Taking stock of the Thieves

"Madison allows a certain amount of freedom in terms of lifestyle - or styles of music you can play and be accepted," Honor Among Thieves bassist Doug DeRosa tells arts and entertainment editor Bill Forman in a feature story on the band. The Thieves' new CD, United Mind Workers, Forman writes, finds the band's off-kilter sensibility and bluesy R&B sound intact, driven by the funky proficiency of drummer Terry Galloway, a former student of Clyde Stubblefield. Guitarist, lead singer and songwriter Andy Ewen's lyrics continue to explore dark, surrealist imagery. ("I think if I were not getting some of these things out in my music, I might be a dangerous person," Ewen confides.) Galloway has since moved on to drum with other local bands; cofounders DeRosa and Ewen continue to anchor Honor Among Thieves, abetted by powerhouse drummer Joey Banks and irrepressible fiddler Randal Harrison.