Andy Thomas has worked his way up the ranks as an electrifying guitarist across the United States and abroad, whether it’s fronting his own wild-n-out project The Trongone Band or being the six-string rocket fuel for the melodic muscle car that is acclaimed Americana act Yarn. Produced by fellow Virginia native and longtime friend Dave Schools, the legendary bassist for Widespread Panic, and captured at the renowned Spacebomb Studios, Thomas’ solo work connects the dots of Thomas’ troubled past and hard-fought strength of self in the present — this juncture of fiery southern rock and roll and high-octane country blues.
Thomas found sobriety in recent years, a deep source of stability and motivation to seek out long-held dreams once thought to be too far beyond the horizon. “I’m still navigating [sobriety] every day, but once I got into the thick of it, after a few months, I was able to find new things to replace ‘all that,’” Thomas says candidly and happily. “I was able to refine my love for music, and why I did it. I’ve got a story. I know I have a purpose on this earth, and I need that to translate into my music—if I can beat this, I can do anything.” And in telling his story, The Trongone Band frontman and guitarist for the acclaimed Americana act Yarn crests that oft-impossible-to-reach horizon behind the wheel of a screaming, V8-powered muscle car full of electric guitars and enough energy to power the eastern seaboard.
Today, Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of Thomas’ new tune “Dirty Work” along with its lyric video. Produced by the legendary Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools, the song is a stomping work of blistering, funky and soulful blues-rock. With its massive guitar, organ, and vocals, the song succeeds in showcasing all of Thomas’ talents combined. We get potent and catchy songwriting, guitar prowess, and true frontman charisma. The song is also ripe for ripping up in the live setting, with Thomas backed by a ferociously tight band to make for the kind of song that feels like a modern manifestation of Gov’t Mule but with plenty of youthful swagger.
“‘Dirty Work’ is an anthem for everyone who’s been overworked, underpaid, and overlooked. It’s for the folks who are tired of building someone else’s dream for nothing in return. The little man finally breaking the chains. I wrote this song after a so-called friend, mentor, and boss wronged me one last time. The gospel-inspired ending brings a moment of hard-earned relief, driving the message home with grit and redemption.” – Andy Thomas
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