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Fort Wayne - The Journal Gazette
September 3, 2000
The one-time Blind Melon guitarist is smack-dab in the middle of a national tour to support "Unified Theory," his new band's self-titled debut recording.
After scoring Top 10 chart success in the early '90s, Thorn's previous band ended tragically in 1995 with the drug overdose of vocalist and Indiana native Shannon Hoon.
Five years later, Thorn and former Blind Melon bassist Brad Smith recruited original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen, with dread-locked newcomer Chris Shinn on the microphone.
And Thorn -- fresh off the previous night's gig in Philadelphia -- couldn't be happier.
"It's absolutely really wonderful," said a giddy Thorn, after being dropped off in downtown Boston by an airport shuttle bus. "We never really expect Blind Melon fans to like us. We're a brand new band -- a completely new project. But they've been so supportive and excited, they're digging it."
Thorn attempted to explain the convoluted chain of events that brought the band together as he navgated the unfamiliar Boston subway system.
Krusen was an old friend (Thorn produced his indie release, "Dumb Mature Halo") and Smith was working on a solo project, "Mercy." Thorn heard about Shinn -- then the lead singer of the Charlotte, N.C. band Celia Green -- through a mutual woman friend in Los Angeles.
"She turned me on to his CD, and I was floored by it," says Thorn, huffing and puffing as he makes his way through the underground grid. "Luckily for me, (Shinn) had just lost his drummer and guitar player to Everlast, so it was perfect timing. The four of us hooked up in Seattle, hung out and tried writing a couple songs. If we didn't think they were great, we would've moved on."
Those two songs, "Passive" and "Cessna," are ethereal, hypnotic standouts on the CD, which also includes the current modern rock radio hit "California."
Solo projects abandoned and one month into Unified Theory's first tour, Thorn said being in a new band is just as much fun the second time around.
"It's completely different, but I don't really compare the two bands," he said. "It's unfair, like comparing ex-wives or something. I had an incredible time with Shannon and Blind Melon, but I'm having a blast now, too."
Now, if only the subway would cooperate. Seconds after purchasing and depositing a token, Thorn is experiencing a little malfunction.
"Hey, remember me? I just bought a token," Thorn barks cheerfully to the subway teller. "Well, it didn't work."
After settling his transportation dilemma, Thorn discussed some of the down -- and up -- sides of being back on the tour circuit.
"The worst part is not having space -- I need a certain amount of time to not be around people," he said, giggling. "You're in the van with the guys, you're in the hotel with the guys, you're on stage with the guys. Sometimes you need a little space."
The perks, however, more than make up for the lack of privacy and faulty subway tokens.
"It's amazing to travel and meet new people face to face," Thorn said. "We were isolated for a year writing these songs, so it feels great to see people's reactions."
Being a self-described "baby band" has also left Unified Theory with little choice but to perform in smaller, more intimate settings such as Piere's.
"People always ask that like -- since I've played larger venues -- it must be hard going back to clubs," Thorn said. "I love playing small stages. It's not the size of the venue, it's the relationship you have with the audience as a band when you're playing."
The band has also ventured into the land of music videos to promote "California," but that doesn't mean the teen-oriented TV market is onboard.
"I don't think MTV plays videos, but we made one," said a deadpan Thorn. "There are lots of other places you can see videos, though. You can download it off of Web sites."
Thorn said the band is aiming for longevity, and he hopes its debut recording will stand up to the test of time.
""Unified Theory's music boasts an infectious juxtaposition of retro and aggro-modern sounds that set them apart from Limp Bizkit and other Korny rap/metal chart-toppers.
There are, however, lingering similarities between the musical styles of Unified Theory and Blind Melon.
"Our intention -- more than anything -- was to create a new sound," Thorn said. "But the fact is, we can't deny we were in that band."