Tom Thacker is looking forward to returning to Kamloops.
Gob’s 41-year-old lead singer and guitarist now lives in New York City, but he is a Langley native and his early career brought him to Kamloops several times.
He called the Kamloops punk-rock scene in the 1990s a “pretty happening scene,” one where what he called their “punk rock” or “punk pop” or “rock band” fit in well.
“The scene really grew and there would be 500 kids,” Thacker said.
“That’s amazing for punk-rock shows.”
“We weren’t used to that in Vancouver.”
He will be promoting Gob’s latest album, Apt. 13, at the Blue Grotto on Wednesday, Oct. 8, alongside bandmates Theo Goutzinakis, also singing and on guitar, drummer Gabe Mantle and bassist Steven Fairweather.
The album was released in late August and marks seven years since Gob’s last album, Muertos Vivos, which was released in 2007.
Thacker said the band wasn’t on any sort of break.
“We started making this record in 2010,” he said.
“We were just busy.”
Thacker is also the lead guitarist for another Canadian band, Sum 41.
There’s not much going on with the band lately, however, due to lead singer Derek Whibley’s health problems.
“We’re talking about music,” Thacker said. “That’s a good sign.”
It’s allowed Thacker to concentrate on Gob.
Seven years later, fans will notice a more upbeat sound with Apt. 13.
The last record came from a “dark place,” Thacker said, noting several changes from management to their record label and an influx of bass players.
“It was a strange time,” he said. “We made an angry record.”
He wanted this record to be something fun to perform on stage.
But, while the album is more energetic in nature, Thacker said it still contains sad lyrics.
“With getting older, you just end up writing stuff that has a little more world weary,” he said.
“You write songs that are, I guess, sadder.”
His is meeting up with his bandmates in Vancouver to rehearse before heading on the road to Kamloops.
The band’s 25-show tour will take them across Canada and back — and it begins in the Tournament Capital.
Kamloops’ own Floorboards will be opening for the 19-plus show, beginning at 8 p.m. at 319 Victoria St.
Ticket are $20 in advance and are available at the venue or online at ticketweb.ca.
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