Stu Thomas
Stu David Thomas is an Australian musician, born 1967 in Canberra, raised in Perth, and currently musically active in Melbourne.
Stu Thomas | |
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Birth name | Stuart David Thomas |
Born | Canberra, Australia |
Genres | Rock, pop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, songwriter, soundtrack composer, producer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, visual artist |
Instruments | Bass guitar, baritone guitar, guitar, trumpet, vocals |
Years active | 1979–current |
Labels | Bar Hum Bug, BANG!, audrey |
Associated acts | The Stu Thomas Paradox, Stu & The Celestials, The Brass Bed, Dave Graney, Kim Salmon, Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes, Kim Salmon and the Surrealists, Kim Salmon and The Business, dave graney and the mistLY, The Lurid Yellow Mist, The Scientists, SALMON, The Royal Dave Graney Show, The Brass Bed, Organism, Bloodline, Crumpet, Billy Miller, Luxedo, Jane Dust, Barb Waters, Dan Brodie, The Dames, Julitha Ryan, Penny Ikinger, Mick Harvey, Mikelangelo, Go Go Sapien, The Spoils, Hope Addicts, Martin Cilia, Delaney Davidson, Rebecca Barnard. |
Website | thestuthomasparadox |
He is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, singer, composer, arranger, producer, bass player, guitarist and trumpet player, and holds a Diploma of Music. Thomas has played in many countries including: Australia, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia–Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovakia, Portugal, England, Ireland, Scotland, USA, New Zealand, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and appeared on over 75 recorded releases.
Thomas performs solo or with his band as The Stu Thomas Paradox,[1] performing mainly in Australia, with appearances in Europe and New Zealand. He has released two solo albums to date: "Devil and Daughter"[2] (2004 Audrey Records,[3] Australia, and 2007 Bang! Records, Spain) and "Escape From Algebra"[4] (2010 Bar Hum Bug Records, Australia), and one EP "Resonance" (2001 Audrey Records). In 2014, he self-released the "Stu plays Lee" EP,[5] following successful shows in Melbourne playing the music of Lee Hazlewood. An abridged version, renamed "Stu Thomas plays Lee Hazlewood", was released in 2015 as a limited edition 8-inch clear vinyl EP on Stu's own Bar Hum Bug label, with more performances in Darwin and Adelaide. 2020 saw the Stu Thomas Paradox album "Counting To Infinity" released on Off The Hip Records.
The Stu Thomas Paradox (aka STP) is: Stu Thomas on lead vocals, guitar, Billy Miller on guitar, backing vocals, Eduardo Miller on bass and backing vocals, Phil Collings on drums. On occasion, Clare Moore has substituted on drums / keyboards and Mal Beveridge on bass. Drummer John Annas played a gig with the band in 2005, their debut. In 2004, Stu played a solo mini-tour of Berlin, which included German musician Lemmi Schwarz on clarinet and Australian ex-pat Chris Hughes on drums.
!n 2020, during Covid-19 lockdown, Stu performed a series of live-streamed shows from his home on the Stage It platform. The first being an selection of Iggy Pop songs, the 2nd was Stu's entire "Devil and Daughter" album, and the 3rd was the whole of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World".
Thomas is known for his work as a bass player. He has played in a large variety of bands since 1979, and came to wider global attention in late 1995 when he joined Kim Salmon & The Surrealists. He also played with Kim Salmon in Kim Salmon and The Business, and SALMON, as well as in Kim Salmon's solo band, and also Kim Salmon Plays The Scientists. With Kim Salmon, Thomas has toured Australia many times. Together they played three tours of Europe: in 1996 with Kim Salmon and the Surrealists with drummer Greg Bainbridge, as well as USA in 1996. In 2004 STu played with Kim Salmon Plays The Scientists as a trio with drummer Leanne Cowie and in 2006 as Kim Salmon and the Surrealists (with drummer Phil Collings) at Azkena Rock Festival. Thomas appears on several Kim Salmon releases (see Discography).
He found further acclaim when he joined The Royal Dave Graney Show in 2004, who metamorphosized into Dave Graney & The Lurid Yellow Mist,[6] and later re-metamorphosized into Dave Graney & The mistLY. Thomas is also part of Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes, on bass duties for them since their re-formation in 2015. Thomas has toured Europe twice with Dave Graney & The MistLY, supporting Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in 2008 on the Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! tour, and then a headline tour in 2016, with Scottish guitarist Malcolm Ross. Thomas appears on several Dave Graney releases (see Discography).
