Following the release of his latest single 'Back At My Life' we caught up with conscious rock artist Andrew Thomases to find out the influences in what goes into his eclectic sound. If you like Andrew's picks be sure to check out 'Back At My Life' at the end of the article.
1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Beatles
"The Beatles were my first musical love. In fact, my dad caught me humming this song when I was a little kid, long before I knew what music was. He must have been playing it sometime before, and I caught the bass line in my head. George was a masterful songwriter, and the whole band (plus Eric Clapton) put together an amazing track. Melancholy and poignant. The piano, the guitar licks and solo, the descending bass line, the wails at the end – all just perfect."
2. Pictures Of You - The Cure
"I am a child of the 70s and 80s, and I fell in love with The Cure in high school. They were so different from most of the music of the time. Then, I was a college radio DJ in 1989, when 'Disintegration' was released, and this song just mesmerized me. It is very simple in its chord progression, but it has so many interesting layers of guitars and synths that build a wall of beautiful sound. I can hear something new every time I listen to it. I am so happy they are still touring, and I just saw them in May 2023. Pure nostalgia. "
3. Jack And Diane - John Mellancamp
"I was an early teen when this song came out, and it really hit home. The music video was a staple on MTV, and I watched it all the time. John Mellancamp’s (at the time John Cougar’s) storytelling grabs you and sucks you in. The handclaps, guitar, and drum fills are all upbeat, but the lyrics are a bit sad. “Hold on to 16 as long as you can; change is coming ‘round real soon, make us women and men,” and “life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.” As an older songwriter, I can only wish to drum up imagery as well as this song does."
4. Lost In The Supermarket – The Clash
"Without a doubt, 'London Calling' is one of the best albums of all time, and one of the highlights is “Lost In The Supermarket.” The driving bass, the chorusy guitars, the melody, and the expressive vocals. The song is upbeat and sad at the same time – instilling a sense of loneliness. But, the listener can relate. For me, it reminds me of times as a kid when you felt bummed out and alone, when no one got you, when you just wanted to be by yourself. Sometimes, that feeling still hits me today. I certainly feel those themes in some of my own songs."
5. Blinded By The Light – Manfred Mann
"This has to be one of the best cover songs ever recorded. Manfred Mann’s interpretation of the Bruce Springsteen song is simply amazing. I give full props to The Boss for the imagery the lyrics evoke (I even quoted them in my high school yearbook – “Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun, but mama, that’s where the fun is”) and for his internal rhyming scheme, but the musical track laid down by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band takes it to another level. The psychedelic guitar fills and solo, the driving bass, the organ, the “Chopsticks” interlude, and then the overlapping, urgent-sounding vocals at the end. All add up to an amazing track that I can listen to over and over. I only wish that I could create a cover version of any song that is half as good as this stunning creation. (And for more fun, check out this mashup parody my friends and I did"
Listen to Andrew Thomases 'Back At My Life'