| Nic Armstrong & The Thieves | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 2004-present |
| Labels | One Little Indian New West Records |
| Website | Official Facebook |
| Members | |
| Nic Armstrong | |
Nic Armstrong & The Thieves is an English rock band founded by Nic Armstrong and perceived to be inspired by the blues and the rock music of the 1960s, particularly bands such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Kinks.[1] Nic Armstrong's The Greatest White Liar was released by One Little Indian Records and subsequently re-released under the moniker Nic Armstrong & The Thieves to illustrate that his live show featured a full band.[2] The US version was released on 8 March 2005 by New West Records and included a cover of "I Want to Be Your Driver," originally by Chuck Berry. The album was produced at Toe Rag Studios by Liam Watson, who has also worked on albums for the White Stripes, the Zutons, and the Kills.[3]
All tracks on The Greatest White Liar were written and composed by Nic Armstrong with the exception of Down Home Girl and I Want to Be Your Driver. Armstrong played the majority of the instruments and all vocals found on the recordings, with the exception of one backing vocal overdub. Jonny Aitken performed on drums.[4]
She Changes Like The Weather was selected by THQ and (the now defunct Pandemic Studios) to feature in the soundtrack of Destroy All Humans! 2.[5] The song was also featured in the film, Moving McAllister.
Down Home Girl was featured in a Honda Ridgeline commercial during Superbowl XL.
The music video for Broken Mouth Blues was directed by Moon (film) director Duncan Jones.
In 2004 Paul Weller invited Armstrong to open solo for him on his European tour, shortly after this Nic Armstrong & The Thieves were invited on Weller's full UK tour. The band made its US debut at SXSW in 2005, followed by performances at the Coachella Festival and Austin City Limits Music Festival. Oasis invited the band on a North American tour during the summer of 2005, which led Noel Gallagher to comment on the band's live show, "if they get their hair cut, they'll be one of the biggest bands in Britain. They're pretty special, man..."[6]
In 2006, under the band name, IV Thieves, New West Records released the album, If We Can't Escape My Pretty (titled after a limited edition Nic Armstrong song that was featured on a limited edition Dazed & Confused (magazine) flexi-disk[7]).
Nic Armstrong is currently working on new material for both projects; Nic Armstrong and Nic Armstrong & The Thieves. There are no plans for any further IV Thieves release.[8]