(photo by Ryan)

Last night at the Southgate House, Thunderbirds Are Now! tested out one of their new songs. I don’t know what it’s called, mostly because the band doesn’t know either. However, they’re in agreement about one thing - it’s the best song they’ve ever written. Frankly, I’m having a hard time disagreeing with them.

I don’t want to say that I was upset that TAN! opened for Enon. Enon is an established band with a very wide fanbase. However, I will say that the night’s festivities peaked during Thunderbird’s set. And what wasn’t to love about them? Lead singer Ryan Allen focused intently on his riffs while his brother, Scott, feverishly shook tambourines like he was in the middle of a revival. If you haven’t yet experienced TAN! in concert, maybe you think I’m just blowing smoke. But if you’re one of the lucky people who know what I’m talking about, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. These Detroit natives worked their butts off to provide us with a half hour of rock. And for that, I thank them.

MP3:
TAN! - Newport, KY 7-21-05 - New Song (3mb)
(I challenge you not to get the ending “ba ta da da” part stuck in your head)

WMV:
Thunderbirds Are Now! - Newport, KY 7-21-05 (152mb/30min)

Thunderbirds Are Now! Tour Dates
8-18: Detroit, MI - Magic Stick w/ Rahim
8-19: Lansing, MI - Mac’s Bar w/ Rahim & Ari Ari
8-20: Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle w/ Rahim & the Dials
8-21: St. Louis, MO - Hi-Pointe w/ Rahim
8-22: Newport, KY - Southgate House w/ Rahim
8-23: Columbus, OH - Little Bros. w/ Kiss Me Quick
8-24: Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
8-25: Philadelphia, PA - Khyber
8-26: New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom w/ Les Savy Fav & Rahim
8-27: Boston, MA - TT The Bears w/ Rahim
8-28: Buffalo, NY - Showplace Theater
8-29: Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
9-6: Seattle, WA - @ TBA (w/o MTB & TAAS)
9-7: Portland, OR - Berbati’s Pan w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-8: Spokane, WA - Fat Tuesdays w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-9: Boise, ID - Venue w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-10: Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-11: Denver, CO - Cervantes w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-12: Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-13: St. Louis, MO -Creepy Crawl w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-14: Urbana, IL - The Courtyard Cafe w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes, & the City on Film
9-15: TBA w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes, & the City on Film
9-16: Chicago, IL - The Bottom Lounge w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes, & the City on Film
9-17: Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-18: TBA w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-19: TBA w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes
9-20: Boston, MA - Middle East Downstairs w/ Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes, & the New Trust
9-21: New York, NY - Mercury Lounge w/ Oxford Collapse & Mommy and Daddy
>>See Full Tour Dates