Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2008

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Only Thunder/Suburban Home Records (Andy Thomas)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2008?

  1. Jessica Lea Mayfield - With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
  2. Torche - Meanderthal
  3. Dillinger Four - CIVIL WAR
  4. Cheap Girls - Find Me a Drink Home
  5. Able Baker Fox - Voices

What band did you discover in 2008 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Discovering Cheap Girls was really great for me. It was refreshing to hear people writing basic power pop that still had a distinctive sound to it. I liked how they also seem to be boozy, sad gentlemen like myself. I guess they were significant as they allowed me to relish in my sadness and boozieness.

How will you remember 2008? (In terms of music)

2008 was a great year musically for me. Working at Suburban Home/Vinyl Collective and seeing people's enthusiasm for music reach near fanaticism is something I haven't seen in years. Other highlights included The Fest 7, seeing three Suburban Home artists on the indie Billboard charts and playing in a band (Only Thunder) with some of my best friends in the world. 2008? No. 2000GREAT!

Vinyl record sales saw a significant increase this year while hard copy sales continued to dwindle. Is this a return to the glory days for vinyl or just a phase? Explain.

I hope it is here to stay. There is a certain mystique to vinyl that just can't be replaced with an mp3 download off a computer. I'm sure enthusiasm will wane a tad at some point, but I think the diehard collectors will always appreciate vinyl. Also, vinyl smells better.

What was the most memorable moment for you in 2008? (Can be in terms of anything)

Opening for Hot Water Music at the Gothic in Denver!

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

I will either write my first book or watch copious amounts of Internet porn. There's just not enough time to do both. Only Thunder will also be touring and coming to a town near you.

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2009?

Austin Lucas - Somebody Loves You, Rival Schools, and Against Me!

Homepage: http://www.myspace.com/onlythethunderrock

Related features

Serotonin Mist

One Question Interviews • October 24, 2025

Hiroshi (Serotonin Mist) SPB: The Bandcamp page on your new album states: No label, no producer. 100% DIY. Is DIY an important issue for Serotonin Mist (and why)? Hiroshi: I believe that being DIY has both good and bad sides. The good side is that we can control every aspect … Read more

Massa Nera

One Question Interviews • October 23, 2025

Mark Boulanger (Massa Nera – drums/vocals) SPB: What was your first live show? Boulanger: Our first show was on 05/09/16 at The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ. We played with Wastelands, Without, Yashira, and an insane NJ powerviolence band called Uncle Mark. If you aren't familiar, The Meatlocker is an absolutely … Read more

East End Redemption

One Question Interviews • October 22, 2025

Josh (East End Redemption) SPB: If your band had to be sponsored by a completely random household product (like cereal, dish soap, lawnmower, etc.), which one would it be and why? Josh: We would be sponsored by Turtle Wax car wax because "I wanna pet, I wanna I pet, I … Read more

Fest 23: Artist Interviews

Interviews / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

FEST 23 takes place later this month, from Oct. 24-26 in Gainesville, FL. Something like a billion bands are driving, flying, canoeing, and snowshoeing to the festival from across the country -- many of them for the first time and many come back to play nearly every year. Scene Point … Read more

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more

More from this section

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more

Guest List: ADD Records Picks 5 Favorite Leatherface Songs

Music / The Set List • October 18, 2025

This summer Little Rocket Records announced Leatherface: The Peel Sessions, a collection of live studio recordings with Leatherface from the 1990s with the late John Peel. While Little Rocket handled the release, ADD Records took on US distribution for a limited release. Available from ADD records here As Leatherface means … Read more

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more