An Interview with Banner Thomas

(photo courtesy of Banner Thomas)

Who did you first discover in music?

Why, the Beatles, of course. I saw a video of them on the Jack Paar show a year before they were on Ed Sullivan.

Who were the main influences behind your deciding to be a bass player?

I had been playing guitar about two years when Cream came out, and when I heard Jack Bruce, I went out and bought a bass.

Who were your first band and what were they like?

 It was a garage band. We never had a permanent name. We played church coffeehouses to pick up girls. I was almost sixteen at the time.

How did you first come to join Molly Hatchet?

A guitar player named Donald Hall and I were jamming together in spring of 1973 when we met Dave Hlubek at a local music store. Dave invited Don to come try out with his band, newly named Molly Hatchet. Don stayed in the band about three months, but that winter, Dave called me up to see if I was still available on bass. Thirty two years later, Don and I still get together to jam occasionally.

Who socialised with who in the band?

By the time we were out on the road, Bruce and I were hanging out a lot. Danny and Duane were staying drunk together, and Dave and Steve were usually putting their heads together writing songs.

Have you got any favourite memories or Hatchet anecdotes you can share with us?

Well... they mostly involve drugs or girls, so I'll just politely keep my mouth shut.

What was your favourite recording as a member of Molly Hatchet ?

The "Flirtin' With Disaster" album. We were at the peak of our momentum and creativity.

Did you have a particular song that you didn’t enjoy playing?

There were several songs that were a chore to record, but everything was a blast to play live.

What were the reason behind you leaving the band?

The original band was already starting to split at the seams. Danny decided he didn't need us and quit to go solo. Steve broke his hip and was hospitalised for a few months, and that gave Duane a chance to start thinking he was the rock star of the band. I was arguing a lot with Dave, and got fed up and quit. Interestingly enough, I'm better friends with Dave now than with any of the others.

What did you think when you first heard No Guts No Glory?

 "Boy, this album sucks!" Actually, I still haven't heard more than a song or two of their later material. I just...wasn't interested.

What are your relationships with the other original Hatchet band members?

We don't keep in touch. All the old problems that were always there, the backstabbing and rip-offs, are just as bad as ever. I'm not interested in communicating with any of the old band except Dave. He's the only one who has been a real friend over the years.

How did you start Big Engine?

 I didn't. Tony Mikus started Big Engine. I just joined Big Engine. Tony met me at a music store (yes, the same music store where Dave met Steve and I met Dave), and asked me to fill in on bass while his bass player was out of town. About a month later, he called me up and asked me to join.

How does playing in Big Engine differ from playing in Molly Hatchet?

Like night and day. In Big Engine, no one is trying to screw anyone over, and everyone gets along. Plus, we're all pointing in the same musical direction.

What happened to the Flirtin With Disaster band?

We're still around. FWD is just Dave and me with the rest of Big Engine as the rhythm section. We've just all been so busy lately that we haven't been able to match up our schedules to get together.

Was there any particular reason why your collaboration with Randall Hall in Southern Rockers Reunion didn't take off?

Our directions are so different that we don't feel like any future collaborations would be successful.

What is a typical day like for Banner Thomas now?

I get up with my wife DeeDee, we play with our cats, especially the new litter of kittens that just arrived, then I go online to answer stupid questions and swap gossip and talk trash with my pals Kieran and Tom. Then I go play with Big Engine. Ain't life grand?

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Besides the obvious things that are none of your damned business, I enjoy going to the gun range with my trusty forty-five automatic, and playing this nice old Stratocaster guitar that I got. One of these days, I'm going to rebuild the carburetor on my motorcycle and get rolling again.

What does the future hold for you, Banner?

One of these days I'm going to record my solo album, I promise!