The Thomas Brothers Band Firewater
Dad passes torch to sons in rising country act
There is a wonderful phenomenon in the world of music, where the offspring of dedicated and sometimes successful music artists are offered great opportunities. They easily and quickly assimilate the knowledge, wisdom and experience of years of persistence and hard work, as well as success and some disappointments earned by their musically adept parents.
The Thomas Brothers Band
Sometimes the child might glean whatever they can use from the senior artist in residence, and then set off on their own voyage into uncharted waters, on a different course from that of their predecessor; similar to someone like the famously seductive blues and rock star Bonnie Raitt, whose father is the famous Broadway stage vocalist John Raitt. Or, the offspring might choose to stay a little closer to home, choosing a style or genre of music where the doors of opportunity can be easily unlocked and opened by the parent familiar to that genre, like Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley.
In Portland’s own neighborhood, there is a similar family torch passed on these days. And many local country music fans, who have actively supported this scene for some time, will be familiar with this family heritage handed down.
Ray Thomas Sr., a local drummer in country music circles, has played around the Portland music scene for many years performing with popular country bands at some of Portland’s largest venues. After introducing his two sons Ray Jr. and Chris to country music at an early age, he began to bring them to the clubs where he was playing occasionally to give them a better understanding and appreciation for working musicians...and just what it was that their father did on “those tubs.”
Now, the two brothers are well past the age of 21, both spending considerable time and effort perfecting their musical abilities. They are learning about the business of country music. These boys have put their heads, (and their instruments) together, to form a winning combination for their current, most successful incarnation of their band: The Thomas Brothers Band Firewater.
The band, hailing from Longview, Wash., purports a large following and packed rooms to perform on home turf, Nikki’s Bar and Grill, a popular country bar in Kelso, Wash. Though their father Ray Sr. says this most recent lineup of players has only been out performing for approximately six months, they sound more like they’d been working together for over six years. But Chris, who co-leads the band with his older brother Ray Jr., says they always rehearse twice a week with an emphasis on vocal harmony.
Chris remarks that the bands main musical goal is to emulate the country music, boy-vocal groups of the 1980s; primarily Alabama and The Oakridge Boys. And their polished, well-blended vocal harmonies attest to their dedication and persistence.
The current band line-up begins with the two Thomas brothers; (Ray Jr. who plays drums, sings lead vocals and co-writes and arranges the material; and Chris, lead vocals, guitar, alternate drummer, and co-writer and arranger for their material). The bass end of the rhythm section is held down by the newest member of the band from Castle Rock, Ore., Tony Renteria. San Diego native Daryl Pipken fills out the rhythm section playing rhythm guitar and adding vocal harmonies. And, there’s a saying that “Cowgirls never get the blues.” The young cowgirl in the group, another Castlerock native Susan Gold, seems to be living proof of that as she delights in rockin’ the walls and the halls with her Marshall stack, her innovative, well-honed guitar solos and her keyboard accompaniment. The band was also pleased at finding a proficient soundman to run their board, from the Island of Guam, Armand Sablan.
Together, this rocking quintet sums up a lot of musical experience, creative potential and persistent passion and love for their craft; it shows in their performances. Chris remarks that the band has composed over 40 original songs and counting, a necessary integral quality for an enduring, successful recording career. He also proudly states, “We’re the most political band around; we love our country.” That was richly evident when the band opened a set with an a cappella version of The Star Spangled Banner.
When asked where they’d like to be in five years, Chris says that it would be great to be signed to a lucrative, equitable record deal that wouldn’t require the band to be split apart and re-form. That would eventually land them a few gold records and a long vacation in the Florida Keys. In a final statement, when asked for a description of what kind of music the Thomas Brothers play, Chris states, “Well, the logo on our trailer says, ‘Not your Grandpa’s Country Band’.”
For anyone interested in getting more info on The Thomas Brother’s Band Firewater, they can be contacted at: thethomasbrothersband@yahoo.com or through their MySpace page located at: www.myspace.com/thethomasbrothersband.
They can also be heard performing as opening act for these upcoming concerts: The Lost Trailers, July 31 and Kristy Lee Cook, Aug. 15. (See Bandstand and ad for more)