Pete Thomas (drummer)

British musician

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
Find sources: "Pete Thomas" drummer – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Pete Thomas

Background information
Birth name| Peter Michael Thomas
Born|  (1954-08-09) 9 August 1954 (age 71)
Origin| Hillsborough, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Genres| Punk rock, new wave, ska
Occupation| Musician
Instrument| Drums
Years active| 1971–present
Labels| Stiff, Radar, F-Beat, Demon, Columbia, Warner Bros., Mercury, Island, Lost Highway, Verve, HearMusic, Rykodisc, Rhino, Hip-O

Musical artist

Peter Michael Thomas (born 9 August 1954) is an English rock drummer best known for his collaboration with singer Elvis Costello, both as a member of his band the Attractions and with Costello as a solo artist. Besides his lengthy career as a studio musician and touring drummer, he has been a member of the band Squeeze during the 1990s and a member of the supergroup Works Progress Administration during the early 2000s.

Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive."[1]

## Career

[edit]

Thomas states that his favourite album and greatest influence is Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. He first heard the album at the age of 14, and became greatly influenced by Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell. Thomas met his drumming hero as a teenager, after waiting outside Mitchell's house for multiple days.[2]

Following early work with Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers and John Stewart, Thomas was recruited as a member of Costello's backing band the Attractions in 1977. Elvis Costello & the Attractions would spend the next decade touring the world, and recording nine albums,[3] from This Year's Model (1978) to Blood and Chocolate (1986).

Although Costello split with the Attractions between 1987 and 1993, he continued to work regularly with Thomas during this period. Thomas played drums on the albums Spike (1989), Mighty Like a Rose (1991), and Kojak Variety (recorded in 1990 but not released until 1995) and was a member of Costello's 1989–1991 touring band, The Rude 5.

Costello reunited with the Attractions for the albums Brutal Youth (1994) and All This Useless Beauty (1996).

In 2001, Costello recruited Thomas, Faragher, and fellow Attraction Steve Nieve to record the album that became When I Was Cruel (2002). Elvis Costello & the Imposters, as they were subsequently named, have gone on to tour extensively, and recorded the album The Delivery Man (2004). From 2008 until 2010, Thomas was a member of the house band for Costello's television program Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...

Thomas lives in Los Angeles, with his wife Judy. Their daughter Tennessee is drummer for the band the Like. In 2003, Thomas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Elvis Costello & the Attractions.[4]

In summer 2015, Thomas hit the road as drummer for the summer tour of the folk-pop duo the Weepies.

### Studio work

[edit]

Over the years Thomas has been an in-demand session musician. His many credits include drums for Graham Parker's 1991 album Struck by Lightning and 1992 album Burning Questions.

After Costello split with the Attractions for a second time, Thomas worked for the next few years primarily as a session drummer, recording with such artists as Suzanne Vega,[3] Neil Finn, Richard Thompson, Vonda Shepard, Mikel Erentxun, Sheryl Crow,[5] Fito Páez, Joaquín Sabina, Los Lobos,[5] Wild Colonials, Matt Brown of 3 lb. Thrill, Wendy James,[3] Tasmin Archer and John Paul Jones.[5]

In 1993, Thomas joined the band Squeeze for their album Some Fantastic Place, replacing Gilson Lavis on drums, and for the tour in support of it.

In 1994, Thomas was part of a trio that included vocalist/avant garde opera diva Diamanda Galás and former Led Zeppelin bassist/multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones, who recorded the album The Sporting Life.[3]

He also played on the Elliott Smith album Figure 8 (DreamWorks, 2000), on the songs "Junk Bond Trader", "Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?" and "Can't Make a Sound".[3]

Thomas currently plays local Los Angeles gigs with bassist Davey Faragher and guitarist Val McCallum, under the band name Jackshit.

In 2006, Thomas played drums on the album Doomed to Make Choices by Jason Karaban. He also plays drums on Karaban's album Sobriety Kills (2009) and Karaban's single "Succeed 101" (2009).

In 2008, he joined a new eight-piece supergroup, Works Progress Administration, with Sean Watkins (guitar), his sister Sara Watkins (fiddle), Glen Phillips (guitar, vocals), Benmont Tench (piano), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Greg Leisz (various), and Davey Faragher (bass). The group released their debut album on 28 August 2009. Thomas played on Willy DeVille's Pistola album in 2008.

