David Thomas was truly unique; when he was created, they broke the mold. For more than 50 years, he redefined what a frontman could be and what a rock band should embody. His journey began in 1974 with the proto-punk band Rocket from the Tombs, which evolved into Pere Ubu in 1975, where he remained the sole constant member until his passing. In the interim, he collaborated with a group of friends under various names, including David Thomas and the Two Pale Boys, the Pedestrians, his Legs, the Wooden Birds, and Foreigners. In addition to his music career, Thomas authored several books, with The Book of Hieroglyphs being the standout.
This writer had the opportunity to know David Thomas briefly in recent years and attended what may have been his last live performance. Conversations with David were often a test; would he be inviting or combative? Fortunately, he was mostly warm and gracious. In our final encounter, despite his pain, he revealed his personality in a way that met all expectations—witty, curious, humorous, serious, kind, and extremely engaging, he took the time to share amusing anecdotes from his music career.
Identifying his best songs, especially those I cherish most, is quite a challenge, but here are ten I believe capture his essence today. Thank you, David Thomas; your presence will be deeply missed.
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Heart Of Darkness
Starting with one of their early tracks, ‘Heart of Darkness’ features driving basslines, propulsive drums, mantra-like lyrics, and an overall sense of foreboding. These elements would become signatures of their sound in the following albums and contributed to the appeal of Pere Ubu and Thomas's music. There was an exhilarating wildness that was hard to overlook, immediately grabbing your attention. While the lyrics might have been elusive, the message came across clearly.
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Lost Nation Road
One of my favorite phases in a band's evolution is when they take a musical turn. After shedding their initial influences, they start creating music that resonates more personally, rather than recycling the same formula. By the late 1980s, some critics argued that the band had lost their way. The pervasive feeling of dread was replaced with a poppier sound. Some labeled them sellouts, while others celebrated 1989's ‘Cloudland’ as the masterpiece it is. They continued along the pop path for a few more albums before changing direction once more.
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A Day at the Botanical Gardens
In between Ubu albums, Thomas released records alongside his friends. Collaborating with singer, songwriter, and guitarist Richard Thompson over a trilogy of albums seemed unlikely on paper, as their musical paths diverged. However, their styles, playing, and wordplay meshed beautifully across these albums. ‘Variations on a Theme’ stands out as the finest, and ‘A Day at the Botanical Gardens’ exemplifies this partnership. In this piece, David Thomas sounds both romantic and hauntingly desolate.
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Postcard
By the mid-90s, Ubu amped up the fuzz and distortion with ‘Story of My Life’. Musically, ‘Postcard’ presents a suffocating atmosphere. Anyone who has endured a long car ride will connect with its mood. The lyrics of ‘Postcard’ evoke a stream-of-consciousness portrayal of touring, capturing the disorientation that comes with losing track of your location, the day, and what you’ve consumed.
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Planet of Fools
It’s safe to say that ‘Planet of Fools’ may be David Thomas's greatest work. It encompasses everything: Keith Moline’s dreamy guitar, Andy Diagram’s mariachi horns, and Thomas’s accordion. Whenever David Thomas played the accordion, you anticipated a remarkable song, and his phrasing here is superb. The pauses, the stretching and truncation of words all contribute to a thrilling sense of joy. “Why should we live in tears?” he sings; indeed, why should we?
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Last of the Mohicans
Among the hidden treasures in Thomas’s extensive back catalogue is the 2008 spoken word album ‘Ghost Line Diary’. Captured live with no musical accompaniment, this record showcases David Thomas performing his prose poetry. His voice's power and clarity stand out here, transitioning from booming declarations to gentle whispers. His lyrics often leave room for interpretation, which is part of his allure. He doesn't directly reveal what he’s singing about, instead allowing listeners to decipher the meaning. Even so, the themes can become quite abstract and eerie, enhancing the enjoyment of this live recording.
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Golden Surf II
On the 2014 album ‘Carnival of Souls’, everything came together. David Thomas and the band sounded like an entirely distinct entity compared to previous years. The music ventured into some of the most experimental territory of his career. The final minute of ‘Visions of the Moon’ exemplifies avant-garde abstraction. The album constitutes an eclectic mix, with every
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David Thomas was one of a kind. When he was brought into existence, they shattered the mold. For more than 50 years, he challenged the concept of what a frontman could embody and what rock music could represent.