What's next for THS?

[nelg]

Great year. Busy year.

What is next. More live shows. New album? Finally a B-sides/rarities album. Are the vinyl reissues that they spoke of coming (perhaps on RSD)? Another Solo record from Craig. A year off? Surely someone on the boards must be in the know and we all have opinions. So much momentum built up in 2014.

What do we all think?

Happy New Year. Here's to hoping it is another great one for THS and the Unified Scene!

[nelg]

Personally, I would love a B-sides/rarities album. This would be amazing. I think I've mentioned that before (at least a hundred times). This would be an absolute dream come true.

[charlie]

I think they'll keep touring TD for a while -- at least I hope they do, because I haven't seen a show with the full band yet. My instincts tell me that they'll either keep rolling with TD this year or lay low and recharge. These guys are older/have families/etc.

As for releases, it wouldn't surprise me if they put out something to keep the fire sparked -- maybe a 7'', maybe those vinyl reissues, or a live album culled from one of these residencies they've played -- any of those would be fine by me, especially the last one.

I'd love a new studio record, but I'd always love a new THS studio record. I'm not rushing things.

[jessicalyn]

I'd love to see Craig do another solo album. As for THS, I want them to play in Akron again

[nelg]

I'd totally drive over the Akron again for a show. That venue was great. I also want more shows. It would be really cool if they released another single or something special for RSD or any other day.

[franknagaijr]

Jan 6, 2015 12:38:44 GMT -5 jessicalyn said:

I'd love to see Craig do another solo album. As for THS, I want them to play in Akron again

Ain't no party like an Akron Party! HNY Jessica!

[tbob]

Jan 6, 2015 9:46:48 GMT -5 charlie said:

I think they'll keep touring TD for a while -- at least I hope they do, because I haven't seen a show with the full band yet. My instincts tell me that they'll either keep rolling with TD this year or lay low and recharge. These guys are older/have families/etc.

As for releases, it wouldn't surprise me if they put out something to keep the fire sparked -- maybe a 7'', maybe those vinyl reissues, or a live album culled from one of these residencies they've played -- any of those would be fine by me, especially the last one.

I'd love a new studio record, but I'd always love a new THS studio record. I'm not rushing things.

When I spoke to Craig and Tad in October they said they felt they'd promoted Teeth Dreams as much as they could but did hint at festival dates in the summer.

[tbob]

I'm with everyone hoping for a solo album. Each and everyone in the band if poss! I'd be happy for a quiet year excepting those festival appearances and a grand THS return in 2016 as well though.

[doctoracula]

a new solo record by CF would be wonderful

[jessicalyn]

Jan 6, 2015 14:57:11 GMT -5 franknagaijr said:

Jan 6, 2015 12:38:44 GMT -5 jessicalyn said:

I'd love to see Craig do another solo album. As for THS, I want them to play in Akron again

Ain't no party like an Akron Party! HNY Jessica!

You're a legend around here, dude! Happy new year to you, too, Party Dan!

[lukeindetroit]

Screw all this. Go big or go home. New album, tour, etc. Why not

[thunderbirdcarpet]

I'm going to throw something out there that'll probably get a lot of hate, and that is a strange, sort of sad thing to say about my favorite band: I kinda think they should've broken up after "Heaven is Whenever".

Those first four albums are as close to pure rock bliss as I've ever known, and with "Heaven is Whenever", I just feel like they created the perfect growing-up tale--parties that start lovely and get bloody and learning to accept growing older and a little more resigned ("Joke About Jamaica" being the single greatest THS song). "HiW" was the ideal closer, warm but elegaic, sweeter and wiser.  There's even the circular nature of "Positive Jam" echoes in "Sweet Part". I think of those first albums in similar terms as Richard Linklater's "Sunrise"/"Sunset" movies, capturing different points in life.  As some people are entering, others are leaving and moving on.  It was a cycle, and I related.   "Teeth Dreams" always felt like an unnecessary, more violent, oddly mean-spirited reboot.

In 2015, I hope for a new Craig solo album and tour. "Clear Heart" was fucking amazing. It was nice to hear Craig's songwriting separate from the restraints of THS mythology (in a way like John K. Sampson's solo album vs. the Weakerthans' albums).

