Kyle Thomas’ over the phone introduction is one you’d find very appropriate for the kind of guy who writes songs called ‘Alone and Stoned’.
In a thick, nasally drawl he offers a cheery “hey man, how’s it going?” He’s slow to respond and vague in his delivery. Speaking from his home away from home in Los Angeles, the man behind the garage-pop moniker King Tuff sounds very relaxed. Realistically, he sounds alone and stoned.
“When are you jumping on a plane to Australia?”
“Uhhhh that’s a good question! I haven’t even looked at the schedule I don’t know when I’m leaving.”
There’s a perception of garage rock and roll as slacker music: lo-Fi, messy, comprising of three chords and nearly inaudible lyrics; it’s easy to see why there’s a connection between the notion of the garage brand and laziness.
Thomas seems to fit very firmly into that mould. Last year’s breakthrough self-titled album is only his second as King Tuff in nearly a decade, while his debut, Was Dead from 2008, has been recorded and released twice in the same time. “Uhh Jazijoo, I don’t know she kind of just named herself…” – Kyle Thomas
Flying in the face of his garage tendencies is the name of his guitar. Discussing it, Thomas comes across as some kind of stoner-scribe, whom younger people would come to for blazed wisdom.
“Uhh Jazijoo, I don’t know she kind of just named herself,” he intones. “It took her a few years for her to tell me her name, I had to play her for a long time, but then she finally told me her name.”
Naming your guitar or referring to it as a ‘she’ seems the kind of showboatery reserved for stadium rockers (or Van Halen fans). Although Thomas comes across as the kind of guy who enjoys his Mötley Crüe as much as his Nuggets compilations.
He’s just as vague when it comes to his chosen moniker. “The name kind of came out of nowhere, just like the name of the guitar. I couldn’t really tell you where it came from because it was about 15 years ago now.” He pauses, “the word ‘tuff’ also means volcanic ash…” before pausing again.
Aside from King Tuff, Thomas could have been seen in the stoner metal band Witch, featuring avant rock legend J Mascis. “Witch – we might get together and do something again but King Tuff is definitely my main focus.” And focused he is. There’s plans for yet another re-release of the debut album Was Dead, while he’s started working on another batch of songs for the third King Tuff album.
“Yeah, I’m working on songs now,” he confirms simply. “Got to kind of switch gears and get out of touring mode and into writing mode. Every once in a while I’ll get a little something going on the road but it is a lot harder. I’ve got so much more on my mind like how am I gonna get to the next show and all that shit,” he sighs.
He perks up when discussing the prospect of his first ever trip to Australia. “Who knows, maybe I’ll be inspired by the Australian landscape and write some songs there.”
Unfortunately, Thomas won’t have all that much time for songwriting between shows, playing every night of his trip before jetting off to Europe for a three month tour. “I’m mainly just looking forward to breathing the same air as AC/DC.” – Kyle Thomas
“You guys are really putting me to work. But I’m sure we’ll be able to enjoy… just being there.”
Though he doesn’t sound overly optimistic about his hectic schedule, he makes sure to add, “everyone I’ve ever met from Australia has been really cool,” as a courtesy.
When asked what he’s most excited about, he lets his classic rock fan credentials shine through, “I’m mainly just looking forward to breathing the same air as AC/DC.”
Once he finally finishes his King Tuff touring, Thomas has some pretty good ideas about what he’s going to before getting back into recording music.
“I’m going to go back to Vermont and get naked. People like to swim naked there. There’s a lot of cool forest swimming holes, I’m gonna get on it.”
King Tuff is currently on tour in Australia, playing Melbourne tonight then playing dates in Brisbane and Adelaide before heading back to Melbourne for extra shows. Dates and details below.
King Tuff 2013 Australian Tour Dates
Thursday 25th April – Bermuda Float, Melbourne Australia
Friday 16th April – Primitive Room, Brisbane Australia
Saturday 27th April – Tuxedo Cat, Adelaide Australia
Sunday 28th April 28 – Tote Hotel, Melbourne Australia
