Hutch Harris Missed The Thermals, So He Made a New Thermals Album — Alone, Again

Ten years ago Hutch Harris broke up The Thermals. He’d had enough of practicing and touring, and decided it was done. What he didn’t anticipate was how much he’d miss the writing and recording parts, the noise and chaos the band always embodied. He released three solo LPs in the interim. It wasn’t the same. So he did what he did in 2003 when he first started the band in a rented house in Southeast Portland: he went into his studio alone and made a Thermals record.

Under Crushing Rain, out September 4 on Harris’ own label Static Catsup Aspic, was produced at his own studio (Brainwash) and made in the spirit of More Parts Per Million: quickly, by himself, on his own terms. Not as no-fi as the debut, but close. Lead single “Spirit Collectors” arrives as a full-throated statement of purpose about the petty ghouls who seek to drain your energy, waste your time, and steal what you’ve worked for. Harris has always written political fury into pop songs this compact. The decade away didn’t change that.

Kathy Foster, for those asking, is right there: sitting beside Harris working on the LP layout as he wrote the announcement. She gave the album her blessing and her help. Pre-order below.

Pre-order Under Crushing Rain ↗

1“Good Morning Fellow Scavengers”

2“A Dark, Dark Place”

3“Spirit Collector”

4“Now I Believe”

5“In the Flow”

6“I Have Had Enough Blood”

7“I Will Be Delivered”

8“Angel Eyes Are Always Watching”

9“On a Wind So High”

10“Under Crushing Rain”