So there's that. I'd be curious to hear some other thoughts. I know that this doesn't tow the board party-line by any means, but it's my sincere feelings on my favorite, most personally adored band.

[dealwiththedealers]

Jan 8, 2015 19:32:05 GMT -5 thunderbirdcarpet said:

I'm going to throw something out there that'll probably get a lot of hate, and that is a strange, sort of sad thing to say about my favorite band: I kinda think they should've broken up after "Heaven is Whenever".

Those first four albums are as close to pure rock bliss as I've ever known, and with "Heaven is Whenever", I just feel like they created the perfect growing-up tale--parties that start lovely and get bloody and learning to accept growing older and a little more resigned ("Joke About Jamaica" being the single greatest THS song). "HiW" was the ideal closer, warm but elegaic, sweeter and wiser.  There's even the circular nature of "Positive Jam" echoes in "Sweet Part". I think of those first albums in similar terms as Richard Linklater's "Sunrise"/"Sunset" movies, capturing different points in life.  As some people are entering, others are leaving and moving on.  It was a cycle, and I related.   "Teeth Dreams" always felt like an unnecessary, more violent, oddly mean-spirited reboot.

In 2015, I hope for a new Craig solo album and tour. "Clear Heart" was fucking amazing. It was nice to hear Craig's songwriting separate from the restraints of THS mythology (in a way like John K. Sampson's solo album vs. the Weakerthans' albums).

So there's that. I'd be curious to hear some other thoughts. I know that this doesn't tow the board party-line by any means, but it's my sincere feelings on my favorite, most personally adored band.

Glad they did not break up, but 100% get what you're saying.

[doctoracula]

"A Slight Discomfort" would've been a perfect last song

[stringer]

Jan 9, 2015 7:26:12 GMT -5 doctoracula said:

"A Slight Discomfort" would've been a perfect last song

Wasn't it, like, meant to be?

[charlie]

Jan 8, 2015 21:44:39 GMT -5 dealwiththedealers said:

Jan 8, 2015 19:32:05 GMT -5 thunderbirdcarpet said:

I'm going to throw something out there that'll probably get a lot of hate, and that is a strange, sort of sad thing to say about my favorite band: I kinda think they should've broken up after "Heaven is Whenever".

Those first four albums are as close to pure rock bliss as I've ever known, and with "Heaven is Whenever", I just feel like they created the perfect growing-up tale--parties that start lovely and get bloody and learning to accept growing older and a little more resigned ("Joke About Jamaica" being the single greatest THS song). "HiW" was the ideal closer, warm but elegaic, sweeter and wiser.  There's even the circular nature of "Positive Jam" echoes in "Sweet Part". I think of those first albums in similar terms as Richard Linklater's "Sunrise"/"Sunset" movies, capturing different points in life.  As some people are entering, others are leaving and moving on.  It was a cycle, and I related.   "Teeth Dreams" always felt like an unnecessary, more violent, oddly mean-spirited reboot.

In 2015, I hope for a new Craig solo album and tour. "Clear Heart" was fucking amazing. It was nice to hear Craig's songwriting separate from the restraints of THS mythology (in a way like John K. Sampson's solo album vs. the Weakerthans' albums).

So there's that. I'd be curious to hear some other thoughts. I know that this doesn't tow the board party-line by any means, but it's my sincere feelings on my favorite, most personally adored band.

Glad they did not break up, but 100% get what you're saying.

I'm also in the "get what you're saying' camp. The first five records feel like a complete set to me, and there is a feeling of conclusion after "Slight Discomfort." However, Teeth Dreams represents a new, leaner, energetic reboot for the band in my eyes, and while it isn't perfect, it's a good start for THS 3.0 with Steve -- an older, more mature band.

The "heaviest record" tag has been thrown around by everyone during the promo cycle, so I'm assuming that things won't always be this loud and, as you put it, violent. I'm still holding out for a THS record of songs like "Sweet Part" and "Cheyenne Sunrise." 

