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The Thanes
Garage / Folk / Psychedelic

1986 - present day - 23 years and counting...



Edinburgh
United Kingdom

Profile Views:  59290




Last Login:  7/17/2009
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   The Thanes: General Info
Member Since4/20/2006
Band Websitewww.myspace.com/thethanes
Band Members

Lenny Helsing: lead vocals and guitar

Angus McPake: organ, piano and guitar

Mark Hunter: bass guitar and backing vocals

Mike Goodwin: drums

former members of The Thanes:

Keith Douglas: bass guitar, backing vocals (2005-2006; not on any recordings); Mal Kergan: bass guitar, backing vocals (1993-2004); Ian Binns: drums, backing vocals (1987-1994); Nick Kennedy: organ, guitar, backing vocals (1993-1994); Denis Boyle: bass guitar (1987-1992); Clive Fenton: bass guitar (1992; not on any recordings); Bruce Lyall: organ, guitar, backing vocals (1986-1992); Alan McLean: bass guitar, backing vocals (1986-1988); Calvin Burt: drums, backing vocals (1987-1988)

Influencesrock'n'roll, r'n'b, the beat boom, folk-rock, freak-beat, acid-punk psychedelic and punk rock groups and artists from all corners of the globe who made the best records of their day; both the common garden variety and the rarer obscure kind!
Sounds LikeT H E T H A N E S
Record LabelScreaming Apple, Larsen, Misty Lane, Rev-Ola...


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The Thanes's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

RE-PRESSING OF EVOLVER CD...RE-PRESSING OF EVOLVER CD  (view more)

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   About The Thanes
..

About The Thanes:

One night As I Wandered On The Moors: The Best Of The Thanes - double LP (Corduroy Records CORD 065)

The Thanes have been plying their trade since 1986 in the semi-obscurity befitting an Edinburgh act that never moved to London. When I finally got to see them at the second Las Vegas Grind they knocked me out, so it's neat to have so much of their history in one place. Here are 27 fine selections demonstrating that ebullient or moody, fuzzy or precise, Lenny Helsing's band can always be counted on to take the basic garage conventions and turn them into something personal and exciting."

Downbeat And Folked Up (Screaming Apple - SCALP 147)

Brand new album of the Scottish beat legends the THANES, we cant hardly find the right words for it. The THANES have be around since 1987 and certainly belong to the very few really important bands of todays garage and beat scene. Hailing from Edinburgh, they have released tons of records on the coolest labels around, such as SUNDAZED, CORDUROY, MISTY LANE, LARSEN and DISTORTIONS to name but a few. The THANES of this ultra-modern age conjure up ever more new and always interesting twists and turns from their basic garage band vision. They are extending their collective antennae, reaching but further, sometimes bringing a new reaffirmation of a deeper folk-rock stance with evocative vocal harmonies and a jangling 12-string: to wit, there are covers by Bob Dylan, and The Beau Brummels, played out with true heart and soul. A few choice examples of the group..s mega-fixation with groups that existed in Holland thirty-odd years ago have also been selected for inclusion. One of the best is their interpretation of "I..m A Fool" originally performed by The Sandy Coast. Stomping and gyrating is also encouraged with original beat-style creations such as "It Can Never Be", "The Next One", and the furious buzz of the LP opener "That..s The Story Of Your Life". No other current band is able to combine all these musical elements of the sixties in such a perfect way. "Downbeat & folked up" is masterpiece of modern beat music and will not just take the hearts of all the sixties-devotees by storm. One hell of an album!

