From DIY Local Venues to Mainstage Performers: The Rise of Thrower
Houston’s rock and alternative band, Thrower celebrates their second anniversary of their debut album, “Blink” and gives us an insight on touring, inspirations, and their songwriting in our exclusive interview.
Photograph by Matthew Collins
Houston based alternative rock band, Thrower garners their sound through different sub genres including grunge and metal. Formed in 2023, the band’s rise to immediate success comes from their lively and atomic stadium-like production. The red string was planted in the year of 2020 as talks for creating a band filtered through their conversations as a means to promote creativity and continuation of their musical journey. However, as time went on and life became filled with outside responsibilities, the band stagnated for a moment, taking a rest until it became resurrected once again.
Thrower is now throwing punches with bloody knuckles and demanding for their voices to be heard. With their developing sound and constant grinding on their artistry, they have established their own sense of identity. The current full line up now consists of Isaac Thrower (Vocals), Cole Stratulate (Guitar), August Galliano (Guitar), Paul Duty (Bass) and Rocky Conant (Drums). Thrower later released their debut album, Blink in 2024 featuring 12 brand new tracks. Their blend of influences from 70s bluesy rock and roll of Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses, Greta Van Fleet and into the more industrial and progressive alternative rock bands, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden consumes the energetic alignment of the band extorting their impeccable dynamic range. The discography of Thrower is emintley paired with the essence and cult like following of the film, “Almost Famous” famously directed by Rolling Stone journalist, Cameron Crowe.
Thrower’s most recently released single, ‘Happy When We’re Bleeding’ featuring Escape The Fate is an explosive track that ignites into a channeled fury of rage. The track immediately builds anticipation like a clock ticking until its last final stop before it explodes. The tempo quickly picks up its pace as the chorus comes crashing down as the band comes alive. Instantly, you are taken into a wild captivity that drowns out any existence of life that mesmerizes you. Within the heavy and forceful chorus, “We’re captivated by the chaos. Madness never takes the day off. Gluttons for the punishment. The peace and love, it came and went. Contentment never seemed so boring. Don’t bring the rain unless it’s pouring. You can save the stitches we don’t need ‘em. We’re only happy when we’re bleeding.” there is no room for a split second break as it is like a bomb being set off into oblivion. The earth shattering drums from Conant shakes up the track with an infinite rumble that doesn't stop. In the middle of the track, a key change disrupts as guitars turn into a feral and screeching riff that makes your heart race as a high note held scream overtakes the sound. The collision of the vocals from Thrower and Mabbitt of Escape The Fate accentuates the breaking of a sound barrier. With the lyrical content showcasing being in love with the misery and pain as it provides an adrenaline rush, ‘Happy When We’re Bleeding’ reflects just that. It is a track that stands alone on its own without needing any validation. It is a stamp on alternative hard rock and a true testament that stands face to face filled with adversity, destruction, and chaos.
Thrower’s debut album, “Blink” is a representation of the band’s alchemic and extreme stance on the pressures of society and battling your own fears to become a higher version of one’s self that is bravely courageous enough to pick their own fights. It is a duel to fight for change and rewire your brain to block out any pessimistic thoughts and choose yourself despite any past hurts, heartbreak or intense trauma. The thrashy and aggressive forward rock songs like , ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’, ‘Reach’, ‘Blink Dog’, and ‘Dusted’ all possess a significant and dominating delivery in every aspect of its agency with impressive techniques. It breaks down the walls of the premonition of what a rock band can devoutly and truly achieve with sheer audacity to generate the next forthcoming face of alternative hard rock. In contrast, the more acoustic power rock ballads such as, ‘Never Tear Us Apart’, ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’, ‘Light The Way’, and ‘All I Know’ demonstrates the versatility of Thrower’s vocals and his passionate shrilling vocals that express his feelings with a soulful and deeply powerful tone that is difficult not to get lost into. The songwriting builds the scenery as the instrumentation carries on the storyline in tangent with the vocals directing the audience on where to focus as the narrator.