In June 2008, Thomas recorded for a Kina Grannis album. In 2009 Thomas recorded for a Fito & Fitipaldis album titled Antes de que Cuente Diez.

In 2012, Thomas was the drummer on two national tours by artist Tammy Lang:[6] the "Chelsea Madchen" tour, in which the singer parodied Nico, of Velvet Underground fame, and her outing as subversive traditional country-and-western alter ego Tammy Faye Starlite. Violinist Lisa Germano also played on both tours, as did bandleader/guitarist Peter "Petey" Andrews. The band "played some of the best blues rock music I've heard in years," wrote Huffington Post music correspondent Wendy Block.[7]

In 2013, Thomas appeared on Arctic Monkeys' album, AM, on the song "Mad Sounds".[3] The band described him as "saving the day" when their usual drummer Matt Helders broke his hand after punching a wall while drunk during recording sessions for the album.

In October 2013, he appeared on Later... with Jools Holland as drummer for Jake Bugg.

In 2014, Thomas played drums and percussion on most tracks of Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone for Lucinda Williams.

In 2015, Thomas played drums and percussion on award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Leeroy Stagger's critically acclaimed album Love Versus.

In 2019 Thomas co-founded the Los Angeles-based Old Man Dinner Band with Harvey Shield.

## Collaborations

[edit]

With Tasmin Archer

* Bloom (EMI, 1996)

With Tracy Bonham

* Down Here (Island Records, 2000)

With Jackson Browne

* Standing in the Breach (Inside Recordings, 2014)
* Downhill from Everywhere (Inside Recordings, 2021)

With Jonatha Brooke

* Steady Pull (Bad Dog Records, 2001)

With Johnny Cash

* Rockabilly Blues (Columbia Records, 1980)

With Elvis Costello

* This Year's Model (Columbia Records, 1978)
* Armed Forces (Columbia Records, 1979)
* Get Happy!! (Columbia Records, 1980)
* Trust (Columbia Records, 1981)
* Almost Blue (F-Beat Records, 1981)
* Imperial Bedroom (F-Beat Records, 1982)
* Punch the Clock (F-Beat Records, 1983)
* Goodbye Cruel World (F-Beat Records, 1984)
* King of America (F-Beat Records, 1986)
* Blood & Chocolate (Columbia Records, 1986)
* Spike (Warner Bros. Records, 1989)
* Mighty Like a Rose (Warner Bros. Records, 1991)
* Brutal Youth (Warner Bros. Records, 1994)
* Kojak Variety (Warner Bros. Records, 1995)
* All This Useless Beauty (Warner Bros. Records, 1996)
* When I Was Cruel (Mercury Records, 2002)
* North (Deutsche Grammophon, 2003)
* The Delivery Man (Lost Highway Records, 2004)
* The River in Reverse (Verve Forecast, 2006)
* Momofuku (Lost Highway Records, 2008)
* National Ransom (Universal Records, 2010)
* Look Now (Concord Records, 2018)
* The Boy Named If (Capitol Records, 2022)

With Sheryl Crow

* Sheryl Crow (A&M Records, 1996)

With Willy DeVille

* Pistola (Eagle Records, 2008)

With Kat Edmonson

* The Big Picture (Sony, 2014)

With Neil Finn

* Try Whistling This (Parlophone Records, 1998)

With Jeffrey Gaines

* Alright (Omnivore Recordings, 2018)

With John Wesley Harding

* Here Comes the Groom (Sire, 1990)
* The Name Above the Title (Sire, 1991)

With Susanna Hoffs

* Someday (Baroque Folk, 2012)

With Rickie Lee Jones

* The Evening of My Best Day (V2 Records, 2003)
* The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard (New West Records, 2007)
* Balm in Gilead (Fantasy Records, 2009)

With Juanes

* Origen (Universal Music, 2021)

With Amos Lee

* Supply and Demand (Blue Note Records, 2006)

With Nick Lowe

* Jesus of Cool (Radar Records, 1977)
* Labour of Lust (Radar Records, 1978)
* Pinker and Prouder Than Previous (Columbia Records, 1988)