EVOLVER - The Thanes (Rev-Ola REV069)

For some of us who were there, the 80s garage revival is somewhat like one of those TV shows you loved as a kid but found meaningless as an adult. Sure it all sounded great at the time, but it also didnt exactly have stiff competition in such tripe as Tears for Fears and Def Leppard. But ah, the memories: Watching bands decked out in authentic threads playing authentic 60s equipment, the paisleys, the psychedelic lettering on the covers, and the hope that somehow, some way, the unlistenable dreck being piped out of the radio like so much industrial waste would burn up faster than the Space Shuttle did in 1986. Unfortunately, in retrospect the mostly weak songwriting, second-rate 60s covers, and other contrivances are more analogous to the post-gig, morning-after hangovers. And then there are the Thanes, Scots who could write originals to match their fine covers, and who focused more on the music and overall sound than on adherence to iconography. They may not have had the commonly accepted caveman look and bowl haircuts of so many contemporaries, but they made some excellent music -- as documented on this 27-song compilation covering 1987 through 2001. The Thanes generally play melodic, organ-driven rock (though never at the expense of the guitar), as best illustrated on originals like Girls, Thats the Story of Your Life, Before I Go, and Days Go Slowly By. But they can also handle more driving stuff, including darker originals such as It Can Never Be and Thrown Away the Key, plus a cover of the pre-fame Guess Whos Its My Pride. In a reversal of the typical garage revival band trend, its ironically one of but five covers on here, a previously unreleased version of the Kinks Wholl Be the Next in Line, that provides the only weak moment. Otherwise, "Evolver" is one of the few ways to relive the 80s garage revival and still feel good about it. And the story isnt over yet.

THE THANES – DISCOGRAPHY

LPs

The Thanes Of Cawdor - LP (DDT, 1987, UK)

Better Look Behind You - 10” mini-LP (Nightshift, 1990, UK) -recorded in 1988

Undignified Noblemen - LP (Misty Lane, 1997, Italy) -recorded in 1996

One Night As I Wandered On The Moors: The Best Of The Thanes - Double LP (Corduroy Records and Detective Agency, 2000, Australia)

Downbeat And Folked Up - LP / CD (Screaming Apple, 2002, Germany)-recorded in 2001

Evolver - CD (Rev-Ola, 2004, UK)

The Complete Undignified Noblemen Sessions – CD (Teen Sound, 2005, Italy)

Evolver – Double LP (“unauthorised” issue Abraxas/Get Back, 2005, Italy)

A Night In Great King Street 10” LP (Larsen, 2007, France)-recorded in 1999

COMPILATION APPEARANCES

I Am Alone (as by The Thanes Of Cawdor), on Dimensions Of Sound – LP (Mystery Scene, 1988, Germany)-recorded in 1986

She’s A Robber, I’ll Find Out, on Raw Cuts, UK Garage Disease – LP (Satellite, 1988, UK)-recorded in 1987

You Shouldn’t Be Sad / Who’ll Be The Next In Line, on Shangri-La, a tribute to The Kinks - LP / CD (Imaginary, 1989, UK)-recorded in 1988

Sun’s Going Down, on Misfit – a tribute to the Outsiders – LP (Screaming Apple, 1992, Germany)-recorded in 1989

Honey I Need, on Not So Pretty, 22 Bands from around the globe salute The Pretty Things – Double LP (Corduroy Records and Detective Agency, 1995, Australia)-recorded in 1993

I Would Love You, on Transworld Garage Scene Volume 1: Europe – LP (Misty Lane, 1995, Italy)-recorded in 1994

World Of Pauline Lewis, on If I Could Write Poetry, a tribute to Television Personalities – CD (The Beautiful Music, 2005, Canada)-recorded in 1996

You Shouldn’t Be Sad, on The Modern Genius of Ray Davies tribute CD (Mojo magazine freebie, 2006, UK)-recorded in 1988

When I Cried (live), on Riot On Soundflat Strip CD (mail order freebie, Soundflat / Screaming Apple, 2006, Germany)-recorded in 1989

Pain (live), on Ansia de Color 20th Anniversary issue CD (Ansia de Color magazine freebie, 2007, Spain)-recorded in 1990

She's Coming Home (live), on Lost In Tyme CD (Lost In Tyme magazine freebie, 2008, Greece)-recorded in 1990

45s / EPs etc…

Hey Girl + 3 7” EP (DDT, 1987, UK)

