Donnette Thayer
Donnette Thayer | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Donnette Ruth Thayer |
Born | January 1958 (age 66)[1] |
Genres | Power pop, alternative rock, dream pop |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
Donnette Ruth Thayer
She has been described by Bucketfull of Brains magazine as "the enchantress," and by radio trade journal The Hard Report as "Gaea personified," while Trouser Press Record Guide described her work as "a suave (post-paisley?) successor to California flower-pop."[3]
Biography
Early musical career
Thayer began her musical career in the late 1970s in
Game Theory
In 1986, Thayer joined power pop/college rock band Game Theory as a guitarist and vocalist. She had previously appeared as a guest performer on the band's debut album, Blaze of Glory (1982).
With Game Theory, Thayer recorded the cult classic double album Lolita Nation (1987), and toured extensively promoting the album. Thayer wrote the song "Look Away" (originally performed with her earlier band, X-Men), and is credited as co-writer of "Mammoth Gardens" and "Not Because You Can." She also played on Game Theory's subsequent album, Two Steps from the Middle Ages (1988). Following a promotional tour for the release of Two Steps, Thayer left the band in 1988.
Hex
In 1988, Thayer teamed up with
Hex (1989)
According to
Vast Halos (1990)
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [8] |
The Kilbey-Thayer duo returned to the studio to produce their second Hex recording, Vast Halos, released in 1990, with guest percussionist Jim McGrath credited for "pounding, shaking, and apple eating."[8]
Vast Halos featured the "same combination of swoony psychedelia and new wave-tinged compositions" as Hex, but was cited as "a varied and intriguing effort that overtops its predecessor with skill and style."[8] According to AllMusic's Raggett, "Thayer's singing is more direct at many points, sounding fuller in the mix and in her general delivery... when the group takes a more organic approach, as with the Indian-sounding percussion on the really lovely 'Centaur,' Thayer's singing is some of her most seductive and thrilling and the results are truly special."[8]
Solo career
In 1997, Thayer released a solo album, Chaos and Wonder, on Escapist Music.
Thayer contributed vocals and lyrics to the song "Peregrine," music by Tony Pucci and Stefan Horlitz, for the
In 2014, Thayer recorded a version of the Scott Miller song "The Red Baron," which originally appeared on Game Theory's 1984 EP Distortion.[10] Her version, released as a music video in June 2014, is expected to appear on an upcoming Scott Miller memorial tribute album.[10]
Discography
With X-Men:
- Satisfaction Guaranteed (EP, 1982)
With The Veil:
- 1000 Dreams Have Told Me (1984)
With Game Theory:
- Lolita Nation (1987)
- Two Steps from the Middle Ages (1988)
With Hex:
- Hex (1989)
- Vast Halos (1990)
- March (promotional 12" EP, 1990)
Solo releases:
- Chaos and Wonder (1997)
References
- ^ "Donnette Thayer". BBC Music. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "AQUAMARINE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ISBN 0020363613.
- ISBN 9781891241222.
- ^ "The Church". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ISBN 9781891241949.
- ^ a b Raggett, Ned. "Hex". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Raggett, Ned. "Vast Halos". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012.
- ^ a b Pucci, Tony (2009). "Songs for Jenny (ALS Charity)". Fatal Interview. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014.
- ^ a b Thayer, Donnette (June 15, 2014). The Red Baron (Release notes). YouTube.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021.
External links
- Donnette Thayer's Shelter: a fan page with interviews, photos, and videos
- Donnette Thayer at AllMusic
- Donnette Thayer discography at Discogs