The band's sound has been described as "inspired by classic American pop of the late '60s and early '70s" by Rovi[1] and "an ocean-soaked, harmony-heavy homage to California's dreamy dreams, shaking ground, and unrelenting sunshine" by Pitchfork Media.

In 1999, the band spent four months living in San Diego,[3] during which time they wrote several of the tracks that would eventually appear on their debut album So Much for the City (such as "One Horse Town").

[4][5] The relationship with Supremo produced no releases and was short-lived; when they were dropped by the label several months later, the band members pointedly chose not to inform their parents.

The second demo made a favourable impression on Johnny Davis of Bright Star Recordings and BMG Publishing.

[8] The album was nominated for the 2003 Mercury Prize but lost to Dizzee Rascal's 'Boy in da Corner'.

The band performed a medley[12] of songs from the album on the U.S. television series The OC in the episode entitled "The Ex-Factor".

"[14] More new material was written, including "Midnight Choir" which became the opening track for Teenager and was also released as a single.

[20] A special CD/DVD edition of Teenager – which contained a film-length documentary about the band entitled The Thrills: The End of Innocence – was given limited release in the UK only.

[22][23] In an August 2010 interview with the Irish Times, Ben Carrigan confirmed that the Thrills remain on indefinite hiatus.

[23] At the time, Carrigan was working on his debut solo record entitled The Greatest Narrators, which was released on 23 September 2011.

"[25] During an interview with Hot Press in late October 2011 Carrigan stated: "It's like a past life now, the whole Thrills thing, to be honest.

[28] Kevin Horan would join Little Green Cars as a touring member [29] with Daniel Ryan as their manager.