Thief Taker: an alternative and experimental band from Leeds, UK. Weaving intricate melodies and harmonies into groove-driven progressive songs. Fusing jazz, pop, classical and rock to express powerfully emotive cinematic phunk soundscapes. 


Thief Taker are: James McIntosh (Guitar) / Charlie Eager (Bass) / Curtis Hudson (Drums / Luke Baxter (Vocals)


"Thief Taker.
So... you have read it all before. Four white middle class-ish guys meet randomly and start a band.
So what?
First two jam, soon they become three when they find a singer who can actually pen lyrics, and eventually step up to four.
So fucking what?
Hang on though…
So…. Thief Taker.
Chuck the Sat Nav, smash the iPod, cut the umbilical internet connection and just stop...and listen.
Information overload abounds. It bombards and seduces us into not thinking, but true human emotions still need to be expressed, someone has to sense the zeitgeist, suss the times out, sum it up and throw it back at us to help us truly see, truly understand.
In these times of consumerist throwaway expedience there are still things that need to be said, need to be felt. Now, more than ever.
If dating sites offer guaranteed 'love in 6 months, or your money back', how long is it before there is an aisle in Sainsbury’s where we pick up this week’s Instant True Love Pack - after we have popped the eggs and milk into the trolley?
Well, in these uncertain times, where we all feel uneasy about the direction where we are heading - Thief Taker are switching off X-Factor and doing some of the thinking for us, wrestling with modern life’s dilemmas and holding up a mirror to reflect the questions we are asking ourselves but do not allow ourselves to be conscious of.
It’s not a dogmatic manifesto, though. It is comments on life, love and the human condition, wrapped up in simple and accessible melodies to subvert us. Thief Taker are a band of committed partisans laying improvised explosive devices into our unconscious - not as terrorists, but freedom fighters.
Guitar, bass, drums and vocals: James, Charlie, Curtis and Luke.
Songs to listen to, love, glean a little truth from - and a growing band of like-minded fans who have got the message, and know it is saying something new.
So, go to Sainsbury’s – aisle 3 next to the eggs is where they sell the Instant True Love Pack, and the 3-minute boil-in-the-bag 'Answer to Life’s Great Questions'. Then - when you are home, flick on the kettle and boil up freeze-dried gratification while you comfortably forget yourself and watch the X-factor…
Or.... take a chance, step out and challenge your preconceptions.
Go see Thief Taker, soon. So you can say you were there in the beginning.
It might not change your life, but it could help you think a little differently…"
--- Richard Cotton, OXFORD (06/12/2010)