With Billie Myers

* Vertigo (Universal, 2000)

With Randy Newman

* Bad Love (Dreamworks Records, 1999)
* Harps and Angels (Nonesuch Records, 2008)

With Daniel Powter

* Daniel Powter (Warner Bros. Records, 2005)

With Bonnie Raitt

* Fundamental (Capitol Records, 1998)
* Silver Lining (Capitol Records, 2002)

With Ron Sexsmith

* Whereabouts (Interscope Records, 1999)
* Time Being (V2 Records, 2006)
* Forever Endeavour (Cooking Vinyl, 2013)

With Vonda Shepard

* By 7:30 (Jacket Records, 1999)
* Chinatown (Edel Records, 2002)

With Michelle Shocked

* Mexican Standoff (Mighty Sound Records, 2005)

With Nancy Sinatra

* Nancy Sinatra (Attack Records, 2004)

With Josh Smith

* Burn to Grow (Vizztone, 2018)

With Matthew Sweet

* Altered Beast (Zoo Entertainment, 1993)

With Richard Thompson

* Mirror Blue (Capitol Records, 1994)
* You? Me? Us? (Capitol Records, 1996)

With Teddy Thompson

* Little Windows (Cooking Vinyl Records, 2016)

With Rufus Wainwright

* Poses (Dreamworks Records, 2001)
* Folkocracy (BMG, 2023)

With Dan Wilson

* Re-Covered (Ballroom Music, 2017)

With Rita Wilson

* Rita Wilson (Sing It Out Records, 2016)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Waits, Tom (20 March 2005). "It's perfect madness". The Guardian. London.
2. ^ Thomas, Pete (1 May 2014). "#008: Pete Thomas on The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Are You Experienced?" (Part 1)". My Favourite Album Podcast. Archived from the original on 27 January 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
3. ^ a b c d e f Burke, Chris (6 March 2015). "Classic albums featuring Pete Thomas". MusicRadar.com. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
4. ^ "Inductees by Year (2003)". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
5. ^ a b c "Pete Thomas: From Elvis Costello to Johnny Cash - DRUM! Magazine - Play Better Faster". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
6. ^ "Tammy Lang". IMDb.
7. ^ Block, Wendy (24 February 2012). "Channeling Nico in Silverlake". HuffPost.

## External links

[edit]

* Official Website

* v
* t
* e

Elvis Costello

* Discography

* The Imposters: Steve Nieve
* Pete Thomas
* Davey Faragher

* The Attractions: Steve Nieve
* Pete Thomas
* Bruce Thomas

Studio albums|

* My Aim Is True
* This Year's Model
* Armed Forces
* Get Happy!!
* Trust
* Almost Blue
* Imperial Bedroom
* Punch the Clock
* Goodbye Cruel World
* King of America
* Blood & Chocolate
* Spike
* Mighty Like a Rose
* The Juliet Letters
* Brutal Youth
* Kojak Variety
* All This Useless Beauty
* Painted from Memory
* When I Was Cruel
* North
* Il Sogno
* The Delivery Man
* The River in Reverse
* Momofuku
* Secret, Profane & Sugarcane
* National Ransom
* Wise Up Ghost
* Look Now
* Hey Clockface
* The Boy Named If

Live albums|

* Live at the El Mocambo
* Deep Dead Blue
* Costello & Nieve
* My Flame Burns Blue
* Live at Hollywood High

Compilations|

* Taking Liberties
* Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers
* The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions
* The Man
* Out of Our Idiot
* Girls Girls Girls
* 2½ Years
* The Very Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions 1977–86
* Extreme Honey
* Costello Album (bootleg)
* The Very Best of Elvis Costello
* Cruel Smile
* The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years
* The Songs of Bacharach & Costello

