British hard-rock heroes, Thunder, release their 14th studio album Dopamine on 29th April. Following in quick succession from their UK No.3 charting All The Right Noises, the double album Dopamine is a cornucopia of what Thunder do best and always have, rock, harder, better and longer than everyone else. After losing our collective minds to the lead single The Western Sky, a track that oozes that classic Thunder, we got guitarist/vocalist Luke Morley to make us a playlist of songs that have influenced Thunder to bring the thunder for the last 30 years and counting.
Songs That Bring The Thunder
1. Free - I’m A Mover
When Danny and I were in our first band aged 15 or 16 we covered this song and Free’s influence is still very easy to see in Thunder’s sound - very bluesy and very English
2. Led Zeppelin- In The Light
Jimmy Page’s genius with guitar arrangements was and still is a massive influence on me and their ability to wander into different musical areas without losing their own identity is something we’ve always greatly admired.
3. The Who - The Real Me
In Thunder we’ve always taken pride in our live performances and The Who were a massive influence in this area - great use of dynamics, great performers and always very exciting to watch.
4. The Rolling Stones - Jumping Jack Flash
Another song we used to cover as kids. The Stones are not individually the most gifted musicians but the sum of the parts is an absolute monster! Their best material always grooves brilliantly and I think we’ve always tried to make rock music that makes you want to dance.
5. Stevie Wonder - I Wish
The influence of soul music on us can’t be overstated and this is still a very inspirational track; great groove, unbelievable vocals and superb brass arrangement.
6. Steely Dan - Aja
Maybe not an obvious choice but SD are a massive influence musically and particularly lyrically. They sum up a particular collegiate, preppy aspect of American culture that was fascinating to me as an English teenager.
7. The Beatles -Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane
Arguably the best double a - sided single ever. Two peerless songs that bring back childhood and the 60s. Their influence is massively important on all musicians that grew up around the same time as us.
Another chapter in Thunder's incredibly successful history that has seen them create a succession of some of the most highly-regarded rock albums of the past 30 years. The key to their renown: brilliantly conceived top-drawer material. Thunder is the last of the true British rock giants.
Watch the video for Thunder's epic 1990 hit Dirty Love below.
Dopamine
CD1 / LP1
01. The Western Sky
02. One Day We'll Be Free Again
03. Even If It Takes A Lifetime
04. Black
05. Unraveling
06. The Dead City
07. Last Orders
08. All The Way
CD2 / LP2
01. Dancing In The Sunshine
02. Big Pink Supermoon
03. Across The Nation
04. Just A Grifter
05. I Don't Believe The World
06. Disconnected
07. Is Anybody Out There?
08. No Smoke Without Fire
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