THIEF TAKER: A NARRATIVE. (Charlie's story thus far...winter 2010)
___________________
Every Thief Taker fan has, at some stage in his or her life, inhabited a candle-lit room in solitude and pensive frame of mind and has reflected on the band that has shaped and sound tracked their lives so fittingly; and in this frame of mind every Thief Taker fan has asked themselves, "How did Thief Taker come to be? Why is Thief Taker here? Is there a God?"
-
You probably think these questions unanswerable. You are so stupid.
-
The answer to the latter is obviously maybe.
-
However, the two former questions require a far more complex answer.
-
James McIntosh, guitarist and founder, has planted numerous figurative and literal seeds in his lifetime, but the seed of Thief Taker is by far the most treasured one of all, for it has taken root and become a mighty oak.
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The roots deepened as McIntosh swiftly mastered the guitar, accompanied in a percussive manner by his close friend Curtis Hudson. Feeling an irrepressible artistic urge, McIntosh channeled every emotion he could through his instrument into the sound spectrum. It soon became manifest that the resulting harmonic progressions and attendant rhythms were rather pleasing to the ear and were more than deserving of further attention.
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Thus, the duo ambitiously sought after someone who could craft melodies and lyrics to their creations. Either by luck or by Providence they got all this and more in the form of Luke Baxter, the mastermind behind all Thief Taker’s lyrics, melodies and a not insignificant proportion of the instrumental parts.
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As Baxter effortlessly sculpted catchy melodies, soaring melancholy lines and lyrics that delved deep into the chaos of the human condition, all was going well for the group. There was, however, a distinct lack of low frequencies. Typically, such problems can be remedied with the addition of a bass guitar. So this they added. However, they needed someone to play it. Fortunately, some guy did that. Reader, that guy was me. I was terrible, and still am, but it is only bass, you can’t even hear bass half the time, so they let me stay.
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Thus, the trunk of the oak that is Thief Taker was fully formed and began to branch out. We took our music to the stage where it received rapturous applause and sitting ovations every night (most of our gigs are standing so the audience would display their admiration with a nice seating arrangement). Our troupe wrote and performed voraciously as only passionate musicians can, and the musical world was our oyster, a cherry ripe for the plucking.
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Alas, it was too good to be true, Curtis Hudson’s drumming career tragically died 14th January 2010. Bereaved, the gang accepted that the show must go on and so they recruited a Mr. Jonathan Cade who provided the band with a year of loyal service and musical ideas unprecedented in their artistic vision before leaving to pursue his flourishing career in electronic music. The band wishes him well.
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You dick, Jonny.
-
Thief Taker was at an impasse. In true Spinal Tap style, the band had now lost two drummers. Then, reader, a miracle happened. Curtis Hudson’s drumming career experienced an afterlife. It came back with a new fire and passion previously undreamed of. Thus the mighty oak, though stripped of its leaves and left bare by this winter of discontent, has survived.
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May we be grateful for the fruit that it bears.
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Amen.
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Assuming that I am addressing a prospective fan, I expect that such a person may well be thinking “Well now I know that fascinating story of Thief Taker, and have been treated to a deciduous analogy, I am curious to know what their music actually sounds like. I would love a description of their music before I commit to listening to it.”
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You moron.
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Our music is unquantifiable by language. However, I will attempt to express to you what a Thief Taker musical experience is like through imagining a listeners’ thought process.
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“Play. Mmm. Those are very nice chords. They seem to fit together in a logical way and I can’t imagine them being any other way, but they also move me very deeply. The writer of this music obviously has a good feeling for and understanding of tension and release in music. That bass line is also touching, melodic but also technically accomplished, which I find admirable. Those drums are very interesting. Clearly, the drummer has some unique creative ideas and these beats I am hearing fit the mood of the music perfectly. To whom does that heavenly voice belong? I have never heard such an evenness of tone and such an emotional delivery. These words are really making me think hard about their particular subject matter also. WOAH. That guitar solo, aside from being Hendrixian in feel, has taken the song in a completely new direction. This band has a firm grasp on my heartstrings right now, and is jerking them one way and another, wherever they please. And I say, 'Thief Taker, you have full reign. Take me where you please'. So they do, and I am taken on a journey, with sounds swirling all around my head until I don't where I am. Where is up and where is down? When the music hit that crescendo just then, I welled up with tears. I am definitely going to “like” them on Facebook.com”
-
-C EAGER.


You know, I can probably just stick you in my pocket if you were so annoying.

Anyway, I am a freshman. I study in such a wonderful yet strict school. I want to go back to my old school because of this, but I will kind of also miss my friends there.

I can be a little mean, but if you could just look at the other side, I can give you credit. Oh, and don't ask me stupid questions if you don't want a sarcastic answer from me. Eventually, there comes this part of me wherein I'll tell you to leave me or a certain person alone or else I'll have to slit your throat and throw you out the window.

Oh, and I can do you any favor. But not the sort in which I have to avoid anyone. I can't do that. But it depends on the person, of course.

I also happen to like anime, but I AM NO WEEABOO. My favored series are Love, Chuunibyou, and Other Delusions, Attack on Titan, and Reaching You.

My favored movie is Coraline, television series is My Girlfriend is a Nine Tailed Fox. My favored songs are Self Inflicted Achromatic and Half Step, both by the singing synthesis (computer), Miku Hatsune.

My favored sites are Anime Season, Kiss Manga, and Listen on Repeat.

My favored soundtracks are Traces of a Dream (Kanon) and Armored Titan Theme (Attack on Titan). I listen to a lot of music lately, of course.

Favored singers, Ke$ha, Bruno Mars, and Avril Lavigne.

My favored games are Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA,  Catherine, Assassin's Creed, and Silent Hill. Yes, I do love playing video games.

Favored YouTube channels, PewDiePie, CutiePieMarzia, GCN/Dartigan, and BuzzFeed.

Favored animals are the fox, wolf, cheetah, and llama.

I enjoy eating potato chips and noodles. I only eat chocolate before taking quizzes and exams. Ah, and I love eating rice porridge whenever I don't feel like eating anything at the time being.

I also love to draw and write, and I like roleplaying.

I'd also love to help you with anything.

Instagram: Lemon Fluff
YouTube: Candy Luv
Wattpad: Michuu-chan

Hello! Welcome to my Friend Museum! Listen to me and my friends answer stupid questions, play dumb games, and tell funny stories.

