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David Lynn ThomasAmerican singer, songwriter and musician.
Date of Birth: 14.06.1953
Country:  USA |
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Biography of David Lynn Thomas
David Lynn Thomas is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He rose to prominence as one of the iconic figures of American punk and rock music, known for his distinctive high voice. Thomas is primarily recognized as one of the founders of the short-lived proto-punk band 'Rocket From the Tombs' and a member of the group 'Pere Ubu'. In the former band, he performed under the pseudonym 'Crocus Behemoth' and served as the lead vocalist, occasionally playing guitar, trombone, and other instruments. Thomas described his range of interests as a combination of "gestalt culture, geography, and sound". Throughout his career, Thomas explored themes such as the American highway system, "trashy" tourist culture, Brian Wilson, and AM radio.
Early Life and Career
Thomas was born in Florida and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. His first project was the aforementioned 'Rocket From the Tombs', which lasted only a year. He later formed the band 'Pere Ubu' and successfully performed with them from 1975 to 1982. After leaving 'Pere Ubu', Thomas collaborated with several well-known musicians, including Richard Thompson, Philip Moxham, Lindsay Cooper, and Chris Cutler. Initially, Thomas's music closely resembled the style of 'Pere Ubu', but over time, he developed his own distinctive style. Notably, his lyrics were complex, intricate, and often explored avian themes.
Later Career
Several former members of 'Pere Ubu' joined Thomas's team, and by the release of the album 'Blame the Messenger', he had returned to his tried and tested style. From this point on, Thomas's solo career took a backseat, but did not entirely cease. In the 1980s, he led the trio 'The Accordion Club', which featured various musicians such as John Kirkpatrick, Chris Cutler, Garo Yellin, and Ira Kaplan. Thomas drew inspiration from his previous work with 'Pere Ubu'. Although 'The Accordion Club' never recorded albums, two of their songs were featured in 'Rē Records Quarterly Vol.2 No.1' and later formed the basis of Thomas's new project, 'Two Pale Boys'. This group included Keith Moliné and Andy Diagram, and their use of electronic musical instruments allowed for a wider range of sounds.
Other Endeavors
Thomas often pursued multiple projects simultaneously. He was actively involved in theater troupes and participated in various productions by Hal Willner and the West End adaptation of 'Shockheaded Peter'. Thomas also ventured into teaching at Clark University and the University of California, Los Angeles, where he delivered a lecture titled 'The Geography of Sound in the Magnetic Age'. He explored directing, as well, with his improvisational opera 'Mirror Man' being performed in theaters across Europe and North America. Throughout his career, Thomas collaborated with familiar faces such as Linda Thompson, Bob Holman, Robert Kidney, Van Dyke Parks, Frank Black, George Wendt, and Syd Straw.
Recent Years
In recent years, Thomas has primarily focused on music, both as a solo artist and as a member of 'Pere Ubu', 'Two Pale Boys', and 'Rocket From the Tombs'.
