Music

Thank You Scientist is bringing its hard-to-pigeonhole sound — part prog, part lots of other things — to the Paper Tiger

BY MIKE MCMAHAN

Things you should expect from New Jersey’s Thank You Scientist: intensely arranged prog tunes, a horn section, some funk, catchy-as-hell melodies and a dose of jazzy improvisation.

Something you should not expect from the band, which plays San Antonio’s Paper Tiger on Tuesday, June 7: the members having an easy time explaining its sprawling sound.

“We’re whatever the hell we are,” guitarist Tom Monda said in a Zoom interview from his home in New Jersey.

Even when pressed for the stuck-in-an-elevator-with-the-head-of-a-major-label pitch, Monda played coy: “Think of all the things that are going to make you the least amount of money and stick them in one band.”

Bits and pieces

While Monda’s semi-joking response minimizes the magic of Thank You Scientist, he’s not completely wrong.

Let’s start with the prog element. Thank You Scientist got its fi rst break from Evil Ink Records, which released the band’s debut album in 2014. The label belongs to Coheed and Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez, a chap who knows a thing or two about prog. And, not surprisingly, Thank You Scientist has toured with Coheed and appeared on the band’s curated sea cruise.

“There’s some overlap between us, but we’re coming from diff erent places with different infl uences,” said Monda, who copped to an obsession with Frank Zappa during his formative years.

And then there are the horns. Those mean jazz, right? Well, it depends on how deep you want to go. Thank You Scientist incorporates a trumpeter, a saxophonist and a violinist — all of whom improvise during solos. Monda is a jazz cat who plays in jazz side projects. And the essence of jazz is improvisation.

Again, it’s not so easy.

“We get to scratch that improvisational itch when we play live, but the majority of our stuff is super-composed,” he explained, citing personal infl uences such as Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and John Coltrane. “I could say [Thank You Scientist] is a long-term psyops to convince normies to listen to jazz, but it’s not the case.”

And the melodies? There’s no disputing the songs have big hooks. Vocalist Salvatore Marrano sells the melody with a distinctive high-register voice, which places him fi rmly in the prog lineage.

“Good songs are good songs,” Monda explained. “It doesn’t ma er if they’re threechord songs or fi ve million-note songs.”

Sarah Sturges

Band geeks

If you’re thinking Thank You Scientist sounds like a troupe of high school marching band geeks, hey, you’re not wrong there either. That much was obvious from the time the group dropped its debut Maps of Non-Existent Places, but things were cemented with the 2019 single “FXMLDR,” the video for which featured the members playing alongside the epic Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.

So, with all these diff erent directions and the band’s studious vibe, is it a safe assumption they used their pandemic downtime to great eff ect? That one’s easy. The band released the fruit of those toils, the EP Plague Accommodations, last November.

And speaking of everyone’s favorite plague, Monda said Thank You Scientist is prepared for whatever its lasting eff ects happen to be on live music.

“Being a touring musician is like staring into the abyss,” he said. “What if we’re the last generation of bands? It’s gonna be a setup in the venue with fi ve iPads and fi ve guys Zooming in from their bedrooms.”

But for now, music fans have access to live venues, and the band is taking advantage of that. For its current tour, Thank You Scientist is paired with Strawberry Girls, a band considered progressive or math rock, even if Monda said it’s coming from a “diff erent zone.”

“More of a post-hardcore kind of vibe,” Monda explained. “When we pick bands to tour with, we ask ourselves, ‘What’s a balanced evening of music?’”

No surprise Thank You Scientist likes to mix things up. After all, that kind of topsy-turvy alchemy is the essence of the diffi cult-to-describe group. Its musical diversity has allowed it to share stages with anyone from Periphery to Devin Townsend to Consider the Source to Haken.

Monda said he’s looking forward to the San Antonio show since he’s got fond memories of previous Texas appearances.

“It’s usually my favorite stretch of shows. It’s a li le bit of everything,” he said. “The people are friendly. Last time I was there, I had my bike, and it was a great place to bike around. It’s a beautiful city.”

And any chance Monda fi nally came up with a less oblique way to describe Thank You Scientist’s sound? Not really, but maybe that’s too tall an order — even for a guy involved in creating it.

“With music it’s hard to have a perspective on what [it] even sounds like, because it sounds so diff erent to you,” he said. “If you listen to our music on records, it’s a lot diff erent than how you experience it live.” $20-$25, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com.

