All-female band Thunderpussy turns up the volume in classic rock genre
When the Seattle-based rock band Thunderpussy shows up, they make a statement. For example, lead singer Molly Sides dons a tuxedo jacket with a bright white leotard — one that she has proudly bedazzled herself. The band, comprised of Sides, drummer Ruby Dunphy, guitarist Whitney Petty and bassist Leah Julius, graced the Honda stage at Austin City Limits festival. The kicker is that they only released a self-titled album, their first, just months prior. They talk about what their music is doing for the recently dormant rock genre and playing Austin City Limits.
How did you come up with the name Thunderpussy?
TP: It just came in a vision, as a dream.
People say that you’re “reviving rock n’ roll.” Do you think that’s an accurate statement for the band?
TP: I hope we’re enhancing it. It’s never died and it’s never gone anywhere. We’re just helping to [revive] it. Maybe we’re just making a little bit more noise that was turned down for too long. [The genre] goes through waves and fizzles every few years. I like [the word] “revival.”
You put out your first album this year and you’re already playing at Austin City Limits. How did that happen?
TP: Yes, finally! We’ve been playing for a long time, even though we just put the first album out. Luckily, we had the opportunity to do some touring at other festivals. We always wanted to come to the festival, let alone play it. It’s really like sucking a golf ball through a garden hose.
How’s your experience in Austin so far?
TP: There’s really great food out here in Austin. We’ve spent a good amount of time at South by Southwest. We went to Sixth Street last night. Whoa! We’re staying right there.
How do you flesh out what songs you’re going to do?
TP: This was our first album, so it took us about three years to make. It’s definitely an incubation period.
What did you want to emphasize with this first album?
TP: Our versatility. We really like acoustic music and different types of music. It’s not only a rock record but there are soft [elements]. As we grow and evolve, I think we will be able to flesh out those different avenues that we didn’t explore before.
Featured Image: Seattle-based rock band Thunderpussy discusses their experience at Austin City Limits and the meaning behind their name. Thunderpussy recorded their first album earlier this year. Kelsey Shoemaker
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