Thrushes, based in Baltimore, consists of Casey Harvey (guitars, vocals), Anna Conner (guitars, vocals), Rachel Tracy (bass) and Ryan Sterner (drums). The band came together in 2006 and is often tagged as "shoegaze."

"I think 'noise pop' is a much better categorization." says Harvey.

Harvey says the band aims to create emotionally symphonic music in a punk/rock format.

"I'm really big on the spector / girl group sounds, but i come from a punk background so I try to bring some of that to bear. For me, melody trumps all else. I read something somewhere from Matt Kadane (I think) about his band Bedhead," says Harvey. "Something along the lines of having the guitars sound like a string section. I think Thurston Moore said that feedback is sonic blood or something. Both of those sentiments seem very true to what I'm about as a guitarist."

Harvey adds that he has "zero" training on the guitar and so isn't steeped in the usual blues or rock foundation.

"It's more interesting for me to create moods and mini-symphonies. One reviewer said we were like a David Lynch film on record. I like that, that's about as close to the thing I'm after as you're gonna get," says Harvey. "As far as guitar tones, I really like going after some sort of over the top surf / rockabilly sound. Lots of echo & reverb."

To that end he employs a Rickenbacker 330 Deluxe, an American Fender Jaguar and a Fender Classic 50 Esquire with a Bigsby.

"The guitars all have a very specific and distinct sound and cover a really wide range, but they all have a perfect clean tone," says Harvey. "Can't put lipstick on a pig so they say. A good foundation is really important to me, then I can layer in some other stuff. Pedals are just plain fun!"

The pedals Harvey uses in his live set up include a Danelectro Dan Echo, Red Llama Overdrive clone, Death by Audio Interstellar Overdriver, Death by Audio Supersonic Fuzz Gun, Lastgasp Art Laboratories Super Oscillofuzz 88, BYOC Mighty Mouse, Boss RE-20 Space Echo, Dr. Scientist Reverberator, Guyatone Micro Chorus, Diaz Tremodillo and a partridge in a pear tree.

He also uses a 1973 Rickenbacker B212 amp.

The Rickenbacker 330 has been his guitar for some time while the others are relatively new additions.

"The Ric was my only guitar for a while. I got the Jag as a gift and it has really opened up a lot more territory," he says. "Just got the Esquire a few weeks ago. I'm from Jersey and that's Bruce's axe, 'nuff said."

If he is looking for something new it is going to be related to tape echo.

"I'm a big tape echo guy, so the Fulltone tape echo unit is pretty awesome. I'd love to have that, but doesn't seem too practical for gigging for the money. I had been playing some old Roland RE-201's live until BOSS came out with the new pedal version last year," says Harvey. "Not the same, but pretty close. The 201's were just too unreliable. I'd also like to play around with one of those old Tel-Ray oil can delays. That seems pretty neat. Some of the Z.Vex theramin type pedals seem awesome too."

As a confirmed pedal-nut Harvey does have some advice for fellow musicians since he says he "spends way too much money on gear."

"I've limited my live setup to one board (12 pedals) so that helps control the urge for overkill!" he says.

Thrushes have a new video up on YouTube The band also plans to be in the studio working on their new record in the summer. They hope for a winter 2009 release date.