NEW SONG OFF THE UPCOMING ALBUM: 'SURFACE DEPTH'

Click on the player in the right margin (if it isn't playing already) to hear the third single off THUS II: 'Surface Depth.' Until today, only heard live in acoustic performance at intimate RI venues, 'Surface Depth' is officially released and can be enjoyed in full studio performance! Follow the link below to download the new single FREE along with the previous two singles from the new album: 'Between the Lines' and 'Crime Scene'. 'Surface Depth' breaks new ground within the realm of THUS' often type-cast 'dark' and 'heavy' sound with a respectively lighter touch. Acoustic guitars and -if you listen closely- even a little mellotron accent the flavor of this tune, all without losing the grit THUS has been notable for...download here!

THUS: a brief, broad history...

Okay...here goes...

I started writing music as a teenager when my buddy Cameron coaxed me into playing guitar (since I had one) in a band. That night in June 1996, for the first time , I picked up an instrument with the serious intent of playing it...I immediately abandoned sheet music after my first purchase (cause it was time consuming), learned songs by ear and within my first month started writing tunes. The guitar became an appendage. I had the great fortune of getting mixed up with really phenomenal musicians in my formative years. The first drummer I ever jammed with, Tom Grace, is still up in my top two or three drummers. His brother Mike Grace was a great bassist with unusually disciplined chops and a really musical mind, making him a really solid, exemplary musician. Cam continued to be a musical influence on me during the years we on-and-offed a band called 'Dreams of Dawn' which consisted of Cam on vocals (whose unique writing style was already defined and matured, devoid of telltale 17-year-old cliche or malapropism) , myself on lead guitar, Jay Luciano on rhythm, Matt Heffernan on bass, 'Red Ben' Zable drumming originally, and Chad Hugenin on drums later on. For a year or two, we practiced at least once a week at Cam's house or in his garage for the love of music. (I miss the days when that's all it was!) Everyone always showed up and had a good time. No fights (for the most part lol) We played Cam's occasionally out of control pool/keg parties where I was always hoping to get laid, but knowingly deprived myself of any shot in hell since I was spending all my time in the basement with my guitar. Later I learned that guitars are in fact more fun than 90% of girls I've associated with anyway.

I spent the next several years from 1998 to about 2002 shifting from mostly lead guitarist to a singer/songwriter. I entered my first 'real' band called Cries Not Heard (later known as Mirror Studies) with Mike Grace on Bass, Pat Barone (a knowledgeable and clean guitar player), and Ryan Gaumond (up there with Tom Grace) on drums. The band had a cool sound that resonated Tool and The Deftones with a little Chili Peppers. I trained myself to sing outside of my comfortable baritone range to reach high tenor, which I still wish I actually was. When Mirror Studies split, I ventured out on my own and delved into my original sound from when I started playing. I experimented for a few more years, attending school for audio engineering and coming home to finally record my first real album. Audio engineer Toni Maserati advised me to tone down stylistically. I was originally aiming for a Beatles White Album type of disc where you would have songs like Helter Skelter placed right next to songs like Honey Pie. But I went back and wrote with a new approach, kept a couple of the tracks, and kicked the others off for future use. Over the autumn of 2006, I wrote and recorded what would become the first, self titled THUS album. It was a huge landmark for me; 12 tracks, written in mostly a single creative spurt by me, self produced and engineered. I was creatively exhausted and glad when it was done!

Over the past few years, I've assembled and reassembled the band quite a few times, searching for just the right people to bring this band to life in front of an audience. Long time friend and seasoned drummer Pete Parravanno has stood the test of time, playing in various projects with me over the last decade. He is a live THUS staple, as is Cameron Moquin who has played bass and guitar at THUS shows.

Currently, I am writing the second album which is to be released in two formats: a standard format and a gapless format which has sort of a narrative through the songs...should be done by the end of summer 2010...

THUS II: Not a rock opera.

