Brian Stephen: Lead guitar, mandolin, vocals
Brian is the newest member of Thief, which means he is the only member who can count his time in the band in years instead of decades. Brian is also the tallest member of Thief, which really isn’t saying much since that distinction was previously held by the 5’9" keyboard player. Brian’s size lends comic relief to the songs in which he plays the electric mandolin because he looks like a giant playing a very small guitar (or perhaps, like a normal sized person playing a Hard Rock Café guitar pin). When Brian is playing the mandolin and Dave is playing keyboards it always raises that musical question: Which is better, a large man with a small guitar or a small man with a large organ?
Little known fact about Brian: He is a compulsive guitar buyer (actually that’s a well known fact). At last count Brian owned 61,247 guitars, many of which are uniquely shaped and equipped. For example, he has a guitar that is shaped like, and functions as, a frozen margarita machine. He has one shaped like the naked torso of the 2005 Playmate of the Year, which, amazingly, he is able to hold up and play without the use of a guitar strap. He also had a guitar custom-made in his image for those occasions when he wants to play with himself.