Song
Sick Pup
Artist
Thieves Of Liberty
Thieves Of Liberty backstory
Sunderland born and bred, Thieves Of Liberty released debut EP Yeah, You? way back in September 2019.
Initially fronted by Crowley growler Lydia Balaban, the heavy blues rockers kicked off by kicking out covers.
But Thieves Of Liberty proved themselves as songwriters to watch on 2022’s Back Again EP — bagging an HRH Champions award the same year.
By now James Boak was behind the mic and the band’s new singer inspired a fresh approach from the hotly tipped Wearsiders.
Rooted in classic rock but happy to roll out the harder stuff, Thieves Of Liberty follow up feelgood banger Sweet As Today with the darker, doomier Sick Pup.
And it’s rumoured that heady contrast of styles — and a bold new vision for the band’s hybrid heavy blues — sits at the heart of new album Shangri-La.
In drummer Tom Bushby’s own words:
“The song is so much fun to both play and listen to.
“One thing that me and Kieran [Wilson, guitar] wanted to incorporate into one of the album tracks for other musicians was a time change.
“And we thought that Sick Pup was perfect for that.
“The contrast of stripping such a ferocious song down to just the one guitar in the bridge — before launching into an anthemic outro with a full choir singing behind James —really creates a sense of chaos that we hope stands out in listeners’ minds.”
The verdict on Sick Pup
Sick Pup’s the sound of a heavy rock beast in rude health.
Thieves Of Liberty have long been touted at the NWOCR movement’s next big thing.
But it’s taken frontman James Boak time to find his feet.
It was a couple of years ago when Rushonrock tipped the Thieves to steal the show on the Massive undercard at Newcastle Trillians.
But for whatever reason Boak and co. just weren’t on the button that night.
And yet Sick Pup’s another adrenaline-fuelled shot in the arm from one of the North East’s most explosive bands.
Rhythm section Tom Bushby and Pete Kinmond go to town on a darkly affecting blast of raw aggression.
And the axe work is intense as Kieran Wilson and Liam Lindsley pout the ‘sick’ into Sick Pup.
Thieves Of Liberty back to their best? You bet.
Sick Pup’s the dog’s bollocks.
What’s next for Thieves Of Liberty
New album Shangri-La is released next month.
The live shows come thick and fast this autumn with a slot at the Lancaster Music Festival (October 15) followed by shows in Bradford, Peterborough and Gravesend.
Tickets are selling fast for the band’s album launch event at Sunderland’s Independent on November 15.
