Thumlock

Thumlock were a stoner rock band from Wollongong.[1] The bands name was derived from combining the words thumbscrews and hemlock.[2] They formed in 1994 as a three piece by Ben Lough (guitar/vocals), Greg Eshman (drums) and Wayne Stokes (bass). The band released Dripping Silver Heat and then expanded with the addition of Raff Iacurto (guitar).[3] The band signed with High Beam Music and released an ep, Lunar Mountain Sunrise and two full length albums, Emerald Liquid Odyssey and Sojourns Lucid Magic and broke up in 2002 Emerald Liquid Odyssey reached #4 on the Australian Independent Record charts and was distributed by Beard of Stars in Europe.[4] Their next album Sojourns Lucid Magic was distributed in Europe by Cargo Records.[5] Thumlock have been likened to ""Masters of Reality" or "Paranoid" period Black Sabbath""[6] After Thumlock Lough, Iacurto, Stokes and Kane Goodwin formed another band called Reminents Of A Dead Star (R.O.A.D.S.) which released one ep Double White Lines.[7] Stokes was a member of The Wardens and Leadfinger. Since their formation in Wollongong, Australia in the mid 90s, Thumlock have harnessed the power of high octane, sci-fi-tinged, THC-fuelled rock. Travelling the well-worn path of east-coast freeways and beer-soaked bars, the quartet has successfully carved out their slice of the classic Australian rock pie. An independent release in 1997 allowed the band to find their feet in this treacherous landscape and caught the attention of High Beam Music, who released Lunar Mountain Sunrise in 1999. In 2000 Emerald Liquid Odyssey was released to an ever-expanding fanbase. Beard of Stars picked up the album for a European release and, locally, it hit #4 on the AIR charts and received Album of the Week in the Drum Media. Capitalising upon their continued success Thumlock released two singles from the album, recorded a track for the Blue Cheer tribute, and supported the likes of Hawkwind and Rollins Band.  Sojourns Lucid Magic is the next chapter Thumlock’s epic tale. From the opening single of Modulator it is all too obvious that their coastal hometown will not be able to contain the passion and the tenacity of Thumlock for much longer. Again drawing heavily from personal idols Hawkwind and the usual Black Sabbath riffs, Sojourns Lucid Magic brings out the classic subversive Australian rock sound that the band have for so long been teasing us with. Heroes from yesteryear Radio Birdman, The Saints, and the Hard-Ons all share the honour of influencing the next influential band from Australian shores.

Thumlock-Emerald Liquid Odyssey (2000) High Beam Music

1. Rockin' Course 

2. Etherel Blue 

3. Water 

4. Tramp The Charger

5. Doom Lord Dying 

6. Emerald Liquid Odyssey

7. 3ygocact 

8. Railroad The Sunset 

9. Planet Neptune

Lineup:

Ben Lough (vocals/guitar) 

Raff Iacurto (guitar) 

Wayne Stokes (bass guitar) 

Greg Eshman (drums)