The Music Biz Gets Rough in Thelma and the Sleaze's 'Pain'

Last time we saw superb rock act Thelma and the Sleaze, frontwoman and central player Lauren Gilbert had assembled a stripped-down pickup ensemble to play at a benefit for Jessi Zazu Inc. The unusual set put a spotlight on the breadth and depth of Gilbert's skills as a songwriter and performer, which don't seem to get appreciated as much as the force of her personality. 

A lack of respect is the theme — taken to the extreme — in TATS' music video for a new single called "Pain," which hit the web right after the 4th of July. Directed by frequent Scene and Cream contributor Seth Graves, who also directed the phenomenal TATS documentary Kandyland, the clip begins with Gilbert seemingly being held hostage by a record exec who questions her ability to have a rock ’n' roll career. (Later, he serenades Gilbert with songs that her pained expression leads me to believe are acoustic Owl City covers.) Meanwhile, two other women engage in some creative destruction outside the now-demolished building that was formerly home to Fond Object, including burning up some symbols of patriarchy in the music biz — in the form of records stolen in a heist at The Groove.

The song, which examines the misery that can come with isolation, is a preview of some new TATS material. Gilbert recorded the forthcoming LP Fuck, Marry, Kill here in Nashville and enlisted Detroit's Jim Kissling (whose work you've heard on records by King Tuff and The Dirtbombs, among others) to mix and master the album. It's set to hit streaming platforms on Aug. 2; that's when physical copies will be available for preorder, and those are set for release on Oct. 25. Keep an eye on Thelma and the Sleaze's website for updates on the release and tour dates.