Following on from the Top Ten success enjoyed by previous release ‘Wonder Days’, ‘Rip It Up’ – as the title suggests – sees Danny Bowes, Luke Morley, Ben Matthews, Chris Childs and Harry James stretching themselves musically, lyrically and creatively.

Frontman Danny said simply, “After the positive reaction to Wonder Days we were very happy, and it justified the approach we took in the writing and recording. We decided to push it further on all fronts this time, to see what happened, and I think it shows in the writing and the individual performances. We couldn’t have made this album 10 or even 5 years ago, we weren’t good enough! We’re really looking forward to playing the new tunes live alongside the more established ones”

. Fans don’t have to wait long, the band will embark on a nationwide UK tour in March 2017, with full details and ticket links here: http://bit.ly/2d8TNAn

This album comes nearly three decades into their career and, if 27 is normally famed and feared as the rock milestone at which many of the great and the good have had their creative flames extinguished, then Thunder have arrived with a bulging bag of tunes, a notebook of great lyrics, a jerrycan of petrol, and a match. There are rockers, like the incendiary title track, ripsnorters like ‘She Likes The Cocaine’, whilst songs like ‘Right From The Start’ take the pace down, but turn the intensity up. Whilst the album closes out with the stylish blues-tinged melancholia of ‘There’s Always A Loser’, it’s clear that the band have continued with their winning ways.

After a Summer of great gigs including killer performances at Ramblin’ Man and Steelhouse Festival, the quintet know what works and how to pace a set of songs. Title track ‘Rip It Up’ is more than just a great and contemporary rock track, it’s a statement of intent. Thunder, as Danny sings, “Don’t do subtle, don’t rely on luck,” there’s quality in depth and style to burn here. Thunder have never sounded so intent or intense and, whilst this album cleaves to what made the band’s fans fall in love with them originally, there’s risk taking and ambition aplenty here. Thunder have no interest in taking the easy way.

Album Tracklisiting

No One Gets Out Alive

Rip It Up

She Likes The Cocaine

Right From The Start

Shakedown

Heartbreak Hurricane

In Another Life

The Chosen One

The Enemy Inside

Tumbling Down

There’s Always A Loser

You can listen to the title track ‘Rip It Up’ in this article.

“The first time I witnessed a live set by Thunder was at Indigo at The O2 in Greenwich, London for Childline Rocks 2009. It was a special evening of music with sets by bands such as Hot Leg, Steve Harley, Glenn Hughes, Uriah Heep, the late and great Jon Lord and Thunder to name a few. Although each artist only had a short amount of time, everyone provided a musical and heartfelt extravaganza. When Danny Bowes started singing live favourite ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ (a song I had not heard before this event) it proved that this outfit know how to entertain an audience and get them on their side.

Fast forward to July 2016 and aged 22, I am watching Thunder rock out on the main stage at Ramblin Man Fair in the gorgeous surroundings of Mote Park, Maidstone and thinking ‘My God these guys still have it and they have so many kick-a** songs as well! 

On first listen to their new title track ‘Rip It Up’, I feel like that know is the right time for them to release this new album as it has a mature sound that can only be shaped by a band or artist who have been recording and touring for many years. That said, it still has a real contemporary rock bite that should secure them a whole new legion of rock fans. Combine this new material with an extensive headline UK tour and a treasure chest of classic rock hits and Thunder have a recipe for an impactful 2017!” – Glenn Sargeant Just Listen To This

Glenn Sargeant

(Feature Image Photo Credit: Jason Joyce. Many thanks to Chris Hewlett for help with this announcement)