Maloni!!! my dick needs cleanin- also for you uncultured fuckers YDOC (Yung Dumb and Outa Control) was a shutout to Smino-@totytoohotty for finding him...fuck bow wow eat ass over coleslaw- mango is the right answer stupid yabag

Bad At Music ❤️
Sober <3 8/2/25
Better with AirPods because I don’t know how to make music.

Dive into the fourth DUMension.

DUM is a group of like minded imbeciles attempting to answer life's most crucial questions such as 'What the hell is going on?

You can expect 3 free downloads of New Music (Extra The Value)

XCLUSIVE CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS

(Past guests: Stephen Hawkins)

Follow:
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We are focused on bringing you exciting music ULTRAA new and OLD and stupidity. If you are stupid and can capture it with audio send us your shit and if you make music send us that aswell and you could be featured on our podcast.

When you are blind you cannot see. When you are deaf you cannot hear. When you are Dum you cannot.

@mitchwadecole      


Okey Dokey. First track for 2013. Listening Politicians, a visit to some roots for a change. Another Rooty one completed and ready to upload. 10 tracks on the HDD waiting to be completed, mixed etc. Lots to do in one lifetime.here's the blurb again
..Allan is the former lead singer and bass player with Ohibo Paronti and more recently his band KissThis. 
His live work as a bass player has seen him play at various venues such as the Hammersmith Odeon, London, The Brixton Telegraph, London, The WestOneFour Club, Showcase London, The 101 Club, Clapham,The Dublin Castle, London and The Cavern Club, Liverpool, The Milenium Centre Cardiff.
He has had solo and co-written works played on many Radio Stations in the UK and US, such as BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales, UIC Chicago, and Indie Stations in New York, LA , Philly etc. Allan recently played his first live solo acoustic performance on BRFM Radio.
As the bass player and lead singer with Ohibo Paronti, he appeared on BBC 2 Wales television, showcasing one of his solo compositions as well as three co-written songs. He has had a co-written song, Do It Again, released on an RCA Compilation Album.
His tastes and musical involvement are wide and varied. He has recently payed bass with Jazzy Africana, a fusion of traditional African music with Jazz and blues, peforming at the inaugrel Black History Day Concert in Stirling Scotland, October 2011. He has also recorded a live performance with them for BBC Radio Wales.
The late Phil Lynott once commented to Mike Oldfield, having watched Allan play at the Hammersmith Odeon, that he was..."an amazing bass player and vocalist"
Recently, multi-Grammy nominated Producer Dennis F Moody from LA said of Allan's current songs, "Great songs, great melodies and a unique voice." Equally praising him, top UK Producer Andy Hayman said, "I really like the songs and ideas, great work."
 DJ Claire Scott, Wave Radio, says "a great sound, very individual. There is simply nothing like him around at the moment."....and so it goes on.
His debut album, Caught Inside A Spinning Wheel, was realeased on 1st June 2011 at Cd baby and is available for download at itunes, amazon, Napster etc, Allan plays all instruments from drums to acoustic guitars, lead guitars, bass, keyboards etc and recording all the vocals himself. A number of classical musicians have made comment on the great string arrangements on some songs.
Question and Answer session
Q1 Too old to rock and Roll?
A. Possibly?
Q2 Too young to die? 
A. Hopefully!
Q3 Too stuborn or stupid to stop writing?
A. Absolutely Definately hahahahahahah

Allan Price;- Musician/Composer/Engineer/Producer/Lover of Music.

ALBUM REVIEW
Caught Inside A Spinning Wheel
By Chris Phillips BRfm

No not the one from the Animals is probably an answer Allan gives on a regular occasion, despite the slightly different spelling. There is a strong sense of Sixties style melody perfectly married to a more angular Bowie/Talking Heads manner of delivery. I'm Coming Back is a brilliant statement of intent, while Dreaming Of 66 is a heady mix of Psych with a tinge of David Essex vocal swagger. The press is giving a good kicking along with the politicians on Believe Everything You Read (Great arrangements), You and I is a simple dreamy ballad drenched in psych effects, it could go horribly wrong but somehow just works. Home To You and It's All A Dream have Beatles coming from every pore and Why Not......
Love Brings Me Down is surprisingly upbeat and You Have To Be is pure summer pop. There are Fifteen songs on this album and the best news is that it isn't Quantity over Quality because they will all find a special place in your head. Allan hasn't reinvented the Wheel but he has polished the spokes a little and it is running freely. Definitely check out especially if you like melodic sixties pop given a new wave makeover with barbed lyrics and unique vocal stylings.....
Chris Phillips....
www.brfm.co.uk...

