan January ’97 followed by commencing UK tour February then Europe March some dates postponed into April because of Matthews’s injury complications. Further delays ensued when Bowes contracted pneumonia and laryngitis; knee surgery July led to brief hiatus period during which Childs and James appeared in rock musical Carnaby Street while Morley toured alongside Andy Taylor’s band The Power Station. November ’97 saw signing to Eagle Records releasing first live album Live February ’98 attaining number thirty-five on UK Albums Chart including top forty single “The Only One.” Recorded over four shows across Wolverhampton and London it was supported by tours across Europe & UK including opening slots for Status Quo.

In April ’98 Thunder recorded fifth studio effort Giving the Game Away. Lead single “Play That Funky Music” entered UK top forty June followed by “Just Another Suicide” retitled “You Wanna Know” domestically peaking forty-nine March ’99; album matched this chart position upon release shortly after with accompanying tour through May/early June. Later that year band announced breakup citing complex business matters rather than personal or creative differences; Bowes attributed decision largely to financial constraints & difficulty securing competitive record deals while Morley noted stagnation regarding growth prospects.

Farewell Tour spanned December ’99 across UK plus March ’00 dates in Japan culminating final performance May fourth Dingwalls London featuring acoustic set followed by electric set recorded for live release They Think It's All Over... It Is Now July ’00; acoustic portion separately issued as They Think It's All Acoustic... It Is Now May ’01. Post-breakup Morley debuted solo album El Gringo Retro March ’01; Bad Influence featuring James & Childs released One Way Love May ’01; James joined Magnum February ’02 while Bowes & Morley collaborated releasing ‘’Moving Swiftly Along’’ as duo ‘’Bowes & Morley’’ May ’02.

2002–2009: Reunion period

July ’02 Thunder announced reunion for Monsters of Rock appearances November with Bowes clarifying it as non-permanent allowing performances without long-term obligations. Recording sessions began October launching own label STC Recordings December releasing sixth studio album Shooting at the Sun initially online March then Europe-wide August via Frontiers Records. Although absent from official UK Albums Chart it produced top fifty single “Loser.” Extensive touring continued through ’03 into early ’04.

Between June-August ’04 band recorded seventh studio work at Chapel Studios South Thoresby produced by Morley engineered Rupert Coulson supporting Deep Purple & Peter Frampton November tour including single “I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll” reaching number twenty-seven UK Singles Chart.The Magnificent Seventh! released February ‘05 debuting seventieth overall & fifth rock/metal charts domestically followed by releases Japan/international iTunes supported by tours covering UK/Europe/Japan returning Europe/UK early ‘06.

Eighth studio effort ‘’Robert Johnson's Tombstone’’, October ‘06 peaked fifty-sixth domestic charts featuring eighteenth top forty single “The Devil Made Me Do It.” Touring included November ‘06 domestic dates plus European shows March ‘07 summer festivals & September Japan performances.In October ‘07 band began trilogy EP releases ‘’Six of One...’’ featuring unreleased/live material followed April ‘08 ‘’...Half a Dozen of the Other’’ then ‘’The Joy of Six’’ concurrent ninth studio ‘’Bang!’’ November ‘08 which reached sixty-second domestic charts.

Short January ‘09 tour promoting ‘’Bang!’’ preceded announcement second breakup citing increasing external commitments among members.They fulfilled scheduled European February Japan April final July tours concluding London Hammersmith Apollo show recorded for video release ‘’At the End of the Road: Live in London,11 July ‘09.’’ Last appearances were Rock of Ages & Sonisphere Festival July/August respectively.

2009–2022: Hiatus and resurgence

Following disbandment Morley formed The Union alongside ex-Winterville frontman Peter Shoulder with Childs playing bass; debut album ‘10 reached seventy-seventh domestic charts plus two more top hundred releases.Bowes & James contributed to Bad Company guitarist Dave Colwell’s solo project ‘’Guitars Beers & Tears’’.James remained active with Magnum whose ‘11 release ‘’The Visitation’’ hit fifty-fifth domestic charts.

February ‘11 Thunder reunited for one-off High Voltage Festival performance initially denying further plans but added Nottingham Rock City & intimate acoustic shows early ‘12 resulting live albums issued same year.Annual Christmas concerts became tradition starting ‘12.Band supported Journey & Whitesnake May ‘13 plus performed various summer festivals.

May ‘14 announced recording first new studio work since ‘08 inspired by strong fan response previous tour.Morley produced sessions Rockfield Studios mostly without Matthews undergoing throat cancer treatment.February ‘15 release ‘’Wonder Days’’ achieved ninth domestic chart peak highest since ‘95 earning critical acclaim including Classic Rock magazine naming eleventh best album ‘15.Band won Best British Band Planet Rock year-end awards.

Extensive Wonder Days tour included arena shows supporting Reef & Tax The Heat summer festivals European dates including Paris shortly after November ‘15 attacks plus arena shows Terrorvision & King King early ‘16.

Late ‘16 saw publication career retrospective book ‘’Giving The Game Away: The Thunder Story’’ authored Joel McIver launched Louder Than Words Festival.

Follow-up ‘’Rip It Up’’ announced December ‘16 released February ‘17 reaching third domestic chart highest since ‘92.Band performed first Australian shows then toured Europe April.

December first ‘17 released single “Christmas Day” featuring new/acoustic recordings.

October '18 announced new album ‘’Please Remain Seated’’ released BMG January eighteenth '19 featured twelve radically rearranged tracks spanning career incorporating rock blues country jazz soul influences.

As of October '22 latest release double album ‘’Dopamine’’ containing sixteen tracks lead single “The Western Sky” praised for sharp riffs immediacy music video premiered YouTube February seventeenth showcasing motorcycle journey across remote landscapes.[19][20]

2022–present: Bowes’ health issues and solo ventures

In November '23 Luke Morley confirmed Thunder is currently inactive due to Bowes' illness announcing his solo project ‘’Songs from the Blue Room’’.Morley also recorded/toured with longstanding acquaintance Spike’s band the Quireboys.[21]

Throughout '24 Morley continued touring producing Quireboys’ ‘’Wardour Street’’ completing third solo record ‘’Walking on Water’’ officially announced February twenty-first '25 alongside title track single.[22] Released August first '25 supported by September UK tour featuring bassist Chris Childs.[23]

Meanwhile Bowes embarked spoken word tour June '25 remaining unable to perform vocally.[24]

Chris Childs toured with Tyketto co-producing their '25 release alongside Danny Vaughan,[25] also performed with Guitar Heads alongside Harry James.[26]

Band members

Current lineup

  • Danny Bowes – lead vocals (1989–2000, 2002–2009, 2011–present)
  • Luke Morley – guitar, keyboards, harmonica, mandolin, backing vocals (1989–2000, 2002–2009, 2011–present)
  • Ben Matthews – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1989–2000, 2002–2009, 2011–present)
  • Gary "Harry" James – drums, percussion, guitar, backing vocals (1989–2000, 2002–2009, 2011–present)
  • Chris Childs – bass guitar, backing vocals (1996–2000, 2002–2009, 2011–present)

Past members

  • Mark "Snake" Luckhurst – bass guitar, backing vocals (1989–1992)
  • Mikael "Micke" Höglund – bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–1996)

Discography

Studio albums

Bibliography


External links

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  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Dopamine
  20. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  25. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/dannyvaughnvox/posts/and-thats-a-wrap-10-days-of-mixing-the-new-album-side-by-side-with-the-multi-tal/1199087628678052/
  26. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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