The story of THOUGHT INDUSTRY

[@JunkyardSam]

OMG, this is an incredible interview. I saw them live in Texas after the first album, and had opportunity to hang out with them at their table. I'll never forget that. Great guys, especially Christopher Lee Simmonds. He was everything someone could hope for when you finally meet you're favorite band and they're really friendly and cool to you... Amazing guitar player and guy, all around. I still follow him on Facebook years later.

[@godsandaliensband95]

YOU are incredible Junkyard Sam!! Thanks for being you. -CLS

[@jeffcrampton4771]

Look up Conan Obrien Link Ray rumble you tube that's Dustin Donaldson playing drums. GOGGLE DUSTIN DONALDSON DISCOVERY IN EGYPT HIS GIRLFRIEND CUP AND HIM MADE A DISCOVERY IN EGYPT

[@waldopepper5601]

Thanks for the compliments. I had a great time playing with you.

[@waldopepper5601]

I remember playing a Harley Davidson repair shop in Savanah Georgia...and you and I were in a spat and I tried to come over with the "haymaker" in the van and busted my knuckles on the van light between the driver and shotgun seat. We played in Orlando the next day and I had to duct tape my sticks to my hand to play the show. Good times.

[@waldopepper5601]

Remember when all the guitars were stolen in Houston by our lawyer?

[@beelzebob23]

Saw them open for Skinny Puppy in OKC in support of Songs for Insects. They blew me away. Saw them again in Dallas supporting Mods Carve the Pig; me and my buds were the only people there. Got to meet the band; incredibly nice guys. Highly underrated band. Still two of my favorite metal/thrash albums of all time.

[@TheE23slack]

preach brother

[@beelzebob23]

@@TheE23slack Hey I know you.

[@Malkovith2]

Just discovered these guys, very impressed. Way ahead of their time and their second album gives me everything I need, so creative.

[@jeffcrampton4771]

Dustin Donaldson played with Link Ray the inventor of the rock and roll power cord.Dustin was on Conan Obrien you can see the video on KZbin Link played rumble the song was on the movie blow pulp fiction and independents day

[@TheStevilknevil]

thank you so much for sharing this. thOught industry albums had a profound effect on my listening skills. such adventurous musicianship. been listening since Mods Carve the Pig. Great stuff. thanks and love.

[@STAUNCHTV]

Thanks a million

[@MCO2ATL2DTWby777]

Wow!!!! Thanks for posting this. I got their CDs and there isn't much info on them. I grew up in Michigan and saw these guys a couple times in Detroit area. Awesome story about Peter (RIP) and Type O

[@STAUNCHTV]

i wish i couldve seen them at least once :( be sure and subscribe!

[@jeffcrampton4771]

Watch link Ray Conan Obrien rumble that is the drummer on KZbin Dustin Donaldson

[@EVOLUTIONONE1ONE]

Great interview I remember the band I was in back in Kalamazoo in 1988 opening for them at a show. They were desacrator at the time. Then my boy Steve Speath hooked up with them Great times

[@ernestcolwell9861]

WOW....... Nice interview and as well seeing Chris still around, we used to crash all the gigs T.I. did when they would come to Lansing Mi and play house parties and Ruskins Reef........ Cheers

[@LittleNikkiGram]

Great interview. I love hearing all of these inside stories from the source. It really helps fill in some of the space between the music and the actual lives of the members in terms of chain of events and progression of the band's sound. And TI's sound did evolve a lot, as well as lineup changes, so having this history explained really is awesome to hear as a fan. I, like the interviewer, learned of the band toward the end of their existence and had to go back through and discover all of the music after it had been out for a number of years. I hope Chris, or any former member will share more stories in the future. Cheers, thank you!

[@STAUNCHTV]

i am trying to contact members for a part 2! thanks for watching! plz sub and share!

