Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With Thirst Trap

Published July 24, 2025
Interview by Meghan Killimade 

Tell us about Thirst Trap! Who are the members and how did you all come together?
Sophie: I'm Sophie Walsh, I play guitar. Bob Bourne and I were jamming then invited Matt Potter (guitar) and Liz Larson Spurr (drums) and they said yes!

How would you describe your music to someone that hasn’t seen you guys play yet?
Sophie: We are like rock...
Liz: Also "Brat Metal" or garage/prog/metal

How did you come up with the name Thirst Trap?
Sophie: We were talking about thirsty people and thought Thirst Trap would be a funny name.
Liz: Yes -- I did not know what a thirst trap was, haha!

You guys are a bit of a “super group” – tell us about some of the other bands you are currently in or have been members of?
Sophie: I'm honored to be part of a super group! I'm the coattail rider, I have only played bass in The Modern Primates for a little bit.
Liz: Honored to be in a supergroup as well. That is super size with extra fries please. I've got a few dozen fans who will agree!
Editors Note: Thirst Trap includes members of The Liz Larsons, Fatal Film, Brazen Hussy, Flesh Hammer, Modern Primates

What’s your songwriting process like? Do you all bring ideas to the group?
Sophie: Liz has written a full song, but most of the songs Bob or I will throw riffs out to each other and then have Matt and Liz play to them and see what they come up with and if they have other parts to complete the song. Matt and Liz have written a lot of the lyrics but Bob has also written some.
Liz: Yes agree, not a shitty answer but a cute one!!
Matt: Our songs are inspired by hot, gay, MAGA sex and Pete Hegseth and I are both power-bottoms…..


What are some bands or musicians that motivate or influence you guys?
Sophie: Musicians/groups that have influenced me or some of the parts I've written are.. Protest The Hero, Talking Heads, Michael Jackson, Circa Survive, Black Dahlia Murder....
Liz: I love the Breeders. Kim Deals' songwriting as well as her consistently spectacular career inspires me to let my little light shine even though it's gotten a lot louder and bitchier as the years go on. As a drummer, I think I'm what the stringed instrument players want to hear, which is maybe support and scaffolding -- a structure that kind of hangs back, so that the gist of the song can come through. The fills and accents can come later in the songwriting process -- dynamics come first. I'm really opinionated, so I try to keep myself out of things until I absolutely have to be involved and then you can't get me to shut up. Tangent? Also love Devo, LeTigre/Bikini Kill/Julie Ruin, Dead Milkmen, Frank Black, Black Sabbath, Sonic Youth, Velvet Underground, Blonde Redhead, Blondie.
Bob: Probably the people that influenced me the most are Kevin Littlefield and Pete Nowakowski of Flesh Hammer. I got asked to join Flesh Hammer right after Pete left. I was 21, and had never really played in a band that played out before. I learned a lot by learning Pete’s songs and playing with Kev and Flesh Hammer. Ten or so years later, I connected with Pete and we did the Modern Primates together. I remember when I first started jamming and hanging w Pete then and I asked him to show me how he played some Hammer tunes I never quite felt comfortable playing. Turned out, I was playing them wrong!! That’s why some of them sounded a little wonky! So yeah, really, all the bands mates I played with definitely influenced me the most -- and learning Pete’s songs, and playing with Kev early on, had a big impact on me.

You mentioned you have been working on some recordings – can we expect a release coming soon?
Sophie: Yes! We have tracked at Rose Hill Station. We have recordings I'm mixing -- we haven't set a release date yet but we are aiming for this year.


If you could bring back one local band that doesn’t exist anymore, who would it be and why?
Liz: I really loved The Battle Cats of New Haven
Bob: There’s so many great local bands of the past we’re fans of! Like, too many to list without fear of forgetting one or 5 of them! I got to see my favorite local bands plenty of times and have great memories attached to them. So for me personally, I’m okay letting those memories stay as great memories. They’re perfect as they are.

You’ve got a bunch of shows coming up – what’s the scoop – tell us about them!
Sophie: We do have shows coming up, we are also willing to play late night food chains.
Bob: We haven’t been playing out much, but if you haven’t caught us, here’s your chance! (See below for all upcoming shows!) On Sunday August 3rd, we’re playing at 33 with Flesh Hammer, to in remembrance of and to celebrate Pete’s birthday. It’s a Sunday show, right on Pete’s bday. Pete passed away a few years ago from cancer, but we miss him. And songs live on, and his playing is a part of mine. It’ll be wonderful for anyone who knew Pete, or saw Flesh Hammer with Pete, to swing on by, and celebrate his birthday and memory with us.

What’s coming next for Thirst Trap? Goals?
Sophie: More shows, more music! 


FOLLOW 


CATCH THE SHOW 

Saturday July 26 @ The Diamond Pizzeria
53 Bank Street, New London
7pm
w/ Ruby Lou (Western MA)

Sun Aug 3 @ 33 Golden 
33 Golden Street, New London
8pm / $10 / 21+

Fri Aug 8 @ Oasis Pub
16 Bank Street, New London
9pm / $10 / 21+


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