In 1997, Thomas founded The Brass Bed, a trash-noir band consisting of brass and rhythm sections, with a notable lack of guitar. The lineup was flexible and in its largest form included two trombones, trumpet, clarinet, bass and drums. In its smallest form: bass and drums. Other forms included harmonica, sax, cello and violin players. They released the "low key" EP in 1997, the "No Single" 7 inch white vinyl in 1998, "Resonances: Live Film Music" CD in 2000, "Save Your Breath" CD 2001, and "The Super8 Video LP" DVD in 2007. The Brass Bed played exclusively in Melbourne from 1997 - 2007, apart from one performance as a duo in Auckland, New Zealand in 2001 as a duo (Stu Thomas and Delaney Davidson). They began doing rock gigs, but ended up playing live soundtracks to films. The initial lineup was: Stu Thomas, Delaney Davidson, Tatiana Pajo and Brian May. Subsequent members were Rhys Braddock, Cam McAllister, Tim Hilton, Lemmi Schwarz, Sonke Rickertson, Adam Nash, Mike Noga, Sherab Holley and Phil Collings.
He has been involved musically with many artists of note including: Dave Graney, Clare Moore, Kim Salmon, Mick Harvey, Rebecca Barnard, Martin Cilia, Dan Brodie, The Spoils, Spencer P. Jones, and Delaney Davidson, among others.
In 2019, Thomas appeared on the soundtrack to French film Qui m'aime me suive! (aka Just The Three Of Us). He sang with Mick Harvey and Xanthe Waite, music by Fred Avril.
Thomas is a proponent of the Fender P-Bass, and the Burns London baritone guitar, and is also in demand for vocal, trumpet and flugelhorn sessions.
Thomas is also a visual artist having done much graphic art work, and is a painter. His first solo exhibition was in 2017 at Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Discography
2020
Counting To Infinity album by THE STU THOMAS PARADOX (Off The Hip)
2019
The Dog Beneath the Skin album by CHRISTOPHER MARSHALL (Laneway)
One Million Years DC album by DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE (Cockaigne)
Nashville Wife album by 2INCH TAPE (Independent)
Qui m'aime me suive! (aka Just The Three Of Us) (Original film soundtrack) by FRED AVRIL
ZIPPA DEEDOO WHAT IS/WAS THAT/THIS? album by DAVE GRANEY & THE MISTLY (Cockaigne)
Harmony & Destiny album by MALCOLM HILL & LIVE FLESH (Independent)
Baby, I Wish Been A Better Pop Star single by DAVE GRANEY & THE MISTLY (Cockaigne)
Ultrakeef single by DAVE GRANEY & THE MISTLY (Cockaigne)
2018
Cosmic Love single by MALCOLM HILL & LIVE FLESH (Independent)
I Was Watching The Whole Time album by EDUARDO MILLER (Independent)
Song Of Life single by DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE (Cockaigne)
2017
Let's Get Tight album by DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE (Cockaigne)
The Winter's Journey album by JULITHA RYAN (Independent)
2016
Matey, From On High single by DAVE GRANEY (Cockaigne)
Drifting Donna Reed single by DAVE GRANEY (Cockaigne)
2015
The Roots of Kim Salmon live album (online only) by KIM SALMON (Independent)
Stu Thomas plays Lee Hazlewood Vinyl EP by STU THOMAS (Bar Hum Bug)
Australia album by BILLY MILLER (Independent)
Play mistLY For Me live album (online only) by DAVE GRANEY & The mistLY (Cockaigne)
2014
City Of Dreams album by MIKELANGELO (Independent)
Stu plays Lee CDEP by STU THOMAS (Bar Hum Bug)
The Man Is Back: A Tribute Johnny Cash by VARIOUS ARTISTS (Beast Records)
2012
You've Been in My Mind album by DAVE GRANEY & The mistLY (Cockaigne/Fuse)
Space Odyssey – Part I album by JANE DUST (Independent)[7]
Hope Addicts album by HOPE ADDICTS (Independent)
2011
Rock N Roll Is Where I Hide album by DAVE GRANEY & THE LURID YELLOW MIST (Liberation)
2010
Put Your Hands On Me album by LITTLE JOHN (Independent)
Penelope album by PENNY IKINGER (Citadel)
Predate single by KIM SALMON & THE SURREALISTS (Low Transit Industries/BANG!)
Jane Dust album by JANE DUST (Vitamin)
Bird's Journey single by JANE DUST (Vitamin)
Grand Unifying Theory by KIM SALMON & THE SURREALISTS (Low Transit Industries/BANG!)