[@milkweed722]

I grew up very near Kalamazoo and saw ThOught Industry in 92 and 93. I used to go th Club Soda(r.i.p.) quite a bit, that's where I first saw them. I have the demo tape still, and bought Songs for Incest the day it was released on cassette. I started learning guitar in 90 with an acoustic, and when I saved up enough for an electric, I went to Farrows Music(r.i.p.). I had no idea Paul worked there at the time. He actually was my sales person and sold me my first electric guitar(I still have the guitar btw). He even showed me a couple of things to play and practice. He was super cool to me. I loved your doc on the band and really appreciate that you made it and put it up for all to see.

[@STAUNCHTV]

thanks so much thats such a cool story

[@christianhaglund]

Thanks for doing this, it was very interesting and great fun to listen to.

[@STAUNCHTV]

THANK YOU!!! Be sure and Sub! more cool stuff comin soon!

[@rgbeach1969]

I bought Sounds for Insects at Rock Records in Chicago around the time it was released. Never head of thOught industry, but it was in the metal section and looked really interesting. I loved it, and loved the next 2 records. Never had the opportunity to see them live, unfortunately. Amazing band. After 30+ years I still go back to the first 3 records often. Recently found Outer Space on cassette, and just listened to it yesterday. Really happy to have found this interview. Thanks!

[@STAUNCHTV]

BADASS!

[@jmatthies1976]

Really cool to hear all this. Ti was my favorite band back in highschool (early 90s) and still listen to them today. Luckily I was close to kzoo and got to see them play more times than I can count. The Kalpalooza show was one of the more memorable as well as opening for skinny puppy. I had that 111mzd shirt chris is wearing in the video, lol. Good times.

[@jeffcrampton4771]

Dustin the drummer is my nephew look at Conan O'Brian Link Ray rumble was in the movies blow pulp fiction and independents day

[@jeffcrampton4771]

Dustin had the 111 coat on

[@caseyleonard1327]

Samzies

[@robwalsh9843]

I grew up on Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Primus, Cop Shoot Cop, Helmet, Grotus, Atheist, Cynic, etc. I'm pretty shocked I knew nothing about Thought Industry. Metal Blade really mishandled these guys.

[@schuyler242]

Been a fan since Songs for Insects. (Thanks to cool people in Colorado). Many good memories listening to these guys. Why hasn't Metal Blade released these on vinyl? Sucks to hear about that record label and the way these guys were treated. I have to admit, this band had a major impact on my life growing up.

[@STAUNCHTV]

BADASS!!!! Thanks for watching! be sure and Sub!

[@jeffcrampton4771]

Look at Conan Obrien Link Ray rumble that is Dustin Donaldson the drummer.He is my nephew

[@billmillmine3106]

Loved watching you guys back in Kzoo

[@fumeres]

Para mi es una de las mejores bandas de metal!

[@alvogeljr]

Great info here! Saw them open for Godflesh at St Andrews Hall Detroit back in 92. Then a bunch more times after that. Lots of energy on stage but I wasn’t aware of the conflict and addiction.

[@rock_and-or_roll]

Saw them open for Godflesh and Skinny Puppy in Colorado in ‘92. I remember them well.

[@ElijahThunderDrums]

So awesome to learn more about thought industry, specially the fact that Christopher was talking about my other favorite bands, such as: Yes, King Crimson, Rush, Van Halen, even Depeche Mode, etc. This is so incredible and interesting ! I love thought industry!()

[@STAUNCHTV]

i tried getting ahold of the rest of the guys but no dice!

[@wildkoba]

It's criminal that TI didn't get the recognition they should've. Had the pleasure of seeing them in 95 or 96 at the Bat Cave (NYC). Bravo! PS- I hope you got that "Gelatin" 7".

[@4200timeB]

Was looking at my acoustic an the TI sticker on it got me remembering the good times seeing these guys , hanging out with them getting drunk being a fan boy .. damn 90's where good . Outter Space definitely my favorite, damn i got a 7" in my record collection pretty sure its a marble blue an white maybe.... anyway great interview was wondering what ever happened..