A highlight of the album and one of my personal favorite tracks, ‘Desert Sun’ is a country-esque gothic rock anthem that builds momentum quickly with its layered and reverbed guitar lines that resonate like wind flowing against the barren red sands of an obsolete terrain. The subsequent power of the kick drums retaliates the rhythm section into a breezy yet blasted cyclone that swirls around you. The lower dark and grungey registered gritty vocals within the chorus line, “You’re like the desert sun burning down on me like a heat mirage daydream drowning me down slowly” is insanely captivating as it paints a picture of a scarlet and blazing inferno skies overlooking a blank and rocky canvas that breathes life and color onto the surface. The track, ‘Desert Sun’ reminds me much of the sonic elements produced in the song, ‘Have U Found What Ur Looking For’ by Ashton Irwin off of his debut album, “Superbloom” opting for another worldly and expansive effect that collides like a meteor leaving an everlasting crater.
Thrower’s record, “Blink” as a collective, holds a strong essence of vitality that breathes life into a new aspect within the alternative rock genre. The band has an extremely solid foundation that does not require any additional elements as their presence and cumulative sound cohesion that stands against their own. Thrower consistently builds and breaks down their own castles to reconstruct any past mistakes and exponentially continue on to perfect their design into the perfect model that stands the test of time. One of the most remarkable things about the band is their highly apparent and loudly presented “not giving a damn” attitude. With Thrower, there's no need to question their authority or ability to implement their essential true qualities. This mindset propels the band into becoming an instant rock classic who are not afraid to show their skills and talents as they get ready to take over stages all across the world with their electric ferocity. That is who they are authentically and it’s rare to see such daring musicians who practice what they preach and take immediate action without missing a beat. Thrower’s distinct hard rock sound and dangerous edge will soon dominate the music scene and ignite their ferocious fire of expertise onto the masses.
Blink (2024) Tracklist - 1. Reach / 2. Dusted / 3. All I Know / 4.Don't Fear The Reaper / 5. Blink Dog / 6. Eye For An Eye / 7. Desert Sun / 8. Never Tear Us Apart / 9. Down On You / 10. Undertow / 11. Light the Way / 12. Overgrown
With The Band Magazine had the chance to interview Thrower for an exclusive all access feature. We are incredibly thankful to collaborate with them for this amazing opportunity. You can read the full interview below!
WTBM: Thrower recently released 'Happy When We’re Bleeding' featuring Escape The Fate. How did that collaboration come together, and what did they bring to the track that surprised you?
Thrower: “You know it really all came together pretty fast , and one thing that really surprised us was the super cool screams that Craig added and it just went so well with the track.”
WTBM: Thrower's debut album, "Blink" was released nearly 2 years ago. How much have you seen yourself grow and progress within the band and finding your own style?
Thrower: “We’ve grown a lot since our first Album came out, there’s tons of songs that we have written that we can’t wait to release that are closer to home in terms of what we want the sound to be. After going on the road and interacting with some of the industry’s big names we’ve really learned a lot about what it takes to go to the next level. We are stoked to eventually release more music and continue our journey through this interesting time that we live in.”
WTBM:Songwriting is a very helpful and therapeutic outlet from many artists. When writing lyrics about heavy concepts and real world issues, how does that translate into the music, aesthetic and imagery of your music videos?
Thrower: “As songwriters, we have to write what we feel to help process what we go through. Just like any person it can be hard to express certain emotions, thoughts and feelings, and that’s where songs can help those feelings be heard. Hearing the sounds and stories of others going through what you’re going through helps bear the weight of the world. For example “Happy When We’re Bleeding” , was inspired by today’s culture/social media and how desensitized a lot of us are because of the terrible things we witness online.”
WTBM:Thrower has played numerous shows across Texas. From small DIY venues and clubs to notable concert venues such as Warehouse Live in Midtown. What is the biggest difference you have experienced amongst playing within those environments and its crowd?
