THUNDER TO LAUNCH TWO PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED LIVE ALBUMS ON JANUARY 26th, 2024, ON earMUSIC
7th December 2023 0 By Jon DeauxAmong the most popular and enduring British hard rock bands of the past 25 years, Thunder are to launch two previously unreleased live albums on January 26, 2024, on earMUSIC.
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The first of the pair, âLive At Islington Academyâ, captures the South London based band during the touring cycle of their eighth studio album, âRobert Johnsonâs Tombstoneâ. The quintet had already completed a lengthy circuit of the UK in promotion of the record when they were contacted by Planet Rock Radio (UK) about the possibility of performing a set before a live audience at the stationâs first annual Christmas Bash. As fun lovers of the most devoted kind, how could Thunder possibly say ânoâ?
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A mere 800 lucky fans got the opportunity to see Thunder perform at the Planet Rock Christmas Party on December 19th, 2006. Hosted by Rob Birnie and Mark Jeeves, the event was a massive success as the band offered up a storming, surprise performance dominated by golden classics such as âRiver Of Painâ, âLow Life In High Placesâ, âYou Canât Keep A Good Man Downâ, âLove Walked Inâ, âBackstreet Symphonyâ and âI Love You More Than Rock âNâ Rollâ, followed by a hot, sweaty encore of the hit single âDirty Loveâ.
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âFrom what I recall, no one in the audience seemed to have a clue that we would attend the party, let alone play, so they were all pretty shocked when we stepped on to the stage,â says frontman Danny Bowes. âIt was boiling hot inside the venue, also freezing outside, and we worked them pretty hard. They looked pretty hot and sweaty when it was done. I reckon a fair few of the crowd must have caught colds on the way home.â
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The second live album, âLive At Leedsâ was a more official affair, recorded nine years later on March 3rd, 2015, as part of a three-date arena tour in support of âWonder Daysâ, one of the finest studio records of Thunderâs career. In the pages of Classic Rock magazine, the late, great journalist Malcolm Dome declared: ââWonder Daysâ a massive reminder that class is both timeless and incandescent.â
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The resulting tour was shorter than the groupâs traditional treks as it marked the first steps of public rehabilitation for Ben Matthews, the rhythm guitarist and keyboardist who was in recovery from throat cancer. Unsurprisingly, these shows were emotionally charged for both band and audience.
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âMy overriding memory of that night at the First Direct Arena in Leeds was mainly the look on Bennyâs face when the audience reacted to him being back,â grins guitarist Luke Morley, who describes a first spell of his band stepping up to headline arenas in their homeland at last as âvery satisfyingâ.
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A 16-song set delivered a hatful of hits and no less than six numbers from âWonder Daysâ, namely its title cut, âBlack Waterâ, âResurrection Dayâ, âBrokenâ, âThe Thing I Wantâ and âWhen The Music Playedâ.
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Both concerts, âLive At Islington Academyâ and âLive At Leedsâ, stood as further evidence of Thunderâs prowess as live entertainers. And now at last you can re-live the experience.
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On January 26, 2024, both concerts will become available on CD, Vinyl as well as digital download and streaming.
Pre-Order here:Â https://Thunder.lnk.to/LiveAtLeeds
CD 1
- Wonder Days (Vinyl Side A)
- River Of Pain
- Black Water
- Resurrection Day (Vinyl Side B)
- Broken
- The Devil Made Me Do It
- Empty City (Vinyl Side C)
- Backstreet Symphony
- I’ll Be Waiting
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CD 2
- The Thing I Want (Vinyl Side D)
- When The Music Played
- Love Walked In
- I Love You More Than Rock âNâ Roll (Vinyl Side E)
- Low Life In High Places
- Higher Ground
- Dirty Love (Vinyl Side
Pre-Order here:Â https://Thunder.lnk.to/LiveAtIslington
CD
- Loser (Vinyl Side A)
- River Of Pain
- The Devil Made Me Do It
- Low Life In High Places (Vinyl Side B)
- Robert Johnsonâs Tombstone
- You Canât Keep A Good Man Down
- Love Walked In (Vinyl Side C)
- Backstreet Symphony
- I Love You More Than Rock âNâ Roll
- Dirty Love (Vinyl Side D)
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