Jim Creeggan
Encyclopedia
James Raymond Creeggan, better known as Jim Creeggan (born February 12, 1970, in Scarborough, Ontario
), is the bassist
for Canadian band Barenaked Ladies
(BNL). His most used double bass is named "Grammah", after the Ladies' tour manager nicknamed him "Grampah" for always complaining and not wanting to get up.
since he was in school. He was a member of a variety of school bands, as well as local youth symphony groups. He also attended the University of Toronto
for bass performance, though he did not complete a degree. Creeggan, along with his brother Andy
, was invited to play with Ed Robertson
and Steven Page
(then performing as Barenaked Ladies as a duo) at a Christmastime show in Toronto
, and the pair was asked to join the band permanently. Creeggan has been with the band ever since, while his brother left the band in 1995. He and Andy formed a group together named The Brothers Creeggan
before Andy left BNL. They continued to play following his departure, and went on a hiatus in the early 2000s.
Creeggan's musical trademark is being one of the few modern rock musicians who regularly plays a double bass, both bowed
and pizzicato
. He has also played Electric double bass
(including a Zeta bass circa Maybe You Should Drive
, and a couple Ned Steinbergers later on), and bass guitar
for BNL. He won the 1999 best male bassist award from the Gibson Guitar Corporation
. He uses a French bow for his double bass. He has occasionally played guitar
on some Barenaked Ladies songs; mainly on songs which he sings lead (though he also plays bass on some of those). Creeggan has also contributed to albums with each of the other members of the violin family
, and has orchestrated musical charts for various band instruments to be recorded by session musicians.
Creeggan made minor contributions to the writing of the band's first two albums, in the form of several co-writes. His first major songs contributed to an album was for the band's third release, 1996's Born on a Pirate Ship
, which featured both "Spider In My Room" and "In The Drink" — two songs written exclusively by Creeggan, and both with him on lead vocals. He would record another song, "Inline Bowline" for 2000's Maroon, but the track was left off the album (later released as a b-side/bonus track). The band instituted a new, more open writing process for their next album, and several of Creeggan's song ideas were expanded into songs featured on 2003's Everything to Everyone
. 2004's Barenaked for the Holidays
featured a holiday tune, "Christmas Pics", sung by Creeggan, and 2006's Barenaked Ladies Are Me
features Creeggan singing lead on "Peterborough and the Kawarthas", among other Creeggan co-written songs included. The band's 2008 children's album, Snacktime!
features Creeggan co-writes "Louis Loon" and "Pollywog In A Bog", the latter of which he sang.
In their first show since the 2009 departure of Steven Page
from the band, Creeggan took over some of Page's harmony vocals, and his lead vocals on the song "Maybe Katie"; a song Creeggan originated with vocals split between Page and Robertson.
Creeggan has played bass as a guest on a number of albums; mostly of Canadian artists. He also commonly joins artists opening for Barenaked Ladies who do not play with a full band on the bass. He has done this on the band's Ships and Dip cruises as well.
He enjoys yoga, and has practiced it on tour before. Creeggan also enjoys using bicycles as transportation in the city.
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
), is the bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for Canadian band Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
(BNL). His most used double bass is named "Grammah", after the Ladies' tour manager nicknamed him "Grampah" for always complaining and not wanting to get up.
Early life
Creeggan's mother taught piano lessons to neighborhood children, which Creeggan credits as part of the reason for his interest in music.Career
Creeggan has played the double bassDouble bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
since he was in school. He was a member of a variety of school bands, as well as local youth symphony groups. He also attended the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
for bass performance, though he did not complete a degree. Creeggan, along with his brother Andy
Andy Creeggan
Andy Creeggan is the former Piano player, percussionist and occasional guitarist for the Canadian pop band, Barenaked Ladies, from 1990–95...
, was invited to play with Ed Robertson
Ed Robertson
Lloyd Edward Elwyn Robertson , better known as Ed Robertson, is the Canadian lead singer, as well as a guitarist and songwriter in the band, Barenaked Ladies...
and Steven Page
Steven Page
Steven Jay Page , is a Canadian musician. Along with Ed Robertson, he was a founding member, lead singer, guitarist, and a primary songwriter of the music group Barenaked Ladies ; he left the band in 2009 to pursue a solo career....
(then performing as Barenaked Ladies as a duo) at a Christmastime show in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, and the pair was asked to join the band permanently. Creeggan has been with the band ever since, while his brother left the band in 1995. He and Andy formed a group together named The Brothers Creeggan
The Brothers Creeggan
The Brothers Creeggan is a Canadian alternative rock/jazz band composed of Jim Creeggan , Andy Creeggan and Ian McLauchlan...
before Andy left BNL. They continued to play following his departure, and went on a hiatus in the early 2000s.
