Thunder Horse formed in San Antonio, Texas, in 2018 when Stephen Bishop (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Todd “The Bird” Connally (lead guitar) joined forces, later rounding out the lineup with Dave Crow (bass) and Johnny Lightning (drums). Their debut album on Ripple Music introduced a heavy, doom-laden sound that they pushed further on 2021’s Chosen One. In 2023 they hit a career milestone with After The Fall, which debuted at #1 on the Doom Charts and brought an endorsement from Orange Amplifiers. Rooted in Texas but reaching far beyond, Thunder Horse delivers crushing riffs and dark, melodic power that have made them a rising name in modern doom metal.
The Origin & Identity:
How did you all come together as a band, and when did it feel real?
– Bishop: Thunder Horse officially got together to start writing music as a group in 2017. A few of us, Todd, Shakes and Myself were in another band together previously from the mid 90’s to the mid 200’s. We broke up after a really great run and just took time off, about 10 years! I started writing some new material and hot a brick wall so I reached out to Todd to help out. He liked the songs I sent and that’s how it all began! It was almost like we never stopped playing together, even after a 10-year break. The only new addition to us 3 was Uncle Dave Crow on Bass, and he and Todd have been friends since Childhood! They literally grew up together. It was all one big happy family.
Where did your band name come from, and why does it feel like you?
– Bishop: I work in the Oil and Gas industry and spent many years working offshore. One of the very first places I worked was on a Drilling and Production platform called THUNDERHORSE. I immediately jotted that name down in my little book of ideas and it just stuck! We are Thunder Horse (2 words), though. Also, for the record, I had never heard of Metalocalypse at that time. I had no idea that it had a song called THUNDERHORSE (one word)! LOL
Did you have a clear vision for your sound from the start, or did it develop naturally?
– Bishop: Yes. I absolutely knew what I wanted to do. I have always been into more “doom” type of music and that is really the stuff I listen to the most, regardless of the genre – metal, industrial, goth, etc. I am heavily influenced by classic metal, Industrial and Post-Punk, so the music I was writing was heavily influenced by that as well. We have obviously evolved a bit, but we still try to keep true to our love of that type of music.
What should listeners know about your newest album?
– Bishop: That last release we had was in 2024 with the release of our LIVE album Dead Alive in TX. It was a compilation of some of our favorite songs from the first few albums and was a mish-mash of recordings from a couple of shows in TX. We are currently writing a new album and hope for it to be released in 2026/2027, depending on the label’s schedule (Ripple Music). The new stuff is very evolved from the first 3 studio albums. We keep trying to push ourselves creatively, but remain true to our roots.
Influences & Creative Process:
Who or what has shaped your sound in ways people might not expect?
– Bishop: Well, I am an old Riveted. I really grew up listening to everything under the sun, including old country, soft rock, radio AOR, classic rock, etc. I grew up in a time of really great music from the 70’s on. I think I really developed my style in the early 80’s, though. I was listening to TX hard core, Post Punk and Industrial music a lot back then. It really shaped my musical tastes and has a heavy influence on my style today. The other guys are all similar. Grew up listening to everything, but it was those precious Teen years that really carved out their styles. Todd is really into Guitar rock from the 70’s. Bands like Mountain, Sabbath, Tower, etc. Dave is really into the stuff like T-Rex, Sweet, Cheap Trick, etc. and Johnny, our newest member and drummer, is much younger than us but really locks in to Rock, classic rock and metal from the 80’s and 90’s! We really love it all.
When creating a song, do you follow a routine or mix it up each time?
– Bishop: No. Sometimes it’s the riff first. Sometimes it’s a melody idea. We ALL write, so we all have a different process. I prefer to come up with a riff and then try to develop a structure and melody. The lyrics are always the last thing I write, which is weird having being a vocalist my entire career. I never write lyrics first.
Are there moods, riffs, or ideas you find yourself returning to?
– Bishop: I think yes. I have a bucket of riffs from over the years that I dig into occasionally. They just never got worked out, or I lost interest. Sometimes I find a nice surprise in the old catalog and develop it. I did that on a couple of songs on the new album! We do have an occurring them too. Our artist, Pig Hands, has done an amazing job with our Album artwork on the 3 studio albums. He next one, we are thinking at least, should be the final horse of the 4 horses of the apocalypse! This also gives us a direction for almost a concept album! I am really excited to record these songs. They are the final chapter of 1 big long story!
How do you make writing decisions — together or does someone usually lead?