Escape From Algebra by THE STU THOMAS PARADOX (Bar Hum Bug)
2009
Shake Your Derrière / Lost In Space single by THE STU THOMAS PARADOX (Bar Hum Bug)
Live In Hell live album (online only) by DAVE GRANEY & THE LURID YELLOW MIST
Knock Yourself Out album by DAVE GRANEY (Cockaigne/Fuse)
2008
We Wuz Curious album by THE LURID YELLOW MIST feat. DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE (Illustrious Artists/Fuse)
2007
Devil and Daughter (Extra track) album by STU THOMAS (BANG! Records re-issue on digipack & 12" vinyl)[8]
The Super8 Video LP DVD by THE BRASS BED (2007, Bar Hum Bug)
2006
Eat More Baby album by SWEDISH MAGAZINES (Stealth Blonde)
Keepin' It Unreal album by DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE feat. STU D. (Cockaigne/Reverberation)
2005
Hashish & Liquor album by DAVE GRANEY & CLARE MOORE (Cockaigne/Reverberation)
These Beautiful Ghosts album by MARK GARDENER (Sonic Cathedral Records)
Swampbuck Sessions Live (PBSFM)
2004
Free Kicks album by EVEN (El Reno)
Devil and Daughter album by STU THOMAS (Audrey)
2003
In The Valley album by WAYFARING STRANGERS (Independent)
Rosa Duet album by BARB WATERS (Laughing Outlaw)
Resonance EP by STU THOMAS (Audrey)
2002
Take A Bullet single by DAN BRODIE & THE BROKEN ARROWS (EMI)
Jesus Try and Save Me single by DAN BRODIE & THE BROKEN ARROWS (EMI)
2001
You Make Me Wanna Kill single by DAN BRODIE & THE BROKEN ARROWS (EMI)
Empty Arms, Broken Heart album by DAN BRODIE & THE BROKEN ARROWS (EMI)
Hurtsville by album THE SPOILS (Corduroy)
Save Your Breath album by THE BRASS BED (Corduroy)
Triple J: Live And Unleashed album (ABC Music)
2000
Mr Accident SOUNDTRACK album (Serious Entertainment/Festival)
Combination / Love Transfusion split single Picture Disc by THE BRASS BED & LUXEDO (Independent)
I'll Be Around singles by KIM SALMON & THE BUSINESS (Half A Cow)
Disconnected single by KIM SALMON & THE BUSINESS (Half A Cow)
Record album by KIM SALMON & THE BUSINESS (Half A Cow)
Comatosa single by LUXEDO (Corduroy)
City Lights and Road kill album by LUXEDO (Corduroy)
You Really Suck EP by LUXEDO (Corduroy)
Resonances: Live Film Music album by THE BRASS BED (Bar Hum Bug)
1999
Saving Me From Me single by KIM SALMON & THE BUSINESS (Half A Cow)
1998
To Hal & Bacharach – Various Artists album. Australian tribute to Burt Bacharach & Hal David (WEA)
Strange Waters, Small Mercies album by CHRISTOPHER MARSHALL (Mushroom)
You're Such A Freak EP by KIM SALMON & THE SURREALISTS (Half A Cow)
The NO Single single by THE BRASS BED (Bar Hum Bug)
1997
Ya Gotta Let Me Do My Thing album by KIM SALMON & THE SURREALISTS (Half A Cow)
I Won't Tell / World Of Love single by KIM SALMON & THE SURREALISTS (Guilt Free)
Fix Me Up single by KIM SALMON & THE SURREALISTS (Guilt Free)
low key EP by THE BRASS BED (Blah Blah Blah)
The Gold Record EP by THE BRASS BED (Bar Hum Bug)
1991
Nu Music Sampler featuring : Seven Year Itch single by ORGANISM (Studio 52)
Organism EP cassette by ORGANISM (Independent)
References
- "Merch from The Stu Thomas Paradox". Thestuthomasparadox.bandcamp.com.
- "Stu Thomas - Devil And Daughter". Discogs.com.
- "Audrey Records". Discogs.com.
- "Escape From Algebra, by The Stu Thomas Paradox". Thestuthomasparadox.bandcamp.com.
- "The random blog. | All things are discussed on this blog". Thedavegraneyshow.com.
- "Space Odyssey - Part I, by Jane Dust". Janedust.bandcamp.com.
- "Bang Records". Bang-records.net. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
External links
- "stuBed67". YouTube.
- review of the stu thomas album "escape from algebra" from the online site MESS AND NOISE
- article from BEAT magazine about Stu Thomas
- article (including discography) from OUTSIDERS WINDOW magazine in regard to STU THOMAS
- discography for Kim Salmon and the Surrealists (including albums featuring Stu Thomas)
- Dutch site with story and discography for kim salmon and the surrealists
- article – review of Jane dust and the giant hoopoes 2012 album