Whoa Thunder

WHOA THUNDER began as a kitchen table laptop solo project for Brian McClelland (Middle Class Fashion, Maxtone Four, Tight Pants Syndrome) in 2008, as a way to capture his unique, high energy take on synth-soaked New Wave boy/girl guitar pop--inspired equally by Le Tigre, Sparks, Beck, New Pornographers, and the Knack--without compromise, resulting in the 16-track debut, You're Under Attack. After a limited run, homemade 2013 release garnered rave reviews--Eleven Magazine called it "Possibly the most rewarding pop album of last year. Yes, really."--McClelland was inspired to put a live band together. After a year of ever-changing, transitional lineups--including guests from Midwest heavy-hitters Kentucky Knife Fight and Bruiser Queen--McClelland put together his dream team in 2015: drummer Mic Boshans (Nee, Humdrum, Union Electric, The Floating City), bassist Syrhea Conoway (Syna So Pro, Pat Sajak Assassins, Humdrum), keyboardist Joe Taylor (Kid Scientist), and guitarist Dan Meehan (Nee, Humdrum, The Floating City). This new lineup began touring regionally in 2015--Sharing stages with mr. Gnome and Dengue Fever along the way--and, most importantly to McClelland, began collaborating on new music, including the new lineup's debut, a vinyl flexi single of "Hop To It," released on Blip Blap Records/IBC Shadows on June 10, 2016. The band was recently voted BEST INDIE-POP BAND by the RFT MUSIC AWARDS 2016. Preview/Download the Hop To It single and the debut album, YOU'RE UNDER ATTACK, at http://whoathunder.bandcamp.com ELEVEN MAGAZINE: "Possibly the most rewarding pop album of last year. Yes, really." "Some people just have it, and some have a lot of it. BRIAN MCCLELLAND is definitely one of those with a lot of it. The Tight Pants Syndrome/Middle Class Fashion bassist and vocalist has yet another poptastic project, WHOA THUNDER, that showcases an abundance of strengths. Their debut album, YOU'RE UNDER ATTACK, hides an extra hook behind every catchy chorus on songs like "Hotwire!,"and "No Girls Laugh at Me Now (HA HA I Laugh at Them)," and sweet, delicate, but rock solid harmonies from KIMBERLY FAULHABER and SARAH GREMILLION tucked into beds of synth that will charm fans of the Rentals' Seven More Minutes. McClelland's vocals are reminiscent of New Pornographers' A.C. Newman with effortless accuracy, confidence and tons of character. You're Under Attack feels like a series of right answers, each sound leading to the next in a way that only pulls the listener deeper into their world. It's seriously great stuff." "...A bubbling laboratory of sticky melodies and incandescent instrumentation." RIVERFRONT TIMES: RFT MUSIC AWARDS: BEST INDIE ROCK BAND nominee 2015 "Whoa Thunder's first album, You're Under Attack, has staying power." NEXT: Feb 8 @ Off Broadway w/ Curtis J & Brotherfather