[lukeindetroit]

Jan 9, 2015 11:00:12 GMT -5 charlie said:

Jan 8, 2015 21:44:39 GMT -5 dealwiththedealers said:

I'm still holding out for a THS record of songs like "Sweet Part" and "Cheyenne Sunrise." 

YES

[thunderbirdcarpet]

Thanks, guys, for the feedback! Not nearly as bad as I'd feared, haha... I still love THS and am still ecstatic to catch them live whenever they're around (three times in '14). Obviously, I'm still happy to have them in my life. It's just a snobbish part of me felt that they'd created a complete, cohesive artistic statement, and felt it was done. (A feeling probably not helped by the hiatus/solo album post-HiW.)

With that in mind, is it too inappropriate to discuss motivations behind the 3.0 version of the band? I do believe the guys are sincere, and I do believe that they all love making music and playing for a crowd of folks who are really fucking dedicated to them. But I wonder if CF felt similarly (i.e., "mission accomplished") and that's some of why he went on with the solo album and then THS machine turned out to be too decent of a day-job to abandon?  "Some other nights, it's work..." and all.

[parock]

Couple notes:

- Would love the time off coming meaning another CF solo album.

- Would love a double LP release of rarites/bsides

[muzzleofbees]

I guess we got an answer (sort of) on Facebook:

"Triskaidekaphobes beware: The February 13 party performance marks our 113th show in the past 13 months and is on Friday, February 13.

Given the extreme outburst of gargantuan rock in support of Teeth Dreams, we will be putting our collective feet up on the table and taking a well-deserved breather for the remainder of 2015. Easily bored, each of us has already confirmed plans for how we’re going to fill up our time during the year.

Craig is going to become a captain’s apprentice on the Staten Island Ferry; Tad is going to Bob Bondurat’s stunt driving school; Steve will be forming a Van Halen cover band; Galen will be finishing courses to become a UN interpreter; Bobby is going to move to Mexico to commence his Lucha Libre ascendancy.

We all want to thank our fans around the world that helped make these last 13 months some of the greatest of our career."

[muzzleofbees]

Jan 9, 2015 13:11:29 GMT -5 parock said:

Couple notes:

- Would love the time off coming meaning another CF solo album.

- Would love a double LP release of rarites/bsides

...but this is still a possibility. And I really hope it happens.

I guess we can't expect another THS album untill late 2016.

[delboydrums]

Jan 8, 2015 19:32:05 GMT -5 thunderbirdcarpet said:

I'm going to throw something out there that'll probably get a lot of hate, and that is a strange, sort of sad thing to say about my favorite band: I kinda think they should've broken up after "Heaven is Whenever".

Those first four albums are as close to pure rock bliss as I've ever known, and with "Heaven is Whenever", I just feel like they created the perfect growing-up tale--parties that start lovely and get bloody and learning to accept growing older and a little more resigned ("Joke About Jamaica" being the single greatest THS song). "HiW" was the ideal closer, warm but elegaic, sweeter and wiser.  There's even the circular nature of "Positive Jam" echoes in "Sweet Part". I think of those first albums in similar terms as Richard Linklater's "Sunrise"/"Sunset" movies, capturing different points in life.  As some people are entering, others are leaving and moving on.  It was a cycle, and I related.   "Teeth Dreams" always felt like an unnecessary, more violent, oddly mean-spirited reboot.

In 2015, I hope for a new Craig solo album and tour. "Clear Heart" was fucking amazing. It was nice to hear Craig's songwriting separate from the restraints of THS mythology (in a way like John K. Sampson's solo album vs. the Weakerthans' albums).

So there's that. I'd be curious to hear some other thoughts. I know that this doesn't tow the board party-line by any means, but it's my sincere feelings on my favorite, most personally adored band.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd1_I_giv28

[jwd]

Lord I'm Discouraged

[meoskop]

Really, really wish I'd been able to go to more of the recent shows. Hoping 2016 roars in like a lion and not a shrug. That said, if anyone deserves a break, these guys do. Got to be exhausted.

[orzelc]

The crucial question nobody has yet asked: What era of Van Halen will Steve's band be covering? Dave? Sammy? That other dude?