The Thermals provided a pleasant surprise at the Echoplex in Silver Lake this past weekend. They’re another band I learned of through the KEXP podcast out of Seattle. Though I only heard a couple of their tunes prior, I had a gut feeling The Thermals would rock live. I was right. The high energy performance got the (predominantly annoying college) crowd bouncing with catchy songs and the animated Hutch Harris (vocals and guitar). Kathy Foster (bass) and Lorin Coleman (drums) complete the trio. The Thermals are the third Portland, Oregon-based band I’ve seen in the past month. That area continues to pump out good bands.

St. Rosa and the Swallows (live from KEXP)