Les Thugs really began their career in 1983 with the arrival of Thierry Meanard and Gerald Chabaud who also played in Dazibao and Stress.
Contrary to what one can think, the name of the band doesn't come from the literal english word, but from a Mickey comic book including Huey, Dewey and Louie (Riri, Fifi and Loulou in French) who had to meet the Thugs, an Indian sect of stranglers founded in the XVIIth century who adorate Siva, the divinity of death, vengeance, violence and destruction of the creation. The origin of the Les Thugs typo comes from the cover of a Czechoslovak band named "Plastic People of the Universe" which had been deformed and upscaled with a photocopier.
In spite of the name's origin, Les Thugs weren't a violent band. Their main motivation was to fight against a shitty world which was dominated by money, manipulated information and corrupt politics. They were reputed for this because they symbolized a real rock attitude.
Their first recording, "Frenetic Dancing" was released in 1984 on Gougnaf Mouvement, and their first album, "Radical Histery" appeared in 1986 on Closer Records, an indie label of Le Havres, a city located in North France.
The year 1988 marked the arrival of the third Sourice brother, Pierre-Yves, to definitely substitute Gerald Chabaud at bass.
4 albums and 10 years after their creation, they released " As Happy as Possible on the famous indie label Roadrunner Records. The original name of the tape was "Same Day Same Shit", but as often, their great sense of irony took the upper hand. At this time, Les Thugs were considered as the leaders of the French indie scene and were at last recognized by the media thanks to their new affiliation with Sub Pop Records, the most popular American label of the moment which had recently worked with Nirvana.
Les Thugs were always disgusted by society and have recorded "Strike" in 1996 on Sub Pop with Steve Albini who was reputed for his collaborations with Nirvana and PJ Harvey. The guy who's qualified as a sorcerer of sound came to Angers with his old micros. This album marks the first time that lyrics were so split between the brothers : Eric sung 5 of them, Christophe 4, and Pierre-Yves one.
The band finished their great adventure in 1999 with the album "Tout Doit Disparaître (Everything Must Disapear).
Although Les Thugs were not very popular with the mass media, they have completely marked the world of French underground music with their powerful lyrics and their importants engagements against society.
Les Thugs - 1983 to 1988 :
- Guitare/Lyrics : Eric Sourice
- Guitare : Thierry Meanard
- Drums : Christophe Sourice
- Bass : Gerald Chabaud
Les Thugs - 1988 to 1999 :
- Guitare/Lyrics : Eric Sourice
- Guitare : Thierry Meanard
- Drums : Christophe Sourice
- Bass : Pierre-Yves Sourice
Discography :
Albums :
# Radical Hystery (1986)
# Electric Troubles (1987)
# Dirty White Race (1988)
# Still Hungry (1989)
# I.A.B.F. (1991)
# As Happy As Possible (1993)
# Strike (1996)
# Nineteen Something (1997)
# Tout doit disparaitre (1999)
45" :
#Frenetic Dancing
#Never Get Older
#Rock Hexagonal tendancieux
#Something's Gonna Wrong Again
#Chess And Crimes
#Falling Apart
#Sunday Time
#As Happy As Possible
#On Strike
#I was dreaming
#New Centurions
Compilations :
#Ultraviolette #2
#Raw Cuts vol.1 : French Garage
#Les Heros du Peuple sont Immortels
#Battle of the Garages vol.4 : Tomorrow the world !
#Eyes on You
#This House is not a Motel
#Nuit Noire DK Pulsar
#On another planet
#Virus 100
#Cette machine sert a tuer tous les fascistes
#Bad and Mad
#Enragez-vous
#Roadrunner promo
#Curtis Pitts : Sub Pop Employee of the Month
#Lutz R Mastmeyer : Sub Pop Employee of the Month
#Mrfiez vous des champignons
#Up to D.A.T.
#10 Ans d'Abus
#Rock Sound Sampler
#Soundcheck
#Road Closed
I Love You So
Les Thugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said goodbye and don't cry
Like a child above a drop, I had
To go far away from you
We are so lucky, you and me
This world is getting so crazy
When everything around us
And when I am so far
From you and when you smile
Is just a dream, I have this
Question in my head
How to walk without you?
