Fantastic Thrush

Formed and based in Northumberland in the UK, FT is made up of Alex and Scots Mick. Two different people with a lot in common. Both moved to the same town, met in a bar, talked about music, football and life and FT eventually appeared. Both have backgrounds in punk/alternative music. Alex used to play guitar in angry dead-end punk bands in Nottingham then co-formed Cycle in Newcastle with a bass player called Skate, back in his native North East of England. Described as the best, but laziest band on the scene at the time they split when their drummer moved to the USA. Alex and Skate realised that Gor was the best drummer they had ever heard and played with. Anything else would be second best, so they quit. With Gor's solid drumming and Skates hypnotic bass lines Alex said he learned more about matching bass and drum patterns in Cycle rehearsals than listening to any recording. Scots Mick traveled around Europe, North America and Australia selling t-shirts for bands on tour. Touring with big name artists like REM, Johnny Cash, Blondie, David Byrne, Deicide and many other not so world famous acts (i.e. punk). And he survived the infamous GBH tours of North America, working across the continent on a tourist's visa, blagging his way past American and Canadian customs and managing not to get shot on a few occasions. Realising that you don't have to tune a PC they started messing about with sounds and beats using the punk methodology of just don't think too hard about it, if it sounds good to you, just do it. This has resulted in the eclectic sound they have. Each track mirroring their mood at the time. However unlike their punk days they take a bit more time in the production of the material these days. FT have had their tracks played regularly on DJ nights across Europe thanks to DJs "John & Pete". They are currently unsigned. All focus is on creating their new material and enjoying life. In between playing at pop stars on the PC they fill their time with their other passions, partying and football (soccer to the Americans). Scots Mick's passion is the new superteam in England, Chelsea FC. He's making a nice profit betting on their games. Alex's passion is Nottingham Forest FC. Once champions of Europe, now running out of leagues to be relegated down to. Keep the faith! At least for the national teams England do better than Scotland, if two men can't argue about football, what can they argue about? They are planning live dates towards the end of 2005 around the UK. The punk and alternative music influences have shaped their attitudes. Their music was shaped by their other musical influences. Grandmaster Flash, The Beastie Boys, Orbital, Air, The Orb, Kraftwerk, Public Enemy, Hawkwind, Al Green, The KLF, Primal Scream, KMFDM, Black Grape, Aphex Twin, Roni Size, Everlast, Faithless, Atari Teenage Riot, Moby, Arab Strap, James Brown, B.A.D., Daft Punk, Funkadelic, De La Soul, Front 242, Revolting Cocks, Lasgo, Erasure, The Mad Professor, Groove Armada, Cypress Hill, MC Solaar, Happy Mondays, Butthole Surfers, Fatboy Slim, Death In Vegas, Depeche Mode, Tomcraft, Flowered Up, Electric 6, The Prodigy, Soft Cell, Milk Inc, Inner City, Goldie, William Orbit, Ian Brown, Ice-T, The Shamen, Jamiroquai, Utah Saints, Hybrid, Massive Attack, New Order, Prince, Baby Ford, Ministry, Sir Mix Alot, Paul Van Dyk, Roger Sanchez, Pop Will Eat Itself, Basement Jaxx, Radiohead, Run DMC, Scooter, Roxy Music, Ultabeat, Armand Van Helden, The Charlatans, Rick James, N.E.R.D., The Chemical Brothers and of course - Mortal Kombat. Told you they were eclectic. FT hope you enjoy their music. If you like it, pass it on. If you want to mess about with the tracks, do it. Thanks for checking us out!!! Alex & Scots Mick...