"This is a great album!"  Phil Richards - Radio Verulam, St Albans.

you'll probably get it today but you'll definitely get it tomorrow (well assuming staff give you your mail automatically) i'll send more the next letter i send
update3: i just called the nurse's station because i legitimately want to know if you'll be able to call me with those quarters and it seems to be true - the package i  sent with 1.50 in quarters should be coming soon. they also told me i can just send regular money and you have a change machine there but i'll confirm that with you if/when you call - worst case scenario i have to wait until that stupid personalized card comes but then ill be able to call
i hope you can actually read this :/
update: i think staff might be catching on to me calling the unit bc this time they said "i don't know thats a question you'll have to take up with the nurse's station" either that or that guy is just a total ass. i feel so bad for you:( ugh i hate that you're in there- 5:50pm april 24th - i have a feeling you're managing to read this because you called around 5 like i asked you to and i DIDN'T GET TO ANSWER (what the HECK) i hope so. anyways, today i went out and bought a pre-paid card for visa and put 20 bucks on it. you called several times and i tried to accept it every time. it kept saying "card invalid! card invalid!" and it really pissed me off. so i called the legacy inmate communications, and asked them what was going on and they said my card wouldn't "release information"  and that i need to call my credit card company, so i called greendot and they said "you have ta wait till de 3rd to get personalized card" and i basically cussed them out (probably shouldn't have) and i tried to get my room-mate to let me use his card but he's useless. 
So I WILL be able to answer your calls, i seriously scratched up all of my change in order to put that money on there and im so disappointed because if you did read this i know you feel lied to. i'm so SORRY. i feel absolutely horrible i should have known before making that statement. please don't be upset with me, i'm very upset with myself right about now. please know i'm trying,  at the very least, i'll be able to talk to you on the 3rd -Desiree, I love you so much. I really hope you're reading  update: just talked to my room-mate and he will help me get something going tomorrow for the 20 bucks that i have on this card. so hopefully I should be able to talk to you! i don't want to be so quick to be sure because then i'll feel like im lying to you but ill figure something out. in the mean time i'll write you letters and send them out with a stamp. please don't think i've given up on trying to contact you because there's nothing further from the truth than that. i love you with all of my damaged heart and want nothing more than to hear your voice. also sent ur parents a letter so maybe that will change things? i thought i worded it pretty good. im ok with words that's kinda my strong suit also: if you think i'm lying i took a picture of the card and the packaging and stuff ( i know this probably wasn't neccessary but if i were in your shoes, i would feel like i was being bullshitted: https://postimg.cc/image/l4rm1ywlj/ ) i just really want you to know im trying so hard des. i really am, i'm trying to water the heck out of this tree and one day it will be SATURATED but right now it's pretty dry and it's not because im forgetting to water it it's like the sun just keeps drying up all of the water for no REASON - i hope you can call me with those quarters
i'm going to start mailing you atleast every other day since I can't accept a lot of your calls - i did send that letter to your parents and i think i worded it nicely i gave them my number and basically explained why i'd really like to be on your contact list i have a good feeling about it but then again im always overly optimistic
i made us a website so you can contact me in other facilties 
https://friendlysunshine24.wixsite.com/website-8 - i love you!

I haven't touched this thing for a year. I think it's time for a rewrite.

Rob. Echo. Phoenix. All of the aforementioned I go by in this fine world of auditory creationism and awesomeness. I am a college student, which means I'm beyond broke and have dreams that encompass the entirety of the universe. Or so it seems. I just wanna make music for the rest of my life.

I have been a musician for 11 years. In that time span, I have picked up drums, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals, mixing, and synthesizer/MIDI. I have also gotten myself educated in Music Theory I (but not II, thank you AP Theory exam score for messing that up.)

Because of my lacking in expensively mouthwatering recording equipment, many of the works you see on this web page (and probably my second one, since I'm running out of track time on here it seems) will be recorded almost if not entirely in Apple Garageband. I know, it's a terrible travesty, but until I can get my broke ass some decent equipment, this is the best I got.

Oh! I do drum covers too. Search "3choPho3nixx" on Youtube. That's me with the dorky egg-shaped head and marshmallow-esque body behind the drum kit making stupid faces while playing the drums. Or at least attempting to. Some of the general public doesn't seem to appreciate my love for the art.

Please feel free to message me here or on any of my other various social networking sites. I'll gladly answer them.

Live, Love, Rock, Roll and Dr. Pepper. Always and until the end of time.

\m/

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