– Bishop: We all write music collectively and individually, but I write all of the lyrics. Todd has had a lot of input lately, but he always gives me free rein to keep or toss out anything I want. I try to write to fit the mood and the music. Sometimes it’s first person, sometimes it’s fantasy. I am all over the place, but I write the lyrics I hear in my head, for better or worse.
Musical Technique / Composition:
When layering sounds, do you focus more on tone or on mood?
– Bishop: Mood for sure. Coming from that electronic industrial background, layering and “ear candy” is really important to me. We always want the song to be interesting. Take the listener on a journey. Even being a fan of Doom like I am, I can only listen to droning, or ethereal stuff =for so long before I get bored, so we try to mix it up. Sometimes stuff is super low-tuned and sludgy, sometimes it is more blues rock and faster. We just write what we like and try not to fit into a nice little package.
Do you use alternate tunings, odd meters, or unusual chords to shape your sound?
– Bishop: Yes. We usually tune to D standard. 95% of our stuff is in D Standard, but occasionally, we will drop tune, or go to C# standard. Just depends on what the song calls for. Some stuff on the After the Fall album was done with a Baritone guitar in B! LOW stuff!
How much of your arrangements come from improvisation versus planning?
– Bishop: I never start with a formula. Always just a riff or an idea and see where it takes us. Of course, If I have a song that is a bit repetitive, or long in the message, the guys, especially Todd, will help me arrange it to trim out the fat. Vinyl can only fit about 40 minutes total, so we try to keep our content inside that window. We don’t separate the Digital and CD content too far from the album, so it’s not like you get 5 additional songs if you download or get a CD. If the songs aren’t good enough to make the vinyl, then we just can them and see if maybe they make the next record.
Stories & Experiences:
What’s one moment that truly captures what this band is about?
– Bishop: Just our Live performances, regardless of the venue. We LOVE playing festivals. It gives us a chance to perform in front of people outside of our regular fanbase. Those are special shows and we always truly appreciate being invited to perform at ANY festival. We have done some pretty amazing shows in some pretty amazing places. They are all special.
Does playing live bring out a different side of your music?
– Bishop: Yes. We are absolutely a LIVE band. Most of our friends and fans always say they love the live performances because they see that we are truly at home on stage. I think the studio is great, but nothing beats the energy you get from a great crowd in a great venue.
What’s the quirkiest experiment you’ve done in the studio?
– Bishop: Aw man, we do a lot of quirky stuff! Lots of guitar and amp experimentation, samples, video stuff. We take a lot of influence from those 80’s and 90’s industrial bands and try to use those influences when we can!
Has a fan ever done or said something that made you see your music differently?
– Bishop: The biggest impact was when we did a show in our Home Town. It was the FIRST live show after a Covid lockdown. Some of the people there had not seen a live band in over a year! It was crazy. Just seeing their faces, the smiles, the tears. It was awesome. I am glad we were the first band they close to come see.
Current Inspirations & Recommendations:
Any up-and-coming musicians you think deserve more attention?
– Bishop: I am really into everything right now! I keep finding myself gravitating to bands like Domkraft and Spelljammer right now. I don’t know why? I am also listening to a LOT of old obscure “industrial” bands like Ugly Mustard, Cop Shoot Cop and Evil Mothers. I just love that stuff!
Vision & Reflection:
Where do you see your sound heading next? Any experiments you’re itching to try?
– Bishop: We have done shows in QUADRAPHONIC sound, so I’d like to go a step further and do a show in full ATMOS!! We love video and sound experiments, so I think doing a show like that is definitely in our future.
Which track do you feel captures your band best, and what’s the story behind it?
– Bishop: There are so many. I have never released a song I didn’t like. We never release fillers. I say it’s really hard to pin any one song down to sum us up, but I am really excited about the next album and where it is headed. Maybe there is ONE on there?
What do you hope people feel when they sink into your music?
– Bishop: I really hope listeners just enjoy the journey! Throw on some headphones, Partake in your vice of choice, close your eyes and listen! I promise there is something on there you have never heard or even knew about. Just take it all in and share with your friends!!
Turbo Regime:
Fuzz or distortion?
– Bishop: We actually use Amp Gain!! No distortion or fuzz pedals except for effect only and occasionally.
Analog or digital effects?
– Bishop: ALL analog live. Of course anything is fair game in the studio!
Sabbath or Zeppelin?
– Bishop: Collectively as band, SABBATH!
Heavy riff or mind-bending solo?
Bishop: I say Riff, Todd says Solo. LOL. That is about the only thing we ever disagree on!
Vintage gear or modern kit?
– Bishop: I don’t care. Both have their advantages and draw backs. I use a little bit of both.
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