The Pineapple Thief – @25 years

 

The Pineapple Thief – @25 years

by Pete Clemons

As the sodden Summer of 2024 - ok occasionally sunny I admit - makes way for Autumn, rock band The Pineapple Thief are gearing up for a tour of the USA, Canada, Mexico and a few other territories where, hopefully, brighter weather awaits.

What I find remarkable about all of this is that this tour comes during the bands 25th year of existence. And given the size of some of the venues The Pineapple Thief are still growing, still expanding their reach.

Thinking back to the many classic rock bands I have enjoyed, their lifespan, the period they created their best remembered albums, was relatively short. Yes bands like The Rolling Stones have existed far longer. But in terms of new studio output, albums have relatively rare during the last 40 years of their 60 year time span. The Beatles, 12 years or so together.

So I do think that 25 years of hard graft, and still releasing worthwhile music, deserves a tip of the hat.

In hindsight, it seems that changes within the band have happened on an 8 yearly, or so, cycle. Not that it is some kind of target or been planned in any way. It's just the way the bands career has panned out.

I think it was The Pineapple Thief's principle writer, Bruce Soord, who mentioned that there are three distinct phases or era's of the band. The early cottage industry releases that began during 1999, the early K.Scope era from 2007 and, more recently, the Gavin Harrison era. Each of these aspects of the band are very distinct with each having their own merits. Add that to Bruce's own solo career and it amounts to a very decent body of work.

What is absolutely wonderful to read on social media, for example, is the variation of opinion as to different favourite albums. That, to me speaks volumes about the reach of a band. Imagine, in a huge range of record releases, if everyone had the same favourite album. That band might not be so interesting.

Many music careers have been and gone during the 25 years that The Pineapple Thief have been in existence. Some of those careers more successful than others. The Pineapple Thief are not a household name, but at the same time, have not been unsuccessful. They have had chart success but, admittedly, that is very contextual nowadays compared to what it once was.

I always get the impression, reading interviews, that Bruce comes across as feeling guilty for putting those closest to him through it all. At the same time being incredibly thankful that they do so. But he is a musician albeit, I think, a very humble one.

Bruce's songs tend to ground you. They are far from mundane but they strike a chord within you. They tend to get you to reflect and focus on what really is important in life. If you allow them to they will wash over you on a more emotional level. They are unique in that the songs appear to be aimed at progeny and relationships. And, yes, they occasionally veer off to document the state of the world and self growth within it. Full of warmth if you like. But at the same performed with a venomous rocky edge to them.

Do these songs endure?. I think they are absolutely timeless. Memories, life experiences, loss and longing, courage, disappointment. Its all there. These are powerful records. May The Pineapple Thief continue for years to come.