About The James Thom Thing

In this day and age how difficult is it to keep an
ALL original band together among tribute after
tribute bands competing to perform live to
showcase their material.
When the usual question becomes “How many seats can you fill”?
The band resorts to the last vestige of trying to attain recognition by recording
and promoting their songs on social media platforms i.e. You Tube & Facebook.
Meet a band that continues to keep the faith , The James Thom Thing (Formerly
The Fanatics).
Here is their story.
Bio: THE JAMES THOM THING
The Fanatics were a 5 piece band from Hicksville, NY 1979-1982.
Founded by singer/songwriter Tom Cafiero (AKA James Thom), vocals, guitar, keyboards
Rob Plotsky, vocals and lead guitar,

Rich Booge (Hanson) on bass,
Curt Fitzgerald, drums and Lee Krichmar guitar.
Their debut single E.P. featuring "Magazine Woman",
Barbed Wire" and "Dr Nylon" was released nationally in
1980 and appeared on many college and east coast
radio charts ,including Long Islands renowned station,
WLIR, as contender for their “Screamer of the Week”.
The song “Barbed Wire” was featured on Radio station WBAB first “Homegrown “LP.
They appeared at many top NYC venues such as CBGB's, Max's Kansas City,Bonds, Trax and My Fathers Place.
At this time they were featured on the cult
favorite TV show, “The Uncle Floyd Show”
They were also appeared as opening acts for Joan Jett, Oingo Boingo, The Teardrop Explode,and Johnny Winter
They became a 4 piece band in 1982, ( Plotsky being replaced )
with Ralph Domininci, and shortly after Krichmars departure.
That particular line up becomes James Thom (Cafiero) and The Fanatics.

Their 1985 33 rpm E.P. "Everything Right Goes Wrong", "I Can't Control Myself, and "End Game" was released
internationally in 1985.
Rob Plotsky returned as guitarist in 1993 joining original members
James Thom ( Cafiero), and Rich Hanson (Booge) after
Fitzgeralds departure and the three were now known as "The James Thom Thing."
The "Thing" released a 14 song CD "What Is This Thing Called Tom?" in 1998 and appeared on many independent
and top 40 charts in 1999, with the single
"The Canvas That We Weave”, reaching # 9 in Hawaii, on the Adult Contemporary Charts.
The James Thom Thing continue to be "Fanatics"
and release their ear catching eclectic original songs/videos independently through many digital platforms.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lENcaEhmLgDvSNNLXxKjr?%0Asi=iNtI7rYASyy9lOh3cmr61A