There are new inventions in progress, and more abandoned instruments under the stairs. (Like most of us, Thomas has not always been one-hundred-percent-successful in realizing all of his ideas).
MOTHER SUPERIOR
(c. 2007) Delivering a dizzying array of grooves, clacks, snaps and thumps, she is Bigger and Badder than her motorized spinning mechanical drummer predecessors.
The HORNICATOR
(c. 2000) Thomas’s prime cohort and “Left Hand Man”, pimped-up gramophone the Hornicator is “More akin to a William Burroughs-style hallucination than an instrument.” -ProperTop.com
The STRINGALING
(2003) “…and then there’s The Stringaling (don’t ask).” -Dazed & Confused
The CADILLAC BEATSPINNER
(c.2000) Thomas’s first motorized mechanical sound sculpture/drummer. Seen here at Sidewalk Cafe, NYC. She was featured prominently on the first album, including ‘Ocean Orphan’. Currently retired.
SISTER SPINSTER
(c.2002) The second of Truax’s motorized mechanical drum machines, Sister Spinster was built for the road, and made somewhat collapsible so that she could be flown overseas.
The BACKBEATER
(2003) “He wore something on his back that looked a little like a UFO…goodness knows what the heck that was made out of…probably a real UFO given the unworldly noise it made!” -HearingAid Reviews
MARY POPPINS
(b.2006) Combines spoons, aerodynamics, centrifugal force, a motorcycle headlamp and a playing card. On the road through 2007. “She provides great accompaniment on ‘Stranger on a Train’ replicating the sound of the rail, driving the song along. The lyrics describe life on tour, the rail journeys and feelings of being rootless.’ – Egigs.com
DOCTOR PACEMAKER
(Germany 2013) The Doctor was an extra-large spoked-wheel drum machine built into a large metal performance cage which held Thomas and his other instruments suspended by cables from the rafters above a water-filled stage. Created for ‘Peer Gynt’ which enjoyed a successful run through Theater Dortmund’s 2013/14 Season
SAXOGRAMOPHONE
(Germany 2013) Created for ‘Peer Gynt’ which ran through Theater Dortmund’s 2013/14 Season
The SLINKOPATOR
(2011) Born from a need for a Slinky and some ‘drums’ to get together, The Slinkopator appears on the September song of the Monthly Journal album. See it in action here. Privately owned.
The BLACK TAMBOURINE
(2008) Built for the cover of the song Black Tambourine by Beck, featured on the album ‘Songs from the Films of David Lynch’, and featuring a nasty pair of scissoring snapping teeth.
WENDY WINDLESS WINDCHIME
(2013) Featured on the song ‘I’ve Got To Know’, Wendy is a push-button motorized wind chime. We last heard she was living in Texas, privately owned by a kind patron of Jetstream Sunset.
The GRINDER
(2009) Appeared frequently on stage for a short period, before being deemed too dangerous for most live settings.
The SCARY AERIAL
(2009) Someone may not be getting very good reception anymore on their old TV set. But it was worth it.
MINI SPINSTERS
(2007-11) This is Wild Jane, one of a series of unique MINI SISTER SPINSTERS built by Thomas. Some were created as gifts, while others were privately purchased. The number was limited to seven.