The first home-made tapes were recorded and copied in 1994. Lupe was the last to join the band in October scratching his way to create a new version of Thumb. Record companies began to show an interest and EMI signed a deal in March 1995. Six months later on 14th September Thumb’s debut was in the shops. A new star had entered the crossover arena. Genre-related bands Bad Religion, Dog Eat Dog, Henry Rollins and Foo Fighters kept the band company in the next two years at live gigs in Germany. Then it was time for the five to set to work in January 1997 and write the songs of their second album Exposure.
The album duly appeared on 5th May that year and proved to be a great surprise, because Thumb had changed direction. Thumb’s new sound is sharp-edged and at the same time so earthy that the critics are not the only ones to stand there open-mouthed. They have effortlessly succeeded in escaping the crossover stereotypes. The fans appreciate this move and the ensuing live shows lift Thumb above routine into a success story. Their path even leads them to America where they play in front of nearly 180,000 during the 1998 Vans Warped Tour. They played alongside greats like the Deftones, Bad Religion, NOFX and many more at thirteen shows in three weeks. Needing to recharge their batteries, they take a long break - and very nearly don't return from it.
Preparations for the third album slowly got underway at the start of 2000 but were abruptly interrupted when guitarist Axel Hilgenstöhler left the band half way through the year, the shock was compounded by the band's creative crisis. The band was on the brink of disintegrating, however, they were saved when new guitarist Axel Praiat along with the new blood coursing through the band's veins took things upwards again. Everything written and recorded up to that point was axed. Claus looks back on this phase: "It wasn't just a question of finding a new guitarist who could fill the gap. We wanted to be writing proper songs as an ensemble. In the past three years we have kept trying to do just that, but we never really came up to our own expectations." Their new-found strength virtually gave them wings. Anyone who thought that Thumb had reached the apogee of their creative career with Exposure soon had to think again. Whereas their old crossover companions had by now almost all retreated from the scene the Gütersloh crew were back with a heavyweight crossover/hardcore/alternative steam hammer unequalled in its genre and in its home country.
The new album showed progress. Thumb were coming in through the front door and they hadn't bothered to unlock it either. Beefy, powerful, with plenty of groove, intelligent arrangements and blazing anger in their belly they are forcing their way into the limelight. The sound was very dense. There are many ways to approach it and many small discoveries to be made about it. "Thumb's idea was never basic rock," explains Claus. "We always aimed to go deeper. Of course, we needed the sound to back that up. The first release from the third album, 'Down Like Me', is a typical example which shows that Thumb songs are more than just music to stomp to." 'Down Like Me' literally drives its way through the loudspeakers. PHAT! Steffen pushes the song forward with stoic, primal force, Axel's guitar work is mean and insidious, Jan Hendrik offers a nice soft pillow to cry on, Claus joins in with furious polyphonic arguments, and Lupe strings together chains of nuances to fuse the sound together. All this is crowned with psychedelic sounds within sounds and electronic elements reminiscent of Portishead. This single is a tailor-made opener, but the rest of the songs - this much we can guarantee - are in no way inferior."
Haunted
Thumb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haunted by the ghosts I called upon...he was haunted !
I'm not a two headed man , a monster in a can, not a jekyl and hyde, I guess I never had a plan, what this would turn into, but now I begin to understand all the shit, that the others have been through. I'm not a living dead with a zipper in my head...open me up to find out where I'm at, cause I'm my own creation, my frankenstein, so check the situation, 'cause it's about time that someone understood what I'm going through. I'm living through my worst ever dream come true, i'm living through my worst ever dream come true...so come true...my dream comes true !
The song Haunted by Thumb is a powerful reflection on the consequences of chasing fame and success, and how it can lead to losing sight of one's own values and identity. The lyrics describe the singer's frustration with the music industry and how it has forced him to compromise his artistic integrity in order to succeed. He acknowledges that he has paid his dues, but now feels trapped by the expectations and pressures placed upon him, which have left him feeling haunted by the ghosts he has called upon.