Hey Girl + 6 12” EP (DDT, 1988, UK)-recorded in 1987/88

No Need To Worry / Please Don’t Cry, on split 7” w/The Steppes (Lost Trails magazine freebie, 1988, Italy)

LSD (Got A Million $), on split 7” w/ Das Damen & Crazyhead (Sniffin’ Rock magazine, 1988, UK)

I’ll Rest / Baby Come Back 7” (DDT, 1988, UK)

She’s A Robber / Lazy Bones “unissued” flexi-disc (recorded for aborted issue 4 of Splendid International magazine, 1988, Germany)

Don’t Let Her Dark Your Dooragain / In God I Trust 7” (Screaming Apple, 1990, Germany)-recorded in 1988

Learning Greek Mythology With…The Thanes 12” EP (Satyrecords, 1992, Greece)

Dozen Thoughts Buzzing / Antenna Surprise 7” (Screaming Apple, 1994, Germany)-recorded in 1993

I’ve Seen Darker Nights / (Seems To Break Your) Happy Chain 7” (Distortions, 1995, USA)-recorded in 1993

Shipwreck / Dissatisfaction, on split 7” EP w/ The Others (Misty Lane magazine freebie, 1995, Italy)-recorded in 1994

Better Days / Never Make Me Blue 7” (Larsen, 1997, France)-recorded in 1996

X+Y=13 / World Of Pauline Lewis, on split 7” EP w/ Slow Slushy Boys (Do The Dog, 1999, France)-recorded in 1996

Don’t Say Why, on Expo 2000 split 7” EP w/ The Chocolate Watchband, The Rookies, and The Tyme Society (Misty Lane, 2000, Italy)-recorded in 1999

Hey Honey / It’s Gone – Double Dutch - 7” (Corduroy…, 2000, Australia)-recorded in 1996

Now It’s Your Turn To Cry, on split 7” EP w/ Bangtwister, The Grease Monkeys and Firestone:Legend Of The Hawk (The Big Psych-Out, 2000, UK)-recorded in 1999

It’s Just A Fear / Sun Didn’t Come Out Today 7” (Living Eye/Sundazed, 2001, USA)-recorded in 1999

No No No No / What More Can I Do 7” (Larsen, 2005, France)-recorded in 2001


   The Thanes's Friend Space (Top 12)
The Thanes has 3266 friends.
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The Thanes's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 1072 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Beatschaffe Originalaufnahmen





Jul 17 2009 7:33 PM

Hi Lenny.

Airmailed package with records to you today.
Hope you like them.

Cheers
Alex
The Barbacans [First Album OUT NOW!]





Jul 17 2009 11:25 AM

Hey Lenny! Thank you so much. I hope you really liked it.
Can't wait for Shindig!

Buzz buzz!! Joseph!

The Barbacans
THE BRUTES





Jul 17 2009 12:05 AM

Lenny! Fanx for the kind wurdz in the Next Big Thing review - and accurate account of the rest of the weekend - filled in a few blanks for me! T'was a pleasure to have ya along. TTFN! ....Jim
Paul Messis





Jul 16 2009 9:38 PM

Hi Lenny, oh great I'm glad you managed to get a copy... yeah i'm really proud that I got the sound I was after (Marty and Mole were blown away too)... K-Bank studios would be proud, wow your reviewing it... tell me where I can get Shindig!!.... the future for me is great... I have some rather brilliant minor key folk punkers too come and also working on a krautrock side project.
Atomic Suplex





Jul 16 2009 9:36 PM

WELCOME BROTHERS....YOU GOT GOOD TASTE!!

CLICK HERE



THE BRUTES





Jul 14 2009 10:47 PM

This Saturday in Embra!!!.....

 

TV21





Jul 6 2009 8:00 PM

TV21 are playing Edinburgh's newest venue The Electric Circus on the 25th of July. 

Guests are the wonderful Panda Su: www.myspace.com/thepandasu

Hope you can make it.





