Longstanding stalwarts of the punk rock scene and champions of considered thought, Thrice are bringing their Vheissu 15 year anniversary tour to Baltimore on Wednesday, February 12. Vheissu famously marked a change in their sound, introducing electronic elements and a more experimental sound than anything they’d made before. The record still preserved their speed and changes in time signatures, but it still signaled a change in direction that would predict future albums.
Vheissu established Thrice as a band beyond the then-ascending (now-underground) screamo scene, as well as continuing their tradition of genuinely contemplative songs. The sound, influenced by Talk Talk and Thrice’s own already-established hardcore and punk pedigrees, featured multilayered and complex music, but the standout features are Dustin Kensrue’s lyrics.
The title of Vheissu is drawn from a place-name in a Thomas Pynchon novel (V – I never could finish it). The record itself is concerned with identity, the human spirit, and the importance of grit, of surviving.
From songs like “Image of the Invisible”, a call-and-response affirming the value of all of humanity, to “The Earth Will Shake” with its call for freedom from oppression and being marginalized. Or “For Miles” and its beautiful double-meaning – both a dedication to Miles Davis and a discussion on milestones and journeys.
Of course, other songs shine, too – such as – “Of Dust and Nations”, with its homages to both Plato and his cave and Lewis and his allegories from The Silver Chair and the always-hopeful personal favorite “Red Sky” with its promise to raise an empire from collapse.
Vheissu continues to be a deeply relevant record in the modern age, with its reminders of the importance of being human, of being good. In an era when truth is presented as a lie and a lie is accepted blindly, perpetuated by algorithms and talking points, a reminder to be honest and considerate rings painfully.
As part of that conversation, Dustin and the band will also be playing some b-sides from the Vheissu time period, including the song “The Weight of Glory”. As Dustin explained on his Twitter account (which is worth seeking out and following), he’s modified the lyrics as he’s learned more about the subtle ways Christian language has (and continues to) reinforce anti-semitism; as such, he’s modified the lyrics, changing “A ring of Pharisees and one of them was me” to “The patriarchy raged, we formed a living cage.”
With that simple change, Dustin reinforces the continued importance of Vheissu. Please make sure you go see this show at Ram’s Head Live and engage with these songs and ideas. The show will be opened by Holy Fawn, Drug Church, and mewithoutyou.
