A down to earth, rootsy yet class imbued Hard Rock act, THUNDER fostered a genuine groundswell of major fan support to land a series of hit UK albums and singles. Despite deserved and almost immediate success in the their native country, aided by a series of well deserved hit singles, America was slow to appreciate THUNDER. The origins of THUNDER can be traced back to the late 70s London act NUTHIN' FANCY, comprised of vocalist Danny Bowes, guitarist LUKE MORLEY, bassist Mac McKenzie and drummer Chris Hussey. Bowes and Morley first met at Haberdashers' Askes School in South London's New Cross in 1975, cementing a creative relationship, which continues to this day.

Having parted company with the rhythm section (McKenzie teaming up with DUMPY'S RUSTY NUTS and much later to become THUNDER's manager), replacements were found in ex-MOONTIER drummer Gary 'Harry' James and WHITE NOIZ bassist Nick Linden. This incarnation of NUTHIN' FANCY released a solitary single before a change of name to TERRAPLANE was adopted in the early 80s.

As TERRAPLANE, the South Londoners released a string of singles and two commercial Pop Rock albums on Epic Records before calling it a day. Choosing to stick together the trio of Bowes, Morley and James regrouped to form THUNDER with guitarist/keyboardist Ben Matthews.

Having signed to EMI Records on April 28th 1989 the band finalised its line-up on May 2nd by closing auditions for the bass position with ex-HELLFIRE CORNER bassist Mark 'Snake' Luckhurst. THUNDER debuted in a low key fashion on 13th July at Reid's Club in Southend to a paying crowd of just 35 people. This inauspicious start led to a slog across the UK club circuit, opening for acts such as HORSE (LONDON) and even THE GROUNDHOGS. The band's debut album 'Back Street Symphony', recorded in October 1989 and produced by ex-DURAN DURAN guitarist ANDY TAYLOR (who, ironically, had released a solo album titled 'Thunder' in 1987) was issued in April 1990 by EMI in Britain and released through Capitol Records in the America during 1990 but received minimal promotion Stateside. In their home country, 'Back Street Symphony' scored a commendable number 21 on the charts. Nevertheless, THUNDER debuted in America with a performance at the Cathouse Club in New York and, as THUNDER's profile rose in Britain a deal with Geffen Records was negotiated and the company re-launched the debut album in America in 1991with a different sleeve.

Having worked hard throughout 1990 in order to promote the 'Back Street Symphony' album, a record which became one of the biggest UK Rock successes of the year, THUNDER opened the August 'Monsters Of Rock' festival at Castle Donington. The band's UK tour of November 1990 confirmed the grass roots fan base by selling out a three night stint at London's Hammersmith Odeon. 1991 opened in fine THUNDER winning the 'Best new band' readers poll categories in 'Kerrang', 'Metal Hammer' and 'Raw' magazines and making an impression at the 'Great British Music weekend' festival at London's Wembley Arena alongside OZZY OSBOURNE, DAVID COVERDALE, THE QUIREBOYS and MAGNUM. The band returned to the live circuit during the Summer with six shows in Scandinavia supporting ZZ TOP and a festival in Iceland alongside THE QUIREBOYS. During July '91 the band was due to tour America supporting DAVID LEE ROTH and CINDERELLA, but these dates were cancelled due to the headliner's waning popularity. THUNDER made a humourous diversion on 21st June, playing London's Tramshed billed as DANNY & THE DOO WOPS. In August another major festival gig saw the band sharing the billing of the Milton Keynes Bowl 'Big Day Out' with ZZ TOP, BRYAN ADAMS, THE LAW and LITTLE ANGELS.

THUNDER was quick to return to the studio in order to concoct a brand new album release for 1992. The Andy Taylor produced 'Laughing On Judgement Day' album was graced with a sleeve designed by legendary artist Storm Thorgerson, who had been responsible for many of PINK FLOYD's most notable covers. THUNDER opted to promote the album with the downbeat single 'Low Life In High Places' aided by a video which relied on depressingly familiar scenes of the homeless.

In July 1992 THUNDER guested for IRON MAIDEN in South America before returning to Britain for warm up shows prior to their Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' appearance billed aside IRON MAIDEN, SKID ROW and SLAYER. The group then hit Europe before venturing over to Japan to round off a pretty successful year.

Bassist Snake performed his last dates with the band on the trek to Japan during December 1992. He would leave the group in early 1993, a bust-up backstage in Tokyo involving a birthday cake going someway to highlight the problems between the bassist and his band mates at the time.

Snake was eventually replaced by Swedish born Mikael Höglund, previously with the highly regarded GREAT KING RAT. Snake later turned up in 1995 in GANG SHOW, alongside ex-MOTÖRHEAD guitarist WURZEL. Högland made his first public appearance with THUNDER at a personal appearance at Nottingham's Rock City club. Notably, THUNDER opened for DEF LEPPARD at their hometown Don Valley Stadium gig in Sheffield during June.

Sadly, despite quickly finding a replacement for Luckhurst the group's momentum would be severely rocked as THUNDER encountered a great deal of turbulence as Luke Morley became heavily linked to DAVID COVERDALE's new WHITESNAKE project during 1993. Thankfully for the band and its fans, after due consideration, Morley opted to continue with THUNDER. However, this was not before Bowes had aired their differences in public and many thought THUNDER's final hour had come. But in October of 1993 the pair had settled their grievances and the band undertook another old time Rock n' Roll tour of Britain billing themselves DANNY AND THE DOO WOPS.