The Cathode Ray





Jul 5 2009 10:51 PM

Hey! We've got three new demos up which we hope you'll enjoy...
Dr. Caruso





Jul 5 2009 6:30 AM

thank you very much
dr. caruso
Russ Tolman





Jul 3 2009 7:28 PM

Paisley guitarslingers TRUE WEST play Down On The Farm Festival, Halden, Norway on August 7 & 8.
Sal





Jun 30 2009 2:38 PM

Thank you for accepting my friend request!!!!
The New Untouchables





Jun 30 2009 8:56 AM

Summer Fun!
 
 
 
The Five Aces





Jun 25 2009 1:03 PM

THE FIVE ACES ROCKIN’ DANCE PARTY. A night of rockin’ soul, rock n’ roll and rhythm & blues featuring live music from The Five Aces, The Bottleneckers and The Privates Hammond Orchestra. Mikey Collins will be DJing which makes this an unofficial pre club to the last night of the mod weekender. Tickets £5. Doors at 7pm, 1st band onstage at 7.45pm sharp  Last band offstage by 10pm latest.

Squirrel Skin Slippers





Jun 23 2009 9:57 PM

Layydeeees and Gentlemen! (..small snappy drum roll ensues..)

We're just callin through to say that the Squirrel Skin Slippers have a great new EP to soothe the skull and to put a large grin onto the jaw bone!

Available in 10inch vinyl (for gritty old record fans;), CD (for not-so ageing rockers), and iTunes (for the youngsters).

Buy a copy, tune in, relax, then put your hip out of joint while throwing drunken dance moves on your front porch to our Stomp'n'Roll Blues...


xx
Hoffmans Bicycle





Jun 21 2009 10:17 AM

hers some artwork for our show on the 15th august if your this way call in to see us!hoffmans bicycle.
 

Paul Messis





Jun 19 2009 5:41 PM

Hey Lenny, I was in Edinburgh man from Wednesday till this morning.... Spoke to Eric from Unknown Pleasures, managed to buy a Them 45 and finally got round to buying 'before the dream faded' on vinyl, Eric was a cool dude. I went to all the record shops in town and no-one had any Thanes stuff, not even the cd collection... I couldn't be arsed to walk all the way to Elvis Shakespeare, I got as far as Vinyl Junkie? and decided I need to get a drink.
The Barbacans [First Album OUT NOW!]





Jun 19 2009 1:04 AM

buzz buzz yeah yeah my favourite one... Joe
Sixties Garage Girl!!!





Jun 18 2009 11:13 PM

Ciaoo Lenny!! hahaha thank you for your sweet comment!You're so gentleman! §*^,^*§ .. i play Buddy Holly for you.. i promise..
a great KiiiSSSS!!!
Slania
^^
The Knavemen





Jun 17 2009 5:28 PM

Vintage Violence





Jun 17 2009 3:25 PM

will get on it right now lenny and try and sort it out.xxxx
the blinded colours





Jun 16 2009 11:33 AM

THANXALOT!!!!!!!

 

LA REACCIÓN





Jun 13 2009 10:21 AM

Hi friends!
Here..s our video-single like an advance of our album. We hope you like it. Let it go!!!.
DAVID VIRGIN





Jun 12 2009 9:25 PM

Hi & Love                        David

DAVID VIRGIN Is Interviewed by Warhol Superstar Joe Dallesandro for Punk Globe Magazine June issue with David Virgin on Cover, out now!,,, Click link to read ,, http://lnk.ms/08lRg

l_5dd45b80ac574d318a6dab714e994bd9


marty





Jun 12 2009 8:05 PM

Ticket price cut for Spiders Web rock n roll all dayer

Now only £10

the Spiders web allday rock n roll show - Three bands.

Saturday the 27th of June
with 3 bands playing
Hi Voltage, The Peas and the Uncle Red band
Plus DJs Tojo and Big Rick
starts 2 afternoon till 1 early morning
£ 10 entry

The Spiders Web pub
Morrison Street
Haymarket
Edinburgh.


Dr Space and the Psychedelic Spacemen





Jun 12 2009 5:15 PM

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