Singles|

* "Less Than Zero"
* "Alison"
* "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes"
* "Watching the Detectives"
* "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea"
* "Pump It Up"
* "This Year's Girl"
* "Radio Radio"
* "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding"
* "Oliver's Army"
* "Accidents Will Happen"
* "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down"
* "High Fidelity"
* "New Amsterdam"
* "Clubland"
* "From a Whisper to a Scream"
* "Watch Your Step"
* "A Good Year for the Roses"
* "Sweet Dreams"
* "You Little Fool"
* "Man Out of Time"
* "Pills and Soap"
* "Everyday I Write the Book"
* "The Only Flame in Town"
* "Green Shirt"
* "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"
* "I Want You"
* "Blue Chair"
* "Veronica"
* "The Other Side of Summer"
* "Sulky Girl"
* "13 Steps Lead Down"
* "London's Brilliant Parade"
* "The Other End of the Telescope"
* "You Bowed Down"
* "She"
* "45"
* "Brilliant Mistake"
* "Complicated Shadows"

Other songs|

* "Welcome to the Working Week"
* "Lipstick Vogue"
* "Senior Service"
* "Stranger in the House"
* "Girls Talk"
* "Riot Act"
* "New Lace Sleeves"
* "Beyond Belief"
* "Almost Blue"
* "Shipbuilding"
* "Indoor Fireworks"
* "Jack of All Parades"
* "Suit of Lights"
* "I Hope You're Happy Now"
* "Next Time Round"

Collaborations|

* Terror & Magnificence
* The Sweetest Punch
* For the Stars
* Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes
* The Resurrection of Rust

Scores|

* G.B.H.
* Jake's Progress
* A Face in the Crowd

Other works / related articles|

* Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink
* Live Stiffs Live
* Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears
* Bespoke Songs, Lost Dogs, Detours & Rendezvous

* v
* t
* e

Squeeze

* Chris Difford
* Glenn Tilbrook
* Stephen Large
* Simon Hanson
* Steve Smith
* Owen Biddle
* Melvin Duffy

* Jools Holland
* Gilson Lavis
* John Bentley
* Paul Carrack
* Don Snow
* Christopher Holland
* Keith Wilkinson
* Andy Metcalfe
* Matt Irving
* Pete Thomas
* Kevin Wilkinson
* Ash Soan
* Steve Nieve
* Nick Harper
* Yolanda Charles

Studio albums|

* Squeeze
* Cool for Cats
* Argybargy
* East Side Story
* Sweets from a Stranger
* Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti
* Babylon and On
* Frank
* Play
* Some Fantastic Place
* Ridiculous
* Domino
* Spot the Difference
* Cradle to the Grave
* The Knowledge

EPs|

* Packet of Three

Compilations|

* Singles – 45's and Under

Singles|

* "Take Me I'm Yours"
* "Bang Bang"
* "Goodbye Girl"
* "Cool for Cats"
* "Up the Junction"
* "Slap and Tickle"
* "Christmas Day"
* "Another Nail in My Heart"
* "If I Didn't Love You"
* "Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)"
* "Farfisa Beat"
* "Is That Love"
* "Tempted"
* "Labelled with Love"
* "Messed Around"
* "Black Coffee in Bed"
* "When the Hangover Strikes"
* "I've Returned"
* "Annie Get Your Gun"
* "Last Time Forever"
* "Hits of the Year"
* "Heartbreaking World"
* "Hourglass"
* "If It's Love"
* "Love Circles"
* "Sunday Street"
* "Satisfied"
* "Crying in My Sleep"
* "Third Rail"
* "Everything in the World"
* "Some Fantastic Place"
* "Loving You Tonight"
* "It's Over"
* "Heaven Knows"
* "Down in the Valley"

Other songs|

* "I Think I'm Go Go"
* "In Quintessence"
* "The Elephant Ride"

Related articles|

* Discography
* Band members
* Difford & Tilbrook
* Difford & Tilbrook (album)
* "Love's Crashing Waves"

* v
* t
* e

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Class of 2003

Performers|

* AC/DC
* Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Bon Scott, Cliff Williams, Angus Young, Malcolm Young
* The Clash
* Terry Chimes, Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Joe Strummer
* Elvis Costello & the Attractions
* Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve, Bruce Thomas, Pete Thomas
* The Police
* Stewart Copeland, Sting, Andy Summers
* The Righteous Brothers
* Bobby Hatfield, Bill Medley

Non-performers
(Ahmet Ertegun Award)|

* Mo Ostin

Sidemen|

* Benny Benjamin
* Floyd Cramer
* Steve Douglas

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Czech Republic
* Norway

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* 2

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template