The Thanes – “For What Reward?” (Rogue Records RR-009) May 2023
The Thanes For What reward?: have been around for several decades and have recorded and released many singles on various garage / psych friendly independent record labels since the late eighties.
Over that time only two band members have been ever present Thane-maniacs, organist Angus McPake and leader / vocalist / lead guitarist Lenny Helsing.
Their first outing on Rogue Records, the very impressive new label from Toulouse, France is available right now from your trusted dealers and my advice is to grab it fast.
The four song EP opens with the fiery garage beat number “For What Reward?”, a scintillating wrecking ball of anger, fuzz guitar, screaming organ and other glorious sixties punk style noises.
This surely must be one of the most indignant pieces Angus McPake has brought to The Thanes table. A great track with magical production.
Next up is a cover version of the R&B killer “You’ll Never Do it Baby” made famous in the sixties by The Pretty Things, however The Thanes add a tremendous mid-song organ break and really make their thane-mark on this number.
Lenny’s vocals sound vexed and irritated as if some creep has just stolen his Q65 LPs.
Over on the B-side there’s an insidious Twilights cover in the form of their ultra great track “It’s Dark”, one of their 1966 singles on Columbia.
What a genius choice for a remake and perfect material for our Edinburgh Kings.
“Heed The Warning”, a new song written by Lenny is very much old school Thanes. It fizzes along with a medium-paced tempo, more pissed-off gruff vocals, fuzz and a wild lead guitar break.
The clattering drums, darting bass and background organ add to the malicious textures.
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