The Thermals

The Thermals are a Portland-based trio (they’ve gone through
a troop of drummers) that retains the energy and anger of punk and
grunge that famously flowed out of the Northwest in years past.

Frontman Hutch Harris has always written intelligent lyrics
that tackle big issues of sexual tension, mortality and the tension
that exists between the individual and institutions like church and
state. This year’s release, Now We Can See, has received a lot of
critical acclaim as it lyrically deals with life and death. It’s not
all doom-and-gloom, though: The heavy lyrics are wrapped in urgent
power-pop that, in live performance, is raucous and exuberant. So far,
the set list for this tour has covered the band’s entire catalog.

Opening for The Thermals is Shaky Hands, another Portland
band that provides guitar-driven rock accompanying a shaky vocal
delivery.