Getting To Know: Thwack

In the wake of late capitalist turmoil, London-based orchestral punk band THWACK! emerged in 2022, bursting onto the scene with a unique fusion of camp, political commentary, and infectious groove. Their high-octane performances combine unabashed queer theatricality with raw grit, captivating audiences and challenging societal norms.

With their audacious energy and thought-provoking lyrics, THWACK! asks a bold question: have you ever destroyed yourself for others’ entertainment? As they prepare to take their electrifying sound to new heights, we dive into the world of THWACK! to explore their artistic vision and the messages behind their music.

Howl - Florence and the Machine 

Charlie: There’s so much gothic theatricality packed into Florence + The Machine’s first album. This song is one of its more Halloween-tinged numbers and was definitely a big influence on the style of Maggie. Howl is full of Welch’s expert drama and excess – right up to the line of being camp but because it’s all delivered and produced with such an earnest intensity the final product feels huge and dark and epic. Maggie is obviously a silly song but I think silliness is at its best when it’s taken very seriously. 

Chlo: Our MO is 100% committing to the bit.

Charlie: It also helps that this song has a really killer violin line that builds it to a wild banshee of a final chorus. We are always excited by a good string line.

Monkberry Moon Delight - Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Charlie: Before Alice Cooper and even Arthur Brown, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was turning his live shows into wild theatrical events with costumes and props. We aren’t quite at the budget level where we can begin shows by all emerging from coffins, but we have started to introduce a large puppet of demon Maggie Thatcher to some of our live gigs so I like to think we are flying the flag for Screamin’ Jay. His campy props and antics are a big influence and this song in particular (originally by Paulina McCartney but perfected in this cover) is a real beacon to me showing just how deep into your freak you can go to strike gold.

Runs in the Family - Amanda Palmer

Charlie: Amanda Palmer started on the cabaret circuit, which is also where this song started its life. In the drag bars and little theatre cabaret shows you have to catch people’s attention, entertain them and tell some kind of story across a 4-6 minute period, and it was that logic that built the comedy and satire of the song. ‘Runs in the Family’ is also a great track for lyrical intricacy and complicated rhyme schemes which definitely inspire my writing - I like lyrics that reward multiple listens with little easter eggs and references. You get a free badge if you find the Percy Shelley quote! Palmer and the Dresden Dolls are also a great combination of punk and theatre which was very much in my head when I was looking to form a band in the first place.

 Sugar Daddy – Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Charlie: Hedwig, the riotous punk drag musical, is deep in the DNA of THWACK! All its tracks are fantastic examples of how you can use comedy, storytelling, tragedy and drama while still rocking a really great song that holds up even outside of its musical theatre context. This show was a real guiding light to me as a queer teenage punk and I love trying to channel its defiance and joy. I would love to be as inspirational to some queer kid as this show was for me someday! Sugar Daddy is a proper piss-off-your-conservative-uncle type song full of genre parody, off beat references and general outrageous fun. Hedwig’s impact on my personal hair and makeup choices is also notable.

Mr Blue Sky - ELO

Chlo: I know this is an odd choice because Mr Blue Sky has opposing energies to Maggie, but I actually used this track as a reference for mixing! Jeff Lynn is so intelligent in his use of sonic space and movement, it blows my mind- he's always doing already incredible songs further justice in production. When I was mixing the strings and backing vocals for Maggie, I tried to recreate his efforts of building tides of emotion through opening and closing spaces. His tones are also so clear and evocative! Whenever THWACK! are on a road trip to a gig or the studio together, I always make sure to play this song in the car because it ensures a positive start to the day. I’m unafraid to declare it, I bloody love ELO.