Through the Rain: An Interview with Blind Melon's Christopher Thorn

Blind Melon’s Christopher Thorn Talks Music & Legacy

by Nicole Willis

If you grew up in the 1990s, you’re more than likely familiar with Blind Melon’s breakout song No Rain. The track soared in popularity partially due to its whimsical music video—featuring the now-iconic “Bee Girl”—which received heavy airtime on MTV.

Just as the group began its rise to fame, they were faced with tragedy when lead singer Shannon Hoon passed away at only 28 years old. Following Hoon’s death, the group attempted to continue the band, even holding auditions for a new lead singer, but failed to find a suitable replacement. Ultimately, the group disbanded in 1999.

In 2006, Blind Melon reunited with new lead singer Travis Warren. Today, the band continues to tour with Warren, along with original members guitarist Roger Stevens, guitarist Christopher Thorn, drummer Glen Graham, and bassist Nathan Towne, who joined the group in 2017.

Blind Melon’s first headlining tour since 2019 is currently underway, which includes an upcoming stop at Vinyl Music Hall in downtown Pensacola. We had the opportunity to catch up with Thorn ahead of the band’s upcoming show to discuss some of their latest endeavors, career highlights and how they’ve weathered the highs and lows over the years.

Blind Melon will take the stage at Vinyl Music Hall on August 15 at 8 pm. For tickets and show details, visit vinylmusichall.com. Follow @blindmelonband on Instagram and Facebook for clips, photos and updates on their current tour.

Blind Melon’s sound stood apart in the midst of the ‘90s grunge wave. What influenced your sound and songwriting approach in the band’s early days?

Thorn: I would say absolutely nothing to do with the sound of grunge. I don’t mean it disrespectfully, but my influences were more like Bob Dylan and older artists. I didn’t really have the same guitar sound as all those guys. It’s funny—now, when I hear records from that time, everybody’s pretty darn distorted. I was pretty clean. I just had very different influences than a lot of the influences that formed the grunge sound. I wouldn’t say we had that [grunge sound] in our band, but it was that period of time, so we got lumped in with everybody, but it wasn’t really our thing.

Would you be able to give a little insight into your writing process? What comes first, the riff or the lyrics?

Thorn: Every single thing I’ve written is always on the acoustic. It’s usually sort of a late-night process for me— sitting around with the acoustic and an idea pops up. I also have tons of recordings. Back in the day, I traveled with a cassette recorder. At this point, I always have my phone with me for the little iPhone recordings. Then, if something feels special, I’ll either know it at that moment, or I might know it the next day. For me, really good songs come with a melody, and maybe they have a little spark of a lyric that gets me started.

Between Blind Melon, your other projects and collaborations with other artists over the years, how has your perspective on music changed?

Thorn: When I’m working with people as a producer, I always say, ‘One song can change your life.’ That perspective hasn’t changed. The right song will change everyone’s life in that band and everyone around them. I still have to believe that it’s just about writing a song that connects with people, and that’s the magical part. Sometimes you don’t know why a song is magical and connects with people, but with the process of writing and rewriting, you’re giving yourself your best options to have one of those songs that are a little special. We had No Rain and Change —songs like that just appear.

You’ve had both great successes and devastating losses in this band—what’s kept you grounded throughout your career?

Thorn: My family keeps me grounded. I married my high school sweetheart, so she’s been with me since the early ‘90s when Blind Melon was getting signed. I have a great grounding when it comes to my family, and I would say that’s probably what’s kept me as grounded as I could possibly be in this business.

Is there something that you’re especially proud of from your career with Blind Melon?

Thorn: I’m proud of some of my favorite songs that I wrote with Shannon, like ones from the album Soup, as well as Pull, Paper Scratcher and Drive. I’m proud of those songs that we wrote together and that people still care about—that’s really incredible.

When playing some of the older songs today, do you feel the same way about them emotionally?

Thorn: No, not at all—I feel twice as emotional about them. That’s the truth. The songs that I wrote in my 20s are now twice as emotional to me. I had no idea when I was writing in my 20s that these could be songs that people still want to hear in 35 years. They feel extra special to me now, especially seeing the connection that the audience has with them. I probably took it for granted more in my 20s. Now, I have an incredible feeling of being humbled by the fact that people still care about our songs.

Are there any newer artists that you feel are carrying the torch or that you’re particularly inspired by?

Thorn: I don’t know about carrying on the torch, but I love new music. I’m the biggest Dominic Fike fan. To me, he’s about as good as it gets out there. I also love the band Grouplove. There’s lots of new stuff that I love, and I’m always looking for the new thing that excites me.

With the cultural shift towards ‘90s nostalgia, have you seen a new generation of fans discovering Blind Melon?

Thorn: 100 percent. That’s what we’re seeing at the shows. The other night we played, and I was like, ‘Oh my god. The whole first few rows are all 20 year olds!’ It’s so cool and also incredibly flattering. I’d like to think every new generation gets turned on to the best [artists] of the decade before them. Hopefully, we get to be a part of their discovery.

What can fans expect from a Blind Melon show?

Thorn: We’re out there to have a great time. We’re having fun. You’re having fun. That’s really the only goal. It’s just the exchange of good energy that is in the room. The ultimate goal is to make sure everyone forgets about everything in the universe for the hour and a half that we’re playing for them. Everyone can just escape, and that’s what we’re doing, too. That’s my hope.

Does Blind Melon have any new projects on the horizon?

Thorn: Oh yeah, we have a bunch of new songs. We released a few singles in the last couple of years, and we’re always writing. We’ll wind up releasing a record at some point, I’d like to think, but right now we’ve just been busy on the road.