[@caseyleonard1327]

Playing thirsty thirsty hippos with some mickeys and Brent and Jared and Mike while I was in high school might have been the Pinnacle of my high school career

[@keithlego8057]

I still have a copy of that thought industry demo cassette

[@michaelconaway9188]

Saw these guys in Virginia around 1995-96. Definately light years ahead of there time. Complexed riffs and subject matter.

[@newgearmedia]

Chris and I went to school together and pretty cool dude that could shred!!

[@coloryvr]

Very interesting! Yes: "Songs for Insects" is the climax of universal music history. .......I love this band so very much!

[@STAUNCHTV]

yesssss

[@dev_pringle]

Thought Industry have been my favorite band since first seeing them open for Skinny Puppy at the Moore Theater in Seattle. After that, openers for Type O Negative at Rock Candy where I spoke with Dustin a bit after the show. Then, saw them at the Off Ramp where I saw the band sitting pre-show and approached them and talked to Christopher about the line-up change (this was before Outer Space released) and then they played a KILLER SHOW, followed up by more chatting over many pitchers of beer. My buddy put Brent on the defense by telling him that Herb was fine as the new bass player, but Brent's technical chops were unsurpassed and he should go back to playing bass in the band. It was entertaining. I don't know if they ever toured or played Seattle on Black Umbrella or Short Wave. If they did, I am sorry I missed it. These are all amazing memories for me that I recall fondly. I still listen to the entire catalog to this day. Christopher is a class act all the way. Thank you for sharing this band history and perspective.

[@STAUNCHTV]

thanks for watching!!!!

[@generaljj577]

Man I saw some great shows at those venues. Never saw TI though damn it

[@dev_pringle]

@@generaljj577 Those were the days!!

[@ParticleHustler]

Just ran across this. I was a huge fan back in the day, hung out on Dewey's message board at hisWeb for Insects site (pretty sure that was the name, it's been 20+ years!). I bought Songs at a Tampa record store. They played the album and before the first song ended I ran up front to find out who it was and bought it on the spot. Only got to see them once - in Pensacola on the Outer Space tour. Show didn't start until after midnight and there weren't 10 people in the audience. Brent got pissed (or something) and walked off stage after 30 minutes and Paul Enzio, who I had talked to for a while before the show, came over and apologized for the short gig. I miss this band. Short Wave was an underrated last album, although it had a weird history of being released on THE 9/11 and featured a warped National Anthem to begin the album and jet engine drones at the end. Freaked me out, honestly.

[@beelzebob23]

KILLER fucking interview!

[@stonecat4395]

Does anyone remember a band named Clockmaker that Steve Spaeth started after leaving Thought Industry?

[@STAUNCHTV]

i dont! do they have any music online?!?!

[@stonecat4395]

Just this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXnbmqCqZ699i5Y

[@waldopepper5601]

I played in that band with Steve. That was after I got out of the army and started getting back into music.

[@laurencezemlick1979]

I got knocked out and a major concussion while crowd surfing at Kalapalooza in, I think, 1993. I missed TI because of that. Saw them a few other time though, always a good time. I was 13. Dustin had his cymbals mounted up really high, I always found that humorous. I gotta be honest tho - I absolutely loved Black Umbrella. Loved the first 2 as well, they got me hooked.

[@ignoblesavage5559]

SKREW was what emerged from the wreckage of Angkor Wat, who was INCREDIBLE for one album (Corpus Christi). Honestly I think Skrew was formed around the theme of Angkor Wat's song Indestructible: Innocence (1990s), which was 100% an industrial song. I loved BOTH Angkor Wat & thOught industry; they actually had somewhat similar feels, a kind of avant-garde thing woven into their own brands of metal. The vocals obviously were way different, with Brent doing clean vocals & Adam Grossman NOT...and oddly, the music was just not similar, but the FEEL was similar, kind of a sick thing, sort of similarly twisted. Anyway, I still regret that TI didn't make more music. Their stuff, to me, has aged really well. We needed more.

[@STAUNCHTV]

Checkout my Skrew and both Angkor wat videos!!!