The first verse conveys his inner discontent with the situation he finds himself in. He admits that he never wanted to be in this position in the first place, but had no choice but to pay the price in order to achieve his dream. He grapples with the idea of being true to himself and his craft, while also wanting to succeed commercially. He questions whether it is worth selling out and being a "split-tongue guy with a split personality" or whether he should stay true to his principles, even if it means losing everything he has worked for.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on his own identity and how he is often misunderstood by others. He rejects the idea that he is some kind of monster or freak, but acknowledges that he is his own creation and has struggled to find his place in the world. He worries that he has become a living nightmare and is haunted by the realization that his worst fears have come true. Despite this, he holds onto the hope that if he can find someone who understands his struggles, he can overcome his demons and live out his dream.
Line by Line Meaning
I never wanted this in the first place, had I known better, I wouldn't have lost my face
Thumb didn't want to be in this situation, and now regrets it.
cause I'm not a sucker to the chances of disgrace, but I wouldn't be here, wouldn't fill this space.
Although Thumb is not one to be easily shamed, he is still here in this position.
But can it justify to be a split-tongue guy with a split personality, musicly, lyricly, can't you see that everything that I'm about derives around honesty...honestly!
Thumb worries about being seen as dishonest due to his music and lyrics, but emphasizes how important honesty is to him.
I wasn't made, don't even like the trade, sometimes you've you gotta pay in order to get paid.
Thumb did not intentionally seek out this career, but acknowledges the need to make sacrifices to succeed.
I paid my dues, now I don't wanna choose, 'cause everything i stood for is everything I lose, everything I stood for is everything I lose...so I lose...don't make me choose...!
Although Thumb has worked hard and has paid his dues, he feels forced to compromise his values and is afraid of losing everything he believes in.
Haunted by the ghosts I called upon...he was haunted !
Thumb is tormented by the consequences of his own actions and decisions.
I'm not a two headed man , a monster in a can, not a jekyl and hyde, I guess I never had a plan, what this would turn into, but now I begin to understand all the shit, that the others have been through.
Thumb thinks of himself as a normal person, but realizes that he inadvertently created a monster and is now experiencing the same struggles as others in his situation.
I'm not a living dead with a zipper in my head...open me up to find out where I'm at, cause I'm my own creation, my frankenstein, so check the situation, 'cause it's about time that someone understood what I'm going through.
Thumb has become his own creation and feels like a monster, but knows that someone needs to understand and help him through his struggles.
I'm living through my worst ever dream come true, i'm living through my worst ever dream come true...so come true...my dream comes true !
Thumb's reality feels like a nightmare, even though it's what he always wanted. He wishes it could be a better experience, but knows that it's his dream coming true.
Contributed by Ryan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jair Tovar
muy buena banda
I Love Aviation
That riff was cool bach then 🤣
Peter Schmuttermaier
Die erste Version von "Red Alert" hatte mich mit 13 (glaub ich) auf Thumb aufmerksam gemacht (war auf nem Visions-Sampler drauf - oder Musik Express?), als ich Haunted bei einem Freund gehört hab, war ich dann endgültig Fan. Der düstere Sound, das Theremin, das ganze Album hat einen so eigenen Sound - geiler Long Player.
strukturreform
Aaaaah geil, das Lied hab' ich ewig hier gesucht! Danke! ;-)
MrMotherfuck123
Die schnellere Live-Version ist wesentlich besser. Kannst Du evtl. auch hochladen ?
noizeman
Tja, da sitz man heute mit 30 vorm rechner, hört thumb auf youtube, schaut auf den verstaubten cd ständer auf die original cd und denkt sich, wir waren damals schon cool und sind es immernoch :D such a surge und thumb hatten halt in deutschland keine lobby, der industrie war es zu alternativ. dann kamen green day und offspring auf mtv und die kiddies fuhren total drauf ab. meine jungs und ich nicht, bis heute. meingott nur 7000 klicks für haunted. wir sind ein kleiner kreis, ich grüß euch :D
Tobi Thomas
Gegen den Strom halt ;)
I Love Aviation
Wart ihr nur cool back then.
August F.
rykers, jaja, der gute alte hatecore -.-´ son scheiß hey