Pitchfork

After three entirely uncompromising-- yet totally catchy-- lo-fi pop punk platters for Seattle's Sub Pop Records, the Portland pummelers of the Thermals revealed back in July that they might just be looking around for a new label to help with the fourth one.

Quite a few imprints came calling, and after much deliberation, the core unit of Hutch Harris and Kathy Foster settled on Olympia, Washington-born, Portland-based Kill Rock Stars. Thermals frontman Hutch Harris says that KRS offered the group "everything [they] wanted" for their new deal. Kill Rock Stars will issue the Thermals' fourth LP, Now We Can See, on April 7, with a leadoff 7" due March 10. 

We reached out to Harris this week via e-mail just as the ink was drying on their new contract to discuss the deal, the current state of both Now We Can See and the band's lineup, his nearly severed finger (complete with photos!), and nude pix of a pop icon.

Pitchfork: So, Kill Rock Stars, eh? How did that come about?

Hutch Harris: Oh hell yeah! They're located in Portland now, most of their bands are from Portland. Really, it's all about Portland. Kill Rock Stars pursued us very aggressively and made us a great offer.  

Pitchfork: You're signing the papers this week, as I understand it.

HH: Yes, we should be signing this week. The plan is to sign papers, cash check, leak record. Please don't tell them.

Pitchfork: Impeccable though their roster is, Kill Rock Stars' reach in terms of distribution, promotion, etc. is perhaps not quite that of your old label Sub Pop. [UPDATE: Kill Rock Stars and Sub Pop have the same distributor, ADA. Oops! Our bad.- Ed.] Can you explain now why you opted not to go with Sub Pop, despite their offers?

HH: We are aware of the differences, of course. Yes, we've given it much thought. Too much thought! Shit, you should see the list of other labels who were thrilled to put out our next record: it's only every great larger indie label in the country. Thank you to all of them, we love them all!  And we still love Sub Pop. Honestly, they treated us incredibly well and we never had anything less than full creative control. We will demand that of any label we work with.  Kathy and I make decisions on instinct, on feeling. We go with our hearts. I have to tell you it's a fantastic way to live! Kill Rock Stars showed an enthusiasm that was unrivaled, and they offered us everything we wanted in a contract. I won't get into specifics, because [it's] nobody's business! Plus, Maggie [Vail, Kill Rock Stars vice president] sent us naked pictures of Madonna, and you know that usually works.

Pitchfork: Most importantly, how's the record sounding? Are you pleased with the job producer John Congleton did with it? Anything surprising or interesting come about since we last talked about it?

HH: Yes, most importantly! This is hands-down our best sounding record. Thanks John! With what I think are our best songs, with our best lyrics yet, dude we are stoked!

Pitchfork: You know about any of the technical stuff? Release date, first single, cover art, anything of that nature? Any plans for those B-sides you laid out a while back?

HH: Now We Can See is gonna be officially released April 7, 2009. Check your local blog for leak date. KRS will release the a 7"/download single March 10, I believe. [Final tracklisting, single details, and cover art are still being settled. - Ed.]

Pitchfork: What's the current situation behind the drumkit? Still going with Jar Jar?

HH: Our new drummer, I can officially announce, is Westin Glass! Westin played with Say Hi most recently, and has just moved to Portland from Seattle. He is a sweet drummer, for sure! Our first show will be in Seattle, December 4. In other news, Jar Jar and I have a side project going. He writes some really controversial lyrics, though! Let's just say SOME people won't like it.

Pitchfork: You all ready for those December dates? Still expect to hit the road again once the record comes out?

HH: Oh hell yes. There will be massive amounts of shows next year, and the next, for sure. I do have a small disclaimer, and that is my guitar playing is not gonna be the best at these December shows, as I am just healing from ALMOST SEVERING MY INDEX FINGER. [Hutch kindly provided these gross photos, so please thank him if you see him. - Ed.]

This I did with a box cutter, by accident, a few weeks ago.  It's been a lot of fun. I just started playing again. Sometimes it feels like I'm just slapping a sausage against the fretboard! Dude! So, yeah, my solos are a little sloppy, or I should say sloppier. So, buyer beware!  Any screw-ups I plan to make up for with moxie, or whatever.

Pitchfork: How 'bout that Barry Obama, huh?

HH: Lucky just to be alive to see it! I cried multiple times that night. And I see Bush in a whole new light, now. It turns out the past eight years were totally necessary! As a country, we had to hit rock bottom before we could turn around and do something good for ourselves. It's like the USA was a junkie who finally decided to get help...

Pitchfork: Anything else going on that we should know about?

HH: Just that thing about the country being a junkie. Dude, picture how big the needle would be!

The Thermals:

12-04 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
12-05 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
12-06 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
12-12 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Club Festival
12-13 Madrid, Spain - Primavera Club Festival
12-14 London, England - KCLSU
12-16 Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
12-17 Utrecht, Netherlands - Ekko
12-18 Groningen, Netherlands - Vera