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music listings

Wednesday, June 1

Fayuca

Phoenix-based Fayuca puts out good vibes and have a reggae fl avor, so it’s not surprising that the band has shared the stage with 311, Damien Marley and Sublime with Rome. Not to mention, its music has made it onto FOX Sports, Univision and MTV. Fayuca has its own spin on the genre, however, which includes ample Latin spice, particularly the percussion. $12-$45, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — Mike McMahan

Three Swings and a Miss

Three Swings and a Miss sets the clock back by presenting classic songs from the Golden Age of jazz. Fronted by Hollywood-born vocalist Noelle Goforth, the band brings a cinematic vibe that would be at home on a David Lynch soundtrack. Goforth may emphasize her vocals in performances, but she’s also got chops on guitar, mandolin, banjo and ukulele. $15-$20, 7:30 p.m., Jazz, TX, 312 Pearl Parkway, Bldg. 6, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com. — MM

Thursday, June 2

Hen and the Cocks

Total Chaos

Fast, dirty, loud and D.I.Y. all sum up the vibe of long-running hardcore punk outfi t Total Chaos. Unafraid to practice the politics they sing about, the band has thrown its support behind causes including Food Not Bombs, the Los Angeles Anarchist Center and the Big Mountain Indian Reservation. $16-$18, 8 p.m., Vibes Underground, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 255-3833, facebook.com/vibesunderground. — Brianna Espinoza

Neko Case with M. Ward

Indie rocker Neko Case defi es defi nition with her eclectic mix of delicate singer-songwriter sensibilities and low-ranged contralto vocal stylings. From the dreamy alt-country “I Wish I Was the Moon” to the fuzzy guitar anthem “Man” (which features M. Ward), Case invites her listeners to challenge conventions. In an NPR interview, Case described herself as more critter or animal than woman. Her twitter bio pronouns “She/Sir” spotlight that duality. The April release Wild Creatures features essays and track commentary from David Byrne, Je Tweedy, Rosanne Cash and more. In addition to her extensive solo work, Case is a member of the Canadian indie rock band The New Pornographers. $35, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx. com. — Danny Cervantes

Friday, June 3

Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show is best described as country with all the fi xins. Beyond the expected guitars, drums and upright base, the ensemble includes banjos and harmonicas. The outfi t is also responsible for the original version of country banger “Wagon Wheel.” Sold Out, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall.com. — BE

Dylan Wheeler

Hailing from Edgewood, Texas — population 1,609 — Dylan Wheeler channels a diverse assortment of musical infl uences into his rock-tinged country sound, ranging from Jared Leto to Rob Thomas. His most popular song, “Broke Ass Kid,” has more than 14 million streams on Spotify and mirrors his move from the oil fi elds to acoustic sets in Texas icehouses and college towns. His newest album, Times Are Changing, was released in February. $15-$20, 8:30 p.m., John T. Floore’s Country Store, 14492 Old Bandera Road, (210) 695-8827, liveatfl oores.com. — DC

The Su ers

Straight outta Houston, The Su ers describe themselves as a “classic soul band,” which hits it right on the money. The band has toured with a diverse roster of acts ranging from Thievery Corporation to Galactic, and it’s popped up on The Late Show with David Letterman as well as NPR. It Starts With Love isn’t just the title of the The Su ers’ new album, which drops June 3, it’s words of wisdom the world could stand to hear right now. $24$25, 8 p.m., Carver Community Cultural Center, Jo Long Theatre, 226 N. Hackberry St., (210) 207-7211, thecarver.org. — MM

Lunar Vacation

Atlanta-based indie-rock act Lunar Vacation is touring in support of its debut LP, Inside Every Fig Is A Dead Wasp, released last fall. Fronted by Grace Repasky, the band combines elements of thoughtful pop and light psychedelia for an inviting, energetic mix. The core members met in high school and the band started in 2016. $15-$18, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — MM

Saturday, June 4

La Campana

Celebrate the arrival of la rumba salsera in San Antonio. The music kicks o with DJ Cam, followed closely by the Summit Salsa champions: CAM Dance Company out of Miami. The festivities will also include a performance by salsa choke vocalist Husory. $15-$40, 9 p.m., Rock Box, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 255-3833, therockboxsa.com. — MM