Creeggan's musical trademark is being one of the few modern rock musicians who regularly plays a double bass, both bowed
Bow (music)
In music, a bow is moved across some part of a musical instrument, causing vibration which the instrument emits as sound. The vast majority of bows are used with string instruments, although some bows are used with musical saws and other bowed idiophones....
and pizzicato
Pizzicato
Pizzicato is a playing technique that involves plucking the strings of a string instrument. The exact technique varies somewhat depending on the type of stringed instrument....
. He has also played Electric double bass
Electric upright bass
The electric upright bass is an electronically amplified version of the double bass that has a minimal or 'skeleton' body, which greatly reduces the size and weight of the instrument. The EUB retains enough of the features of the double bass so that double bass players are comfortable performing...
(including a Zeta bass circa Maybe You Should Drive
Maybe You Should Drive
- Singles :* "Jane"** Released: 1994** Formats: CD, cassette* "Alternative Girlfriend"** Released: 1995** Formats: CD- Charts :Album...
, and a couple Ned Steinbergers later on), and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
for BNL. He won the 1999 best male bassist award from the Gibson Guitar Corporation
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
. He uses a French bow for his double bass. He has occasionally played guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on some Barenaked Ladies songs; mainly on songs which he sings lead (though he also plays bass on some of those). Creeggan has also contributed to albums with each of the other members of the violin family
Violin family
The violin family of musical instruments was developed in Italy in the sixteenth century. The standard modern violin family consists of the violin, viola, cello, and double bass....
, and has orchestrated musical charts for various band instruments to be recorded by session musicians.
Creeggan made minor contributions to the writing of the band's first two albums, in the form of several co-writes. His first major songs contributed to an album was for the band's third release, 1996's Born on a Pirate Ship
Born on a Pirate Ship
Born on a Pirate Ship is the third full-length album by Barenaked Ladies. Its well-known tracks are "Shoe Box", "The Old Apartment", "When I Fall" and "Break Your Heart." "The Old Apartment" would become BNL's first US hit in 1997 and began the process of winning many new American fans.This was...
, which featured both "Spider In My Room" and "In The Drink" — two songs written exclusively by Creeggan, and both with him on lead vocals. He would record another song, "Inline Bowline" for 2000's Maroon, but the track was left off the album (later released as a b-side/bonus track). The band instituted a new, more open writing process for their next album, and several of Creeggan's song ideas were expanded into songs featured on 2003's Everything to Everyone
Everything to Everyone
Everything to Everyone is the sixth full-length original-material studio album by Barenaked Ladies. It was released in 2003 and was produced by Ron Aniello. Singles from the album include "Another Postcard", "Testing 1, 2, 3", "For You", "Celebrity" and "Maybe Katie"...
. 2004's Barenaked for the Holidays
Barenaked for the Holidays
Barenaked for the Holidays is a full-length holiday-themed album released by Canadian band Barenaked Ladies on October 5, 2004. The album includes Christmas and Hanukkah songs as well as "Auld Lang Syne", which is traditionally sung on New Year's Eve. There are also several songs that are simply...
featured a holiday tune, "Christmas Pics", sung by Creeggan, and 2006's Barenaked Ladies Are Me
Barenaked Ladies Are Me
Barenaked Ladies Are Me is the seventh full-length original-material studio album by Barenaked Ladies. It was their first original-material album since 2003's Everything to Everyone. It was released in September 2006 internationally...
features Creeggan singing lead on "Peterborough and the Kawarthas", among other Creeggan co-written songs included. The band's 2008 children's album, Snacktime!
Snacktime!
Snacktime! is the debut children's album by Canadian band Barenaked Ladies released on May 6, 2008. A companion book was written with artwork by multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hearn, who also contributed artwork for the album. It is the final Barenaked Ladies album to include Steven Page, who departed...
features Creeggan co-writes "Louis Loon" and "Pollywog In A Bog", the latter of which he sang.
In their first show since the 2009 departure of Steven Page
Steven Page
Steven Jay Page , is a Canadian musician. Along with Ed Robertson, he was a founding member, lead singer, guitarist, and a primary songwriter of the music group Barenaked Ladies ; he left the band in 2009 to pursue a solo career....
from the band, Creeggan took over some of Page's harmony vocals, and his lead vocals on the song "Maybe Katie"; a song Creeggan originated with vocals split between Page and Robertson.
Creeggan has played bass as a guest on a number of albums; mostly of Canadian artists. He also commonly joins artists opening for Barenaked Ladies who do not play with a full band on the bass. He has done this on the band's Ships and Dip cruises as well.
Personal life
Creeggan married his wife Anna in 2003. They have one son, Finnian Davies Creeggan, and a daughter named Chloe was born in October 2007. They live in the Trinity-Bellwoods neighborhood of Toronto.He enjoys yoga, and has practiced it on tour before. Creeggan also enjoys using bicycles as transportation in the city.