Introducing: Thrillhouse

Brighton duo Thrillhouse brought the refined Bunnymen / The Teardrop Explodes / Icicle Works sounds of the UK 80s indie scene back to life on recent single Fatal Flaw. We spoke to band member Alex about the song, dancing to Whitney, and (not) playing Glastonbury. Read on to find out more.

First up, could you tell us a bit about Thrillhouse?

We’re an Indie band from Brighton, just shuffling along this mortal coil trying to make a name for ourselves. We were forced to be friends by our partners and somehow ended up making a band together.

What motivates you, inspires your music and aesthetics?

We’re motivated exclusively by money and fame. Not really. I don’t really know what motivates me to be honest. I think it always changes. When I first started, it was to be a massive band. I used to be able to picture myself headlining Glastonbury etc. But over time you realise just how unlikely that is. I mean, there’s always a chance but you’ve got to be realistic. I stopped imagining things like that a while ago.

I think now the motivation is just to keep writing music and enjoy it for what it is, something we’re half decent at, that one day might amount to something. Sorry, that sounds quite depressing. I mean it in a positive way. We’re lucky just to be able to make music and even luckier that a few people listen to it.

Who or what would you say has had the most influence on your sound? There’s a strong 80s indie feel to Fatal Flaw.

I was a massive Echo and the Bunnymen fan for a really long time. Kinda went off them. Mainly just ‘cos of overplaying Ocean Rain I think. But I’ve rekindled my love for them recently and wanted to write something similar. Hopefully it’s not toooo similar. Eek.

We’ve never really settled on a sound. Will probably be the cause of our eventual demise down the road. But it’s nice to write different types of songs otherwise the whole thing gets a bit stale, I think.

I’d say maybe Talking Heads, The War On Drugs, Alex Cameron have had the most influence on our songs to this point. I like slightly sardonic lyrics but kinda ‘drivey’ music behind it. Think it’s quite a nice combo.

Do you have specific roles within the duo setup when it comes to writing songs?

Yep. I do everything and Jack, the long-haired ginger guy in the pictures, sits around on his arse collecting his 50%. It’s a great set up.

What song is guaranteed to get you up and dancing?

I’m not much of a mover sadly, coordinator’s all over the place. Though I can be teased onto the dance floor by Whitney. I Wanna Dance with Somebody can get me going. What’s Love Got to Do with it by Tina T, that’s another. Oh yeah, and def Come On Eileen. I can only do a kinda ‘dad dance’. That’s all I’ve got in the locker. Swivel from left to right, then back again with my fingers pointing at 10 to 2. It’s not great but it’s all I’ve got.

What other bands or musicians are you listening to on heavy rotation right now?

I really like Billy No Mates, everything she puts out is really good. There’s a tune called Modern Hart and I don’t know what it is about it, but I love it. Actually, I think it’s because it’s the kinda song I wish I could write… And ABBA, they’re never far away from my ears.

Who else on the Brighton music scene should we be checking out?

There’s some really great bands down here. I’m really into Youth Sector. If you haven’t heard Renting Spaces in My World, then I reckon you should. Public Body are good too.

And if you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Can they be dead? I guess not, but if so…Elvis. Why not. Alive…Let’s go Bieber. Not that I like his music, but it would make us way more famous. Good business.

Was there a specific moment or incident that led to writing Fatal Flaw?

Not really, it’s kinda like a love letter to people that stick by you when you’re having a crap time. So more of a thanks to the people in my life that have been nice, rather than a particular moment.

What’s up next for Thrillhouse after the release of Fatal Flaw in terms of new music, scheduled gigs, videos…?

Well…We finished recording our debut album earlier in the year and the mixes are rolling in now. So that’s exciting. It sounds great. The plan is to start releasing it early next year. Unless there’s a major label multi-million-dollar bidding war for it, of course. P.S…Any labels reading this, feel free to get in touch. Then going to start booking in some shows to get out and play it in the Spring.

Catch up with Thrillhouse on Instagram and Twitter. You can stream Fatal Flaw and more music from the Brighton duo on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.