The lyrics of Les Thugs's song "I Love You So" depict a heart-wrenching tale of love, separation, and the turmoil caused by the chaos of the world. The song's opening lines take us back to a time when the singer had to bid goodbye to a loved one, urging them not to cry but moving on like a child stepping off a precipice. The poignant portrayal of departing from a loved one despite loving them immensely is palpable.
The song goes on to express the fragility of the world that we live in, as war, bloodshed, and tears engulf us. The singer feels fortunate to have found love in such turbulent times, and when far away from his loved one, every smile is like a distant dream. This love, which brings joy and light to the harshest of realities, is the anchor that helps to navigate the tough times. The song ends with a question that resonates with anyone who's ever loved another person deeply: how can one walk without that special someone by their side?
"I Love You So" is a song that speaks to the universality of love and the pain of separation. The lyrics, combined with the band's punk rock sound, offer a powerful and emotionally charged listening experience. Les Thugs are known for their unique brand of rock music that blends punk, grunge, and garage rock. The band hails from France and was formed in the early '80s, releasing numerous critically acclaimed albums over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a long time, I remember
I recall a distant memory
I said goodbye and don't cry
I bid farewell and urge you not to weep
Like a child above a drop, I had
I felt vulnerable and fearful, like a child peering over a precipice
To go far away from you
I had to depart from your presence
We are so lucky, you and me
We are fortunate to have each other
This world is getting so crazy
The world is becoming increasingly chaotic
When everything around us
Amidst all that surrounds us
Is only wars and blood and tears
Consists solely of conflict, violence, and suffering
And when I am so far
While I am afar
From you and when you smile
When you smile in my absence
Is just a dream, I have this
Feels surreal, I contemplate
Question in my head
How can I proceed without you?
How to walk without you?
How do I navigate life without you?
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zilma Lizmal
This song changed my life, it is pure force
Marc Drulot
Les Thugs, le meilleur groupe français de tous les temps !
Guillaume HARDY
Carrément d'accord ! Le groupe que j'ai vu le plus de fois en concert (une bonne douzaine). Et le plus intègre. Avec un set immuable qui commençait toujours par N°6 du même album (IABF) avant d'enchainer avec celui là. Un pote retourné vivre chez ses parents en Bretagne il y a quelques années m'a raconté avoir rencontré Éric Sourice (le chanteur guitariste) là-bas dans un petit village où il est cantonnier !
theo lm
@Beaulande Xavier Noir Désir, c'est un peu différent comme approche. Enfin pour mon expérience personnel. Les Thugs, c'est direct. Noir Désir, parfois il m'a fallu un peu de temps pour accroché mais j'aime attention !!! D'ailleurs le concerte Tostaky en 1993 a été l'un des meilleurs que j'ai fait. C'était physique. Chez Noir Désir, mes albums préférés sont Veuillez rendre l'âme et du ciment sous les plaines.
Les Thugs, c'est autre chose.
Beaulande Xavier
@Grégoire meyniel Je suis plus jeune (juste un petit peu) et ils sont pour moi ce qu'il y a de mieux dans le genre en France.
Ce son...
En revanche noir désir m'a toujours laissé de marbre.
Phil Defer
@Grégoire meyniel 54 comme toi et que de souvenirs..
tesrockcoco1
@Grégoire meyniel en 1991?
Fermin Mugaguren
Para mi fueron la mejor banda francesa,tenían un sonido especial,lleno de energía,pero a la vez melódico y sicodelico,ah,y esos coros...Nunca pude verles en directo,no sé si se acercaron a Euskal Herria(Pays Basque) a
tocar,no me enteré,pero siempre estuve esperándolos.Me faltaron los últimos discos,pero los conseguiré,discogs?Fui un fanático de la banda,se la recomendaba a todo el mundo,y lo sigo siendo
JOAN AGUSTIN ARJONA FUENTES
Les Thugs, el mejor grupo de todos los tiempos del mundo!!!
ThomasFastforward
Pas loin de 25 après vous avoir vus pour la première fois, toujours autant de frissons. Vindious !