THUNDER returned to the fore amidst the post Grunge Punk Metal fad by selling out a short British tour in late 1994 and completed another successful British tour in the spring of 1995 with strong support from SKIN and B.L.O.W. as the 'Behind Closed Doors' album hit the stores.

The group spent the summer playing around Europe, with some shows on the same bill with VAN HALEN, BON JOVI and UGLY KID JOE, including dates in Britain, Holland and Denmark.

In early 1996 Harry James was to be found deputising on the drum stool for WATERSHED as THUNDER switched from EMI to Rawpower Records, losing Höglund in the process. The bassist chose to depart the band to spend more time with his family in Sweden. Another blow came in September when Ben Matthews was diagnosed with acute tendonitis and forced to give up guitar playing for a period in order to recover.

The group recorded the ensuing 'The Thrill Of It All' as a quartet (Morley doubled up on bass) and the album provided ample proof that THUNDER had lost none of their songwriting prowess. Subsequent touring proved the band's fan base had remained intact, although the breakthrough in the States still eluded them.

THUNDER made another major mark in the Summer of 1997 with their appearance at the KISS headlined 'summer In The Park' festival. During late 1997 the self-styled cheeky cockney chaps recorded a batch of British shows, with fresh bassist Chris Childs, a veteran of THEN JERICHO, for a projected 1998 live album.

As the millennium dawned it was announced that THUNDER would fold after a swansong Japanese tour. Morley was in the meantime working once again with guitarist ANDY TAYLOR resulting in an EP titled 'The Spanish Sessions'. LUKE MORLEY had his debut solo effort 'El Gringo Retro' released in 2001. THUNDER signed off with characteristic wit courtesy of the album 'They Think It's All Acoustic...It Is Now'.

Both Chris Childs and Harry James would join ex-RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and ALCATRAZZ vocalist GRAHAM BONNET for a proposed British club tour to close out 2001. However, these shows would be cancelled. More encouraging news for THUNDER fans emerged as the year drew to a close when it was revealed Bowes and Morley were working in the studio on a fresh project billed simply as BOWES / MORLEY for the 'Moving Swiftly Along' album. James would be back in the news once again in January 2002, being announced as the new drummer for veteran Brummie Pomp Rockers MAGNUM.

THUNDER would reunite for the ALICE COOPER headed 'The Monsters Of Rock' tour of the UK in November 2002. Both THE QUIREBOYS and DOGS D'AMOUR would be later additions to the roster. Preceding this tour, THUNDER, billed once more as DANNY & THE DOO WOPS, put in a warm up gig at London's Marquee Club. The group made available a four track EP 'Back For The Crack' for these comeback shows. Meantime both James and Childs would also figure as part of the SHADOWMAN band project assembled by HEARTLAND guitarist Steve Morris erstwhile FM and WILDLIFE singer Steve Overland.

THUNDER would be back out for a headline run of UK dates in May of 2003 promoting a new single 'Loser'. An album, 'Shooting At The Sun', emerged in August through the Italian Frontiers label. The band issued a new live record, 'Live At The Bedford Arms' in February of 2004, made available through their own Dodgy Discs label and restricted only to online customers through their website.

Gigs as opening act to DEEP PURPLE in November would be backed by a new single release 'I Love You More Than Rock n' Roll'. This outing came packaged in three formats, all hosting non album tracks. The 2005 album, 'The Magnificent Seventh', notably featured a co-composition with ARGENT man RUSS BALLARD on the track 'One Fatal Kiss'.

Both Chris Childs and Harry James would join DEEP PURPLE keyboard player DON AIREY for a rare solo gig at The Lochgelly Centre Theatre, Fife in Scotland on 14th January. THUNDER's January 2006 UK tour saw support from ROADSTAR and former LITTLE ANGELS frontman TOBY JEPSON.

Harry James featured as part of DEEP PURPLE singer IAN GILLAN's live band for an appearance at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall on 31st March 2006. The show, backed by the SCORPIONS, JUDAS PRIEST and BONED, was held in tribute to the late Radio One DJ Tommy Vance, host of 'The Friday Rock Show' and to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust.

THUNDER bowed out for the second time with an announcement in January 2009 stating "As we enter Thunder's 20th anniversary year, we've found ourselves becoming increasingly busy with our various activities outside of the band, and we've come to the conclusion that there are simply not enough hours in the day to fit it all in. Having discussed it at length, we've decided that this is a fitting time for us to hitch up our wagons and ride into the sunset. We've therefore decided to give you advance notice that we intend to cease all recording and touring activity, as of the summer of 2009."

THUNDER toured Europe in February, Japan in April then the UK in July on a farewell tour. Supports were hand picked to involve LOGAN at Glasgow and Manchester, THE QUIREBOYS in Nottingham and Newcastle, a reformed ELECTRIC BOYS in London and Wolverhampton plus the reformed AIRRACE in Cambridge and Sheffield. Shows at Manchester Academy, Wolverhampton Civic Hall, and London Hammersmith Apollo were recorded for Instant Live albums as a 3 CD digipack entitled '20 Years & Out - The Farewell Tour Live'.