Thrower: “We’ve been in venues that can hold 50 people to 3000, and no matter where we play it’s a gift to get to in the first place. Warehouse is definitely one of our favorite places to play because the workers there are super chill, it’s a giant stage and we always have fun. We’ve also been on tour playing all across the US with Cold, Drowning Pool, and Saliva and sometimes it can be tough especially as an opening act for a much bigger band and their fans. Cause you gotta show and prove to those fans your worth being on a stage with them. It’s almost therapeutic in a way though because you gotta believe in yourself and show people what you’re all about and it’s really cool to get to do that.”
WTBM:The Houston punk and alternative scene is exponentially growing. Who are some other local bands you think people should be paying attention to?
Thrower: “There are a lot of cool bands and I wish we knew them all. There really is a strong culture of support, and passion and it’s just awesome. Some bands that we know and people should check out (be prepared it’s a long list lol) are definitely Junkyard Cat, Psychedelic Maggot Engine, Flipstick, Noisegate, The Shroons, Lavi Bly, Envy Room, Drown, Elevator Days, Bipolar Joyride, Garbage Girlfriend, In the attic, Dead Idol, Coaxial Wake, Kenton Place, Jaid, Deadly Blooms, Zegovia, Whitehaven, Silvercel, Midnight Beverage, Dres_, and there are more we are forgetting but this is a good chunk haha.”
WTBM: Thrower has such a captivating stage presence for a band that just started a few years back. What gets you into the mindset to lock in and perform a show? Any crazy rituals for channeling your inner rockstar?
Thrower: “One thing we usually do and we learned this from Steel Panther, we all gather up almost like a football team before we head on stage and we leave whatever it is out right there with something positive, whether it’s something that’s bothering us, something tragic, something cool, and go to the stage with a clear mind and ready to give it all we got. We also do some karate and jumping jack moves.”
WTBM:Many artists start off their musical career by being inspired by someone or something during their childhood years. When was the exact moment that you decided to pick up an instrument or learn how to perfect your vocals?
Thrower: “For most of us , we were originally inspired by the classics like Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses, and I think each of us were driven to pick up an instrument because of a connection to music. For me (Isaac) I was inspired by Chris Cornell’s haunting vocals, lyrics, and songs from soundgarden and audioslave, along with Incubus, INXS, and also pretty much every 90s Grunge band. It helped me express what I was feeling from early teenage years. I practiced singing almost everyday after school singing along to my favorites from Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, The Who, Led Zepplin, and Stevie Wonder.”
WTBM:What has been the most challenging aspect and the most rewarding thing of being in an upcoming rock and alternative band?
Thrower: “The most challenging thing is definitely the challenge to keep going even when things get tough. Whether it be sickness, stagnation, or personal issues amidst the band or life in general. But we are lucky that we have people around us who help us keep going. One of the most rewarding things has got to be all the places we’ve experienced and the people we’ve met all because of music. We’ve met really cool people at shows who have shared their love for music with us, other big bands and artists, and just getting to see the world a bit has been really cool.”
WTBM:All bands know that no one concert is the same every night, as many things can go array. What has been the most memorable and chaotic thing that has ever happened at one of your shows?
Thrower: “…So we have a cover of the song ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ which famously has a cowbell in the original, as made popular by the famous SNL skit “More Cowbell”. Well ours doesn’t have a cowbell lol, so we always get comments about it and it’s funny. At our last show with the band Cold, they all got on stage with cowbells and played cowbells while we played ‘Don't Fear The Reaper’. It was one of the best moments we’ve had on stage, there were probably 10 extra people on stage with cowbells and it was super funny. The whole Cold band and family was really nice to us and we appreciate them a lot.”
WTBM: What can fans expect to hear from upcoming new songs from Thrower? What themes or concepts will these future tracks carry?
Thrower: “We’ve got some cool songs coming we are stoked to release, some of them are more raw, some of them just straight up anthemic. Let’s just say bullets might start flying a little, things might start burning, and things might start falling.”