Leeds band Ultimate Thunder have launched a crowdfunding campaign after receiving the news that their supporting charity can no longer support the band financially as they sit on the brink of releasing their second album.
“The most Punk-Rock band in Britain” – The Big Issue
“A ceaseless burble of bizarro ‘tronics worthy of Hawkwind’s Michael ‘DikMik’ Davies or Fifty Foot Hose” – The Quietus
All but one member of Ultimate Thunder has a learning disability and complex needs which means that, without support, rehearsals and gigs will stop with immediate effect and band members will no longer be able to meet as Ultimate Thunder.
Unknown to the band, Ultimate Thunder played their final gig on 3 February 2024 at The Brudenell Social Club.
Aptly described as ‘The Fall meets Hawkwind’, the creative collective have earned a reputation for offsetting their spiralling grooves with a snarling, noise-rock edge. Frontman Matthew Watson’s surreal lyrics and captivating, stream-of-consciousness vocal delivery are the perfect accompaniment to the band’s disco drums, driving basslines and cacophony of synth sonics and noise.
The current line up of Matthew Watson (vocals), Scott Anderson (drums), Alex Sykes (keyboard), John Densley (percussion), Kenneth Stainburn (bass) and the band’s mentor, guide and guitarist James Heselwood made their live debut at Leeds’ revered DIY space Wharf Chambers in 2019.
Their debut album ‘Ultimate Thunder’ was released in 2022 to acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, The Quietus, Prog, The Big Issue, BBC and more.
To allow them to continue operating as a band, Ultimate Thunder are raising money via a crowdfunder with all funds to support the band in resuming rehearsals and gigs, with the campaign already gaining support from the wider music community including Yard Act, Tim Burgess & The Brudenell Social Club.
For more information please visit:
Facebook.com/Ultimate-Thunder-Leeds
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ultimate-thunder-leeds-learning-disability-band
https://www.instagram.com/ultimatethunderleeds
Photography by Andrew Benge.
