Thrice

Thrice is a rock band from Irvine, California, formed in 1998. The band consists of Dustin Kensrue, Teppei Teranishi, Eddie Breckenridge, and Riley Breckenridge.

Their name originated from an inside joke: A friend bragged about beating the game Frogger twice, to which Dustin Kensrue retorted he had beaten it "thrice." Finding no better options, they used it for their first gig, considering its change with each album for a decade before accepting it.

Initially, their style was marked by fast tempos, complex time signatures, heavy guitars, and screaming, straddling punk and hardcore genres.

Their music style evolved significantly over time, showcasing their versatility as musicians and songwriters by incorporating elements from various genres such as acoustic, electronic, hardcore, punk, grunge, blues, and folk, while maintaining some original elements. Thrice often aligns the lyrical content with the emotional and thematic aspects of their music, with a collaborative songwriting approach.

Early on and up through Alchemy, the lead singer, Dustin Kensrue, penned almost all lyrics, known for their complexity and layered meanings. About his lyrical approach, Kensrue has expressed his desire for music to resonate with people universally and to convey meaningful messages even amid disagreement.

Thrice’s lyrics often have a poetic quality, while others resemble prose essays. Through lyrics and interviews, Kensrue is shown to be an avid reader and thinker. As a Protestant Christian, he draws on biblical themes and quotations, with references to authors like C.S. Lewis (his favorite) and G.K. Chesterton. Kensrue’s lyrics are also inspired by historical figures and events, literature, movies, Greek philosophy, among other sources, with each subject deeply personal to the band.