Thomas spoke to Weld before his upcoming set at BottleTree. He talked about his native Vermont, what distinguishes Birmingham, U.K. from Birmingham, Alabama, and his label mate, Birmingham’s own Lee Bains.
Weld: I feel like each record you’ve done has gotten progressively heavier. Has that been the aim? Is it intentional?
Kyle Thomas: I think that just kind of comes with better recording quality. That’s one thing to do with it. On the newest one, that was sort of what we were going for.
Weld: Is it because of SubPop that you are allowed those types of resources?
KT: It definitely helps to have some money to work with. My first record, I recorded it by myself, so it didn’t have such a big sound.
Weld: Ty Segall guests on the new record — how did you guys hook up on that track?
KT: He’s a buddy of mine. He came over for a day and we banged it out. It wasn’t really intended to go on the album; we were just [expletive] around and it came out cool so we used it.
Weld: Do you think you’ll collaborate again?
KT: I think so. He lives down the street from me and it’ll be fun to do more stuff. I like working with different people.
Weld: What led you to L.A. from Vermont?
KT: That’s kind of a mystery to me, I was just drawn here. It was very weird — I never felt the urge to leave Vermont until one day, I just kind of left. It was very strange. It was like a magnet pulled me here.
Weld: You’ve just finished a European tour and I believe that you played the other Birmingham. What is the biggest difference between Birmingham, U.K. and Birmingham, Ala.?
KT: Birmingham, Alabama is way better [Laughs]. Good versus [expletive]. I really like that club, the BottleTree. It’s an awesome spot.
Weld: If there can only be one king, who wins in a fight to the death: King Tuff, King Khan, King Krule, B.B. King or Carole King?
KT: [Laughs] As far as songwriting goes, I think Carole King would win. I would never fight King Khan because he’s a good friend of mine and he’s too lovable. I just want to hug him. B.B. King, he’s cool. He’s fine by me. King Krule? I don’t know anything about.
Weld: What’s the best thing to ever come from Vermont?
KT: Maple syrup [Laughs]. That’s pretty obvious.
Weld: You’ve developed a good relationship with one of Birmingham’s own — what is Lee Bains’s worst habit on the road?
KT: [Laughs] Just having too much damn energy. Before we met him, they were about to show up at the show and the sound guy says, “You know, I hear he chews through guitar cables when they play.” [Laughs] And we were all really scared thinking, “This guy is gonna be out of control! Hard to deal with.” But of course, they’re all sweethearts. Their energy is insane, and to go on after it, you’re just like, “Uhhhh.” He just pummels the crowd.
Weld: What is the wildest night that King Tuff and The Glory Fires have had together?
KT: We weren’t with them for too long — just a couple of shows. We did have some nice singalongs in a dirty alley somewhere.
Weld: Who are the top five American rock bands of all time?
KT: The Ramones. The Stooges.
Well, now I can only think of [expletive] bands from other places. Let me look through my records and get some ideas here.
The Wipers — they’re pretty good. Velvet Underground. And…there’s got to be a hilarious one in here somewhere.
Captain Beefheart?
King Tuff comes to BottleTree Cafe on Friday, January 23. Ex Hex and Eleven Year Old open the show. Doors open at 8 p.m., while the show is set to begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12.
