Logo by Anne de Grace/ Nelson BC

This Thing is a musical performance project which started in 1991.

It Manifested mainly around Nelson, BC.

This site is intended to promote and perpetuate This Thing and its subsidiaries.

I've tried to give some historical perspective to this website. This is mainly because, the period of time that I lived in Nelson, gave me the opportunity to work with some truly amazing people. It was a unique time in that region's cultural identity. And I feel almost lucky to have moved there when I did.

It was probably a unique combination of variables that caused This Thing. It wasn't just ME writing a bunch of songs and hiring people to play them. To say "hiring" in the first place would constitute fraud. I had no money.

The people with whom I worked still baffle me. Obviously, I'd like to think the material itself was their Deciding Factor. This is vain me talking of course.

It's no small feat to take on learning another songwriter's material. All these folks had to spend time learning songs that were "tricky" compared to those of other bands. We rehearsed in situations that were at best, sketchy. We played to audiences that we outnumbered - which is useful only when they get violent. We certainly didn't make any money. We also had our share of people who thought we were crap, and would tell me so.

I think that after going through enough of this, one gets to the place where one decides, " I had better play the music I want. I don't seem to be getting much else from this."

Still, I think we had fun.

Most of the folks I played in the band with, had gone to Selkirk College's Music Program. I found it a valuable "audition" scenario. Everyone could read music. Everyone understood conducting patterns. Most of all, We all became better players during and because of our time there. The Audition Process was relatively simple. I picked the ones who had the best Work Ethic.

We were all pretty eager to try out out NewFoundKnowledge on an unsuspecting public. I was somehow able to convince a few, possibly sick, individuals to learn the material, wear costumes, and perform under some of the most musically chaotic circumstances I could imagine for them. They more than Rose to The Occasion.

I will eventually reopen the Box that This Thing Lives in. It has been closed since 1996.

In the meantime, Enjoy this Offering.

By the way, this site is built by myself with invaluable assistance from Mr.e, Mofo, and GoatVirus.

This site is © Richard Fordham o/a Clear Thoughts Enterprises. Exceptions to this would be any outside material, like reviews and such. I will duly note these.

Any bulletins concerning site updates or related news, will appear in The Top Frame. I will date these so that you can avoid redundant searches. Links are on the left.

Please do not steal from this site. I leave your stuff alone.

Enjoy the tour.

Richard T.A. Fordham, September 22, 2003

You are currently at HOME. Before you go elsewhere,

remember

This Thing Brand Music is "scientifically designed"

to give

maximum physical, intellectual, and spiritual pleasure.

Accept no substitutes.

IF IT'S NOT

THIS THING BRAND MUSIC,

WHAT ARE YOU

PUTTING IN YOUR EARS?