Today we’d like to introduce you to Heath Thomas.
Heath, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started writing horror shorts at a young age and came from a family with a musical background. From the age of thirteen, I became really serious about playing the guitar and eventually pursued a degree in music at Southeastern University. During my studies, I met drummer and founding member of From the Grave, Dan Anderson. We moved to the woods of Antlers, OK, and wrote what would eventually become our first record, “The Mausoleum.” Eventually, From the Grave relocated to the Texoma area and began cutting their teeth in every nightclub, honky-tonk, theater, and pub across Texas and Oklahoma. After establishing a fan base in southeastern Oklahoma and north Texas, we pooled our resources and headed to Studio 48 Recordings in Atoka, OK. Over the next year, I co-produced with Shannon Raines what would be From the Grave’s first studio album, “The Mausoleum.” After releasing “The Mausoleum” worldwide in 2013, we started touring further and connecting with fans in other states. For the next few years, From the Grave concentrated on live shows and promoting “The Mausoleum.” During this time, I heard about an infamous historical site in Texoma that was known for its paranormal activity. I eventually bought the house and used it as my creative inspiration for what would become “Indian Burial Ground.” I built out a state-of-the-art studio, in which I wrote and produced the second record. In that time, we did release a three-song demo for radio and made two music videos inside the house.
After five years in the making and what seemed like a cursed endeavor at times, we took the master’s to Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios in Pittsburgh, PA, to mix and master. In September 2020, “Indian Burial Ground” was successfully released on CD and vinyl and made available for streaming everywhere. The second album helped From the Grave reach more places by touring and expanding our record sales internationally. The band has enjoyed playing bike rallies, horror conventions, and music festivals but is now currently in the studio recording their third offering, “Mind Over Mountain.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Unfortunately, it has never been a smooth road, but just considering where we came from alone, I can’t feel anything but thankful now. One of the best compliments we have ever received and one we hear at every live show. It is also similar to the challenge we faced right off the bat, being from the country/red dirt-saturated scene of the south. “It’s heavy, but you guys have a sound of your own,” or “Your sound is unique; we can’t put our finger on it; we like it, but you can’t play here!” It was hard to get a paying gig, let alone book a tour with the name From the Grave, in those days. We would make a door deal with club owners and the local theaters to let us bring the sound, lights, crew, put together a bill, and, of course, bring the show. After that, almost every time, we would have support from that venue. At the time, being a heavy metal band or anything unique that was the only way to build rapport with popular venues. Of course, we’ve overcome the common rock-n-roll cliches with putting our music first, but still, we have weathered many liars, thieves, and all the in-betweens the music scene has brought with it. I think all musicians would agree that the pandemic was a huge obstacle that we are still feeling the effects of. Live music was the business that took the worst hit and was last in line for any type of assistance. Especially in a time where the new generation has been spoon-fed to believe art and music should be free through streaming, we have lost the magic and soul of making great records with even greater meanings that stand the test of time. We wave that flag; it will always be about the soul of rock n roll, tube amps from the 70s, and a real live performance—no trickery, all soul.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a lyricist, composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and producer. I have always thought that the artwork that goes with the album is just as important as the message. The music has blessed me with the ability to work with a few artists that I hold in high regard, let alone collaborate and become great friends. Sticking to our roots, seeing those first two albums released, and following the path we started on.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Play live. Get out there in front of every crowd that you can. In this age of social media, don’t listen to the naysayers, don’t live off the comments, remember why you’re doing this in the first place, and go for it. Leave everyone else behind who is not with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fromthegraveband.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthegrave_official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromthegraveband/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/fromthegravemusic
- Other: https://linktr.ee/fromthegravemusic
Image Credits
Zoë Peck
Malinda Wheeler
Mark Bickham
