Music News: Thrice embarking on spring farewell tour
February 22nd, 2012, 2:29 pm · · posted by BEN WENER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Late last year, Thrice, one of Orange County’s most successful groups, announced that it would go on indefinite hiatus following their spring tour.
Now we have dates for their farewell outing, including their final hometown shows, June 14-15 at one of the band’s standard stomping grounds, House of Blues Anaheim.
Naturally the trek will kick off and conclude in Southern California, launching May 4 at House of Blues San Diego and ending June 16 at Club Nokia in the L.A. Live complex.
Along the way are stops in Las Vegas (Hard Rock Cafe, May 5), Tempe (the Marquee, May 6), Seattle (the Showbox, June 9), Portland (the Wonder Ballroom, June 10), San Francisco (the Regency Ballroom, June 12) and Santa Cruz (the Catalyst, June 13), as well as gigs in Chicago, Boston, New York, Detroit, Denver, Toronto, Montreal and elsewhere. Animals as Leaders will open all shows.
A limited number of tickets will be available for Thrice fans exclusively through a Ducat King pre-sale starting Thursday, Feb. 23, at noon. The general on-sale begins next Thursday, March 1, also at noon.
“Thrice is not breaking up,” frontman Dustin Kensrue insisted in a statement just before Thanksgiving. “If nothing has broken us up by now, I doubt anything ever could. … The four of us have been through many highs and lows and overcome them together. I value their friendship, and it has been a great privilege to play alongside them for so long.”
Why are they taking this extended break? Kensrue, second from left above, explains: “Along the way we have adapted to many changing situations, especially the growing families of both Teppei (Teranishi, second from right) and myself, but it has been harder and harder for me with each step. I have three little girls now under the age of 5, and it is a huge strain on my family and I when I’m away for several weeks at a time. The way we’ve been doing things for a while is simply not sustainable for me anymore.
“I don’t know what the future looks like for Thrice, or for any of us individually. I do know that I would love to make more music in the future with them, as well as play some shows or short tours, but for the time being, I need to step out of the role of full time touring/recording musician, and will do so after this tour. I will continue to make music in various capacities I’m sure, and continue in my work as a Worship Director at Mars Hill Church in Orange County.
“I know this will be very disappointing news to many people,” he added, “and for that I am truly sorry. The amount of support and love we’ve been given in our career is staggering and overwhelming. … This upcoming tour should be a lot of fun. We are planning for it to be somewhat of a celebration of the last 13 years and I’m sure we’ll be breaking out a bunch of songs that have been buried in the archives. I hope to see you out there to celebrate with us.”
Thrice will ramp up that celebration with a lifetime achievement award at next weekend’s 11th annual OC Music Awards. The band is also up for many of the top prizes, including best album (for Major/Minor), best song (“Promises”) and best rock band. The ceremony takes place March 3 at City National Grove of Anaheim.
Read more concert news and reviews on the Orange County Register’s Soundcheck Blog.
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