Sunday, June 5

Courtesy Photo / Hen and the Cocks

Emily Wells

Amarillo-born multi-instrumentalist Emily Wells got an early start on the one-woman-band business, releasing her own recordings on cassette at age 13. Armed with violin, analog synths and looping technologies, she blends anything from indie-rock and reggae to experimental and classical compositions. $15-$18, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — BE

Jimmie Vaughan

Bluesman Jimmie Vaughan’s career spans three distinct eras. Born in Dallas, Vaughan relocated to Austin in the ’60s and became a protégé of blues club owner Cli ord Antone. He formed The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974, but despite the band’s critical acclaim and support from artists such as Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones, commercial success eluded them until 1986, when “Tu Enu ” and “Wrap It Up” both made the Billboard Top 100. Soon, Vaughan left the group to record an album with his legendary younger brother, Stevie Ray, titled Family Style. Released one month after SRV’s tragic death, the album won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Performanc. Jimmie Vaughan then embarked on a solo career that produced another Grammy Award with 2001’s Do You Get The Blues? $35-$40, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — DC

Tuesday June 7

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall

Octogenarian trumpeter Herb Alpert’s impact on music is almost beyond measure. His career touches multiple genres including songwriting credits for Sam Cooke’s “Wonderful World,” forming

music listings

Hombres G

and leading the Tijuana Brass during the ’60s and a solo career that produced the Grammy award-winning instrumental “Rise” in 1979, which was subsequently sampled by The Notorious B.I.G. for the 1997 rap megahit “Hypnotize.” Alpert’s imprint on music was cemented when he was awarded the 2012 National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. Alpert added another Grammy in 2014 for Steppin’ Out. These days he’s collaborating with his wife Lani Hall, a legend in her own right as the original lead singer of Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66. $39.50-$75, 7:30 p.m., Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. – DC

Wednesday, June 8

Los Shadows

Ever wondered, “Has anyone ever thought of combining surf and dream pop?” Well, then, you’re in for a treat. Los Shadows’ music features a production quality associated with the dreamier side, although with a surfy sheen. The overall e ect isn’t dissimilar to a modern Roy Orbison. The band is calling this tour Down The Rabbit Hole. Now, if only they’d played this venue back when it was the White Rabbit. Ha. We kid. $15, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — MM

Friday, June 10

Hen and the Cocks

With a name like Hen and the Cocks, you know this band is looking to ru e some feathers. And the Denton outfi t’s politically charged brand of post-punk seems calculated to do just that. Loud, thudding herky-jerky music is their specialty. Just be wary of the search results if you’re looking to check it out on YouTube. $10, 6 p.m., Vibes Underground, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 255-3833, facebook.com/vibesunderground. — BE

Dos Borrachos

The self-described borrachos in this act are singer-songwriters Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager, who bring along their celebration of

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beer and the perfunctory use of Spanish for a South Texas vibe. Fowler hails from Amarillo and Creager from Corpus Christi, and their pairing comes across like a less-refi ned version of Jimmy Bu ett. Fowler’s musical evolution has taken him a long way from playing with metal band Dangerous Toys in the ’90s. Grab your amigos, expect lots of gringos and be ready to get loco out there. $30-$35, 8 p.m., John T. Floore’s Country Store, 14492 Old Bandera Road, (210) 695-8827, liveatfl oores.com. — DC

Creed Fisher

Straight out of New Braunfels, Creed Fisher has developed a following for his fl ag-waving, working-class outlaw country. Song titles such as “If You Have a Right to Burn My Flag (Then I Have a Right to Kick Your Ass),” “Don’t California My Texas” and “The Good Ol’ U.S. of A.” speak for themselves. His most recent album, 2021’s Whiskey and the Dog is described as “unapologetic, patriotic and passionate.” $15-$20, 9 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint. com. — DC

Saturday, June 11

Hombres G

Once-young Spanish pop-rockers Hombres G have grown up, playing music that incorporates bigger ideas than just puppy love. One of Spain’s most prominent pop groups in the ’80s and ‘90s, the band nearly shut down a Peruvian airport when 20,000 fans congregated on the runway to meet them. $99.50-$209.50, 7 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 8124355, theaztectheatre.com. — BE

Tuesday, June 14

Thee Sacred Souls

With a sound that ranges from ’70s prog rock to retro soul, Thee Sacred Souls create songs that are meant transport listeners. These California crooners are bound to get lovers close for the evening. $20, 8 p.m., Jaime’s Place, 1514 W. Commerce St., (210) 564-9083, jaimesplace. pub. — BE

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