[@ignoblesavage5559]

@@STAUNCHTV watched the 1st AW video so far. Very nice...too bad Adam didn't like the band name...I always thought it was one of the most badarsed names in music, ever. And Corpus Christi was SUCH a great record, so many really good songs (esp. Ordinary Madness, Schizophrenic Storm, Birdsong Earth, Indestructible: Innocence (1990s)...). I'll be watching the other 2 soon. Thanks.

[@ryangood4595]

The reason I know about Thought Industry is because Columbia House had Songs for Insects in there (and many other Metal Blade bands) so I don't know if I would be so quick to call Metal Blade out. Yes they probably could have supported TI better but guaranteed TONS of bands were treated like TI back then - not that it is ok - but "major labels" and "getting signed" is just "being a youtuber" back then. Musicians wanted a record label but didn't know what they were getting into. That's not the labels' fault, this is a business and unfortunately the artists suffer the most. I gave up on TI after Black Umbrella which is such an amazing album.

[@TheFricandel]

Brent is also an amazing good basplayer.

[@TheFricandel]

@Andrew Grey Patterson indeed. Sad he died so young.

[@ignoblesavage5559]

@Andrew Grey don't forget Cynic's Sean Malone.

[@greedo69]

@@ignoblesavage5559 this r.i.p.

[@caseyleonard1327]

One more fun fact Brent's dad taught me how to drive and health class

[@STAUNCHTV]

wow!

[@josephcieplak8920]

There's something I'd certainly like to add. this might have nothing to do with your video but I've noticed that most rock/metal/punk bands nowadays have not that magic/characteristic charm and last but not least the awesome style any bands of those types I mentioned earlier had in the days. in the 90's and early 2000's or something. I don't like nowadays metal bands unless they're goregrind or gorenoise there're some few death metal and black metal bands here and there which are pretty great but still I miss those days eventhouh I'm not that old. lol

[@STAUNCHTV]

AGREE!

[@caseyleonard1327]

I have that gelatin 7"

[@STAUNCHTV]

Chris sent me two but they were damaged in transit and have no covers! Any chance you can scan the cover front and back for me?!?!?

[@caseyleonard1327]

@@STAUNCHTV think i only have the white wax paper cover. But unfortunately it's in my mom's basement 3k miles away

[@chadpicha1589]

@@STAUNCHTV I own this 7" AND I'm a graphic designer. Do you need high quality scans?

[@STAUNCHTV]

@@chadpicha1589 omg i would LOVE that!!! can you please contact me at [e-mail]

[@UncleDeadly1031]

Title Correction: “One Side of the Story of Thought Industry”. This is great and I’m not calling into question the veracity of any of Chris’ claims whatsoever, but you’ll notice that even when he finally compliments Dustin or Brent, he has to insert very subtle jabs about them. Now, that’s part of being in a band that ended on bad terms so I get it. He lived through it, so he rightfully has valid feelings that are still not fully processed, but this all felt more like it was filled with negativity that almost always was caused by or focused on someone else and never him. He mentions a teenage anecdote about bragging to a girl “like a teenager does”, directly after bragging about how no one in his scene could keep up with his skill. This was likely true, but the lack of self-awareness in that segue was crazy. That said, I’m obviously super grateful for all this info and it’s certainly un-filtered and a very human account, so there’s that, at least. This band deserves a more objective, less biased telling of their story by an outside party. I’d love to read that. Until then, we have this, and it’s great, but let’s not forget every band’s story has multiple sides to it.

[@STAUNCHTV]

Yeah. The test of the band left me on read. They can tell their side anytime on my channel

[@UncleDeadly1031]

@@STAUNCHTV Good on him for being the only one to reply. Hopefully you can see where I’m coming from, though. Thank you very much for recording and providing us with this.

[@STAUNCHTV]

@@UncleDeadly1031 oh for sure. A few people have had similar comments and I get it. With any band that has a checkered past, I imagine there are variant upon variants of what went down. I for one would LOVE to talk with Dustin. He did a little interview a few years back with someone else