Thunder: Why we're calling it a day now

Luke and Ben explain why last night's Donington set will be their last - probably

Thunder's Luke Morley and Ben Matthews has told Download FM's Mick Wall exactly why the band are quitting after a 20-year career.

They played Monsters of Rock in 1990 and 1992 and have decided to bow out with a brief UK tour next month - and their Donington set yesterday was their final festival appearance.

With rock music enjoying an obviously massive resurgence at the moment, Thunder's decision to retire is a questionable one - but Matthews has the answer.

He explains: "Danny Bowes, the singer, wants to go off and do other things. We had the choice of whether we carry on with a replacement or put it on ice.

"It wasn't an easy decision to try and find someone to replace him. They'r ebig boots to fill, so we decided to sit back and stop."

Guitarist Luke Morley continues: "We've been going such a long time and one of the strengths of us as a band is we know each other so well, we're all friends. I don't think I have the mental strength to bring somebody new in and start again.

"We've also just done an album we're really habpy with. So there's lots of things pointing at this being the time to stop.

"We have no plans after July - but only a fool would say 'never'."