Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Thermal and a Quarter Confront Lies in Post-Truth World
Thermal and a Quarter is a rock band that has worked together since 1996.
Its new song is called “Lies.”
The song says that people sometimes accept small lies until dishonesty feels normal.
It also criticises powerful leaders who lie and do not admit their mistakes.
The band says the song is meant to make listeners question themselves too.
A filmmaker chose the song for a documentary.
The band members often argue about their music so they can improve it.
They also run a music school that helps students see music as a possible career.
Thermal and a Quarter’s new single “Lies” examines everyday dishonesty and public deception.
Bruce Lee Mani says the song targets leaders who lie, refuse to apologise, and double down.
The track was selected for filmmaker Varun’s documentary The Great Indian Illusion.
The band’s songwriting relies on debate, resistance, and blunt criticism among its members.
TAAQademy expanded music education before moving online during the pandemic, with two centres now reopened.
- Who
- Thermal and a Quarter, including Bruce Lee Mani, Rajeev Rajagopal, and Tony Das.
- What
- The band released the single “Lies,” an examination of everyday dishonesty, political deception, and self-righteousness.
- When
- The band has been working since 1996; the articles do not specify when “Lies” was released.
- Where
- The story is rooted in Bangalore, where the band and TAAQademy developed.
- Why
- The song was written to question how lies become normal in personal life and public leadership.
- Band
- Thermal and a Quarter, also known as TAAQ
- New single
- “Lies”
- Central theme
- Everyday dishonesty, deception, and the post-truth era
- Documentary connection
- The song appears in or was selected for The Great Indian Illusion
- Band founded
- The group has been working together since 1996
- Music school
- TAAQademy began in the early 2000s and later expanded to multiple centres
- Current academy status
- Two TAAQademy centres have reopened after the pandemic, with additional school-based instruction