The Thang is a Brooklyn based funk rock band that fuses the musicality of professionally trained players with a pop sensibility and a great sense of humor to create a distinctive, fun, funky sound.
The Thang was born in the spring of 2008 when the five members of the Brooklyn bands Shaw Thang and Esther Macomb decided to join forces.
The Thang's roots are in funk (Parliament, James Brown, The Meters, Prince and Earth, Wind & Fire), rock (Jimi Hendrix, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Phish, The Beatles, Raconteurs), jazz (Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Al Foster, Freddie Green), and hip-hop (Mos Def, The Roots, Jay-Z, Nas). They are also voracious music fans and are continually influenced by new music in all genres.
In the live context, the Thang is committed to highly energetic and fun live shows. They strive to have all crowds dancing and to create a true party vibe. They have played shows all over the northeast, including gigs at Nectar's in Burlington, VT, the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY, the Knitting Factory and the Bitter End in New York City, Vassar College, and SUNY Purchase. They have also appeared at the Sterling Stage Folk Festival and under their former name went on a full scale tour of Colorado in February of 2008.
"As Evan Eisenberg has observed in 'The Recording Angel;' "funk suggests the following (dialectic): music having started out as a ritual, having then become a thing, now becomes a THANG. The difference is profound. A thing occupies space, a THANG occupies time and preoccupies people. A thing above all is private, a THANG can be shared. As THANG music is again communal and celebratory. Again it is spirit: again it is ritual...."
The Thang's funky debut album "Let's Do This" was released in July of 2008. You can purchase it at www.cdbaby.com/thethang or through snocap (it will be on itunes shortly).
Great show the other night. you guys are playing tight! The video just made my day......I've been doing the sprinkler walking around work....getting some weird looks!
Hey Boys!!! great show at The Lovin' Cup!!! Thanks for letting me sit in... it was a blast!!! It was great seeing you too. Miss you dudes, come back soon!
Your music has a great vibe. Thank you for your friendship we wish you all the best for the New Year. Please let us know if we can help you in anyway. Stop by anytime and leave us a comment. Peace, Love and Revolution Nick
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Had a great time seeing you guys last weekend. I hope the Red square thing works out where it won't be such a reunion of people I don't get to see all the time.