I love how people feel the need to label to works of original art in an attempt to 'classify' them...really all that does is bring it down to the level of crap art that the piece in question is striving to rise above. Okay...just a little annoyed...let me clarify: THUS II has been called '...a rock opera.' It's not. It has also been referred to as a 'concept' album. If I may be so bold, ALL ALBUMS ARE CONCEPT ALBUMS! All albums have a theme in one way or another. Not all have a unifying narrative but do stand together, on a single tangible medium for one reason or another. Maybe the artist thought they sounded good together...the theme could be as simple and broad as that. Or maybe the songs were written in a single creative burst that seems to urge the artist to release them as a recording of that period. Still, another possibility is that an artist may want to put songs together which collectively express a narrative. That is all that THUS II is. Yes, it is a gapless album. Yes, it has been a big production. And yes, it has a certain narrative to it...but it's not The Wall or a Dream Theater album. I simply wrote songs that reflect elements of my life (just like the first album), organized them into three suites consisting of four songs each, and connected them musically so that the album flows. I feel it necessary to inform that for the mild mannered listener who would rather have an album that is more simply organized that there will be two versions of it: a gapless, and a standard version. For technical and musical reasons, it is taking me an absorbitant amount of time to get both versions to my liking without compromising the integrity of the narrative. Granted, the gapless version will be in the order of the events which occured, so as to accurately project a loose 'story'...I'm not expecting anyone to necessarily say 'wow! That was really enlightening...' The 'plot' points are there simply because I was driven to write it that way. Nobody has to get it. I only want people to enjoy the music. If they're interested in the concept, great! If not, then you've got a pile of good music that I put years of my life into. Much like Brian Wilson's SMiLE album. I don't think lots of people understand that album without an explanation of it's concept. That's why I'm writing this blog about THUS II. If you're totally against 'concept albums' and consider them preachy and long winded, then I urge you to pick up the standard version of the album. It will flow nicely like a well organized collection of songs. If you're into a slightly bigger production, with loose narrative and gapless flow (no pauses between songs), you'll want to pick up my preferred, definitive version. Just don't call it a rock opera. Ugh

THUS ranked #5 on the New England Alternative charts on Reverb Nation!

Check it out here!

At this adress, click Alternative, click Local, change location to Providence , RI 02920, US, and hit Refresh Chart. Yeah, that's THUS at #5.

VLOG # 4

A brief insight into the recording of the new THUS single, 'Crime Scene.'

VLOG # 3

VLOG # 2

VLOG# 1

JERKY'S SHOW CANCELLED

Hey people - So sorry to anybody who was planning to see THUS at Jerky's on the 22nd of May. Unfortunately, THUS does not have all of the members it needs to play out, though recording goes VERY well...can't wait til the new album is done. We'll let you know as soon as we are back in full swing...won't be to long! We haven't forgotten about you, so don't forget about us!! X's n O's!M

The February 411

Hey people.Thus sallies forth in the search for the bassist. It's brutal, but necessary. In the meant ime, I've been working on my second script to date which is in its infant stage, I've worked with a friend on some tunes this month, working on a giant surprise for my friend who's getting married out in Cali, and I'm planning a trip to Coachella this April to go see the master: Paul Mccartney. This is his first time playing a festival. Last year I took a trip to go see STP's first show back together at Rock on the Range and it was a beautiful couple hours. This year's trip to Coachella will cross off a life goal to see a Beatle. I can't wait! Anyhow, I'm working on THUS II in spurts so I'm not sure when it will be done. I'm trying to write all new material without digging into any of my personal catalog from the last 13 years. I want to save all that stuff for when THUS gets big...The first album will soon have an official release date when fans will be able to attend a BANGIN party, at which we will play the self titled first album in it's entirety, track for track. I've got an event coordinator working on it already. The actual packaged cd will be arriving soon. Just a few logistics to work out.....Keep an eye out for our summer dates around New England and come to see us! We've got the good music, now all we need is the support!!! I want to tour with the best, so help make us look like the best. Talk to you all soon.......Mike

Final weekend to receive $4 discount on THUS tees!

Just type in PATTYSHIRT09 during checkout and you'll receive your discount The offer's is valid from February 24, 2009 through March 3, 2009 at 11:59pm PST. Your order has to be placed during that time to receive the special promotional pricing offer. This offer can't be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Sorry dude. If you want to see more of our THUS stuff, click on one of the products in the sidebar below. Joy...lol

THUS-tube 2.0

Hey, THUS Tube has DOUBLED its video inventory recently with a new fanmade video for 'Homeless.' Don't skip over the first video there though - it's a song you won't find anywhere else (except on the album...have you bought a copy off me yet?) It's called 'Pyrodise'. Check it out and let us know what you think:

THUS II In - Studio

People -THUS II is coming along great - very exciting to at last continue the journey. I'm playing around with several new concepts, drawing inspiration from all things around me. I don't want to give anything away, but I can assure you when we return to the stage, we will be rocking harder, faster and tighter than ever before. Lots of new tricks line the inside of our sleeves so stay tuned -M