A Portland-based supergroup of sorts,
the Thermals originally featured
Kind of Like Spitting's
Ben Barnett,
the Operacycle's
Jordan Hudson, and
Hutch Harris and
Kathy Foster of the twee/folk-pop duo
Hutch and Kathy and
the All Girl Summer Fun Band. The group formed in early 2002 as a way for its members to play just for the fun of it, but their insistent melodies and punk-inspired urgency quickly won them a local following.
Death Cab for Cutie's
Ben Gibbard became one of
the Thermals' first fans and got the group in touch with Sub Pop, which signed them within four months of the band's formation.
The Thermals then released a single in January of 2003, followed by their full-length
More Parts Per Million later that spring.
Fuckin A,
the Thermals' sophomore effort, marked their first release for Sub Pop in mid-2004. In the midst of recording
the Thermals' third full-length, however, founding drummer
Jordan Hudson left the group.
Foster and
Harris resumed recording and played all the instruments themselves, with the resulting
The Body, the Blood, the Machine being released in 2006. Drummer
Caitlin Love joined
the Thermals just in time for a European tour that spring.
Lorin Coleman, of the Portland indie rock act
Virga, was added on drums in late summer, and auxiliary guitarist
Joel Burrows briefly joined as well. The quartet dissolved in 2008, however, once again leaving
Foster and
Harris as the band's only members. Following their departure from Sub Pop's roster,
the Thermals signed with Kill Rockstars and released
Now We Can See in April 2009. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide