The Thermals are an American indie rock band based in Portland, Oregon, United States. The group was formed in 2002. With influences heavily rooted in both lofi, as well as standard rock, the band's songs were also known for their political and religious imagery.
History In 2002 former bandmates Hutch Harris and Kathy Foster came together to form the Thermals, having previously worked together, most notably in the folk duo Hutch & Kathy. Their first album, More Parts per Million, was released in 2003 by Sub Pop Records. The album was recorded and performed entirely by Hutch Harris, who played every instrument. The first live lineup was Harris with Kathy Foster on bass, Jordan Hudson (also of M. Ward and The Operacycle) on drums and Ben Barnett on guitar.
Their follow-up album, 2004's Fuckin A, was mixed by Death Cab For Cutie member Chris Walla. During that period Ben Barnett left the band and Hutch Harris took over the role as guitarist.
Their third album The Body, The Blood, The Machine was produced by Brendan Canty of Fugazi and won the group much recognition and acclaim, appearing on multiple top album lists for 2006 such as NPR, The AV Club and Pitchfork. The song "A Pillar of Salt" was also featured on EA's Skate 3 soundtrack. Jordan Hudson dropped out of the band during the recording of their third album. Kathy Foster took over percussion duties in the recording studio, which Lorin Coleman performed on tour.
The Thermals' fourth album Now We Can See, was released in 2009 on the label Kill Rock Stars and produced by John Congleton. Again, Foster worked as the percussionist on the album. Westin Glass joined the group as a drummer after the album had been completed.
The Thermals fifth album, Personal Life was released September 7, 2010.
The Thermals' cover of the song "Little Boxes" was used as the opening song for Weeds season 8 episode 8, "Five Miles From Yetzer Hara" which aired on August 19, 2012; their song "Here's Your Future" from The Body, The Blood, The Machine having been previously used in the second episode of the third season ("A Pool and his Money" August 20, 2007).
In October 2012, former guitarist Joel Burrows died from complications from a car accident.
On January 31, 2013, The Thermals signed to Saddle Creek Records and planned to release their new album Desperate Ground on April 16, 2013. In March 2013, The Thermals were named one of Fuse TV's 30 must-see artists at SXSW.
On January 6, 2016, The Thermals announced the release of their seventh studio album titled We Disappear. It was released on March 25, 2016 via Saddle Creek records.
On April 9, 2018, the band announced that they were officially disbanding after 16 years.
In December 2025, The Thermals returned as a Hutch Harris solo act with a new single "In the Night Sky".
On June 23, 2026, the band's eighth album, titled Under Crushing Rain, was announced alongside the release of a new single, "Spirit Collectors".
Band members Current lineup Hutch Harris – vocals, guitar, keyboards (2002–2018, 2025-present)
Former members Jordan Hudson – drums (2002–2005) Ben Barnett – guitar (2002–2003) Caitlin Love – drums (2006) Lorin Coleman – drums (2007–2008) Joel Burrows – guitar (2007; died 2012) Kathy Foster – bass, vocals (2002–2018) Westin Glass – drums, vocals (2008–2018)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions US US Heat US Indie More Parts per Million Released: March 4, 2003 Label: Sub Pop — — — Fuckin A Released: May 18, 2004 Label: Sub Pop — — — The Body, the Blood, the Machine Released: August 22, 2006 Label: Sub Pop — — — Now We Can See Released: April 7, 2009 Label: Kill Rock Stars 191 5 20 Personal Life Released: September 7, 2010 Label: Kill Rock Stars 180 1 30 Desperate Ground Released: April 13, 2013 Label: Saddle Creek — 1 39 We Disappear Released: March 25, 2016 Label: Saddle Creek — 11 36 Under Crushing Rain Released: September 4, 2026 Label: self released — - - "—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released
EPs Title EP details No Culture Icons Released: January 21, 2003 Label: Sub Pop A Pillar of Salt Released: June 19, 2007 Label: Sub PopDesperate Ground Demos Released: April 23, 2013 Label: Saddle Creek
Singles As lead artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album UKSales UKIndie"How We Know"2004 — — Fuckin A"A Pillar of Salt"2007 — 34 The Body, the Blood, the Machine"Returning to the Fold"2008 — —"Now We Can See" 2009 — —Now We Can See"We Were Sick" — —"Canada"2010 — —"I Don't Believe You" — —Personal Life"Never Listen To Me" 84 —"Not Like Any Other Feeling"2011 — —"Born To Kill"2013 — —Desperate Ground"Hey You"2016 — —We Disappear"My Heart Went Cold" — —"In The Night Sky"2025 — —"I Will Be Delivered"2026 — —Under Crushing Rain"Spirit Collectors"2026 — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Split singles Title Year Other artist(s) Album"Ballad of Big Nothing" / "Division Day"2006 We Are Telephone To Elliott, from Portland"When I Died" / "Cool Yourself You Are Flush Red"2009 Thao & The Get Down Stay Down rowspan="2" "Separate" / "So Hot Now" 2010 The Cribs
Live albums YearTitleLabel2007Insound Tour Support 2.0Insound2008LIVE at the Echoplex - December 7, 2007Kufala Recordings
Compilations YearTitleLabel2003The Wonder of the Underground Pressed On Plastic, Vol. 1Meow Meow2004Sub Pop: Patient ZeroSub Pop2006To Elliott: From PortlandExpunged Records2006Terminal Sales Vol. 2: This DeliciousSub Pop2007Bridging the Distance: a Portland, OR covers compilationArena Rock Recording Co.
References
External links
The Thermals at Sub Pop Records