Thumb (German hardcore/crossover band)

Thumb was a German alternative metal/nu metal band formed in Gütersloh in 1993. The group disbanded in 2005. The band recorded and copied their first home-made tapes in 1994, and signed with EMI Electrola in March 1995. Their debut album, Thumb, was released in September 1995, and over the next two years they toured in Germany with Bad Religion, Dog Eat Dog, Henry Rollins and Foo Fighters. In January 1997 the group began writing their second album, Exposure, released on 5 May. Thumb also toured in the United States, joining the 1998 Vans Warped Tour to play 13 shows in three weeks. During preparations for their third album in early 2000, guitarist Axel Hilgenstöhler left the band halfway through the year, and was replaced by Axel Pralat. Everything written and recorded up to that point was discarded. Thumb disbanded in 2005. After the split, Steffen Wilmking joined H-Blockx, Jens Gössling is in Taetowier Studio, Jan-Hendrik Meyer is in Hudson, Claus Grabke is in Alternative Allstars, and Axel Pralat is in Waterdown. Axel Pralat – guitar (2000–2005) Jens Gössling – DJ (1994–2005) Steffen Wilmking – drums (1994–2005) Jan-Hendrik Meyer – bass (1994–2005) Claus Grabke – vocals (1994–2005) Axel Hilgenstöhler – guitar (1994–2000) Thumb Released: 1995 (Netherlands) on Spin Records Track listing: All tracks are written by Thumb. Thumb (Encore) Released: 25 July 1996 (Germany) on Spin Records Track listing: All tracks are written by Thumb. Exposure Released: 1 April 1997 (Netherlands, UK, Germany) on Spin Records Released: 23 June 1998 (USA) on Victory Records Track listing: All tracks are written by Thumb. Maximum Exposure Released: 28 November 1997 on Spin Records Track listing: All tracks are written by Thumb. 3 (Three) Released: 2001 (USA) on Victory Records Released: 10 July 2001 (Germany) on EMI Electrola Track listing: All tracks are written by Thumb. "Red Alert" (1995) "No More Blood" (1996) "Red Alert '96" (1996) "Aside" (1996) "Sell Myself" (1997) "Seize The Day" (1997) "Break Me" (1998) "Down Like Me" (2001) "Youth" (2001) "Thumb – Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2025. Thumb by Thumb, retrieved 20 August 2019 "Thumb (2) – Exposure". Discogs. Retrieved 20 August 2019. "Thumb: Exposure CD – Victory Merch". www.victorymerch.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019. "Thumb: Exposure CD – Victory Merch". www.victorymerch.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019. 3 by Thumb, retrieved 20 August 2019