San Diego Reader

Brian Sykes: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) | Jamin Hazelaar: Vocals

Genre: Reggae & Ska, Rock

RIYL: Sublime, Perro Bravo, Long Beach Dub All-Stars

Upcoming Local Shows

• 710 Beach Club — Saturday, June 9, 9pm

Related Links:

• Blurt: "Into the Thick" · Aug. 24, 2006

Synoposis

Influences: Sublime, Divided by Zero, the Aggrolites, Stone Senses, Pepper, Delerium

Background:

Thicker Than Thieves is a horn-driven rock band heavily influenced by Sublime. Guitarist Brian Sykes is from Humboldt County. Cutting their teeth while playing high profile events like Reggae on the River and the Warped tour, the band turned up often at local venues, until a summer 2006 event that soured them on San Diego.

“My girlfriend and I were still in bed when around twenty cops came busting in full-force with guns and a search warrant,” says singer Jamin Hazelaar of the 7:00 a.m. raid on his Alpine home. “They didn’t knock.”

“I was read my rights in my boxer shorts...It was pretty scary. They took me to the Vista jail and charged me with cultivation, possession, and intent to sell [marijuana]. Because they put a bail-hold on me, I ended up spending five days in jail.”

“I had a lot of time to reflect on the things that should never have distracted me from my music,” says Hazelaar, who was 33 years old at the time. “My parents put up my bail money and got me out. Now, I’m just trying to save my house and my property and my life.”

The band subsequently relocated from San Diego to Costa Rica.