The Horribly Awfuls
Encyclopedia
The Horribly Awfuls are a cowpunk
indie pop band from Winnipeg
, Manitoba
. In four years spanning 2002-2006, they made four full-length records and one EP which is yet to be released. Led by songwriter Gareth Williams
, the Awfuls were arguably the most creative under-the-radar act in Winnipeg's diverse and talented music scene, noted for their loose and rough feel and for Gareth's sweet, witty and evocative lyrics.
Band members changed from project to project, as did their roles in the band, contributing to the always fresh and spontaneous sound that became the Awfuls' calling card. However, the core of the band was made up of Gareth Williams
, Tyler Shipley
(also of The Consumer Goods
) and Matt McLennan
(also of Cone Five
.) No album ever took longer than one studio session to record, and the musicians often wrote their parts on the fly, following Gareth's lead. Ryan McVeigh, who produced four of their five records, was always credited as being part of the band, and his influence can be heard in most of their work, whether literally - his voice urging the band to 'persevere' - or through his unobtrusively sparkling production.
The band was most noted for 2003's "We Fight Like the Crips and Bloods," which featured an ironic cover of Madonna
's 'Like a Virgin
' and a raucous lullabye for Kofi Annan
. It was called "a clever tongue in cheek romp... played by serious musicians whose talent always seems to shine through." The same record was endorsed by award-winning author Miriam Toews
who mentioned the record in an interview with Flare magazine.
Though beginning with the Conifera Records collective, Gareth later founded Grumpy Cloud Records which became the vehicle of choice for all of Gareth's projects as well as those by close friends and collaborators Tyler Shipley
and Matt McLennan
. The band is currently on hiatus, with Gareth having moved to Calgary
, Alberta
, and focusing his efforts on a new project called The Pantymelters. However, there are still plans to release their final EP in 2007.
Guest musicians included Chris Friesen, Breanna Duffill, Andrew McMillan and Craig Mackie.
Cowpunk
Cowpunk or Country punk is a subgenre of punk rock and New Wave that began in the UK and California in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It combines punk rock or New Wave with country music, folk music, and blues in sound, subject matter, attitude, and style...
indie pop band from Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. In four years spanning 2002-2006, they made four full-length records and one EP which is yet to be released. Led by songwriter Gareth Williams
Gareth Williams (musician)
Gareth Williams is a Canadian musician and songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has his name attached to over a dozen records and EPs that were released in the early and mid-2000s. He is known for the mixture of sweetness and darkness that pervades his lyrics.His major project during this...
, the Awfuls were arguably the most creative under-the-radar act in Winnipeg's diverse and talented music scene, noted for their loose and rough feel and for Gareth's sweet, witty and evocative lyrics.
Band members changed from project to project, as did their roles in the band, contributing to the always fresh and spontaneous sound that became the Awfuls' calling card. However, the core of the band was made up of Gareth Williams
Gareth Williams (musician)
Gareth Williams is a Canadian musician and songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has his name attached to over a dozen records and EPs that were released in the early and mid-2000s. He is known for the mixture of sweetness and darkness that pervades his lyrics.His major project during this...
, Tyler Shipley
Tyler Shipley
Tyler Shipley is a songwriter, musician and political activist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is best known for a political pop band called The Consumer Goods who have released three records since 2005, toured across Canada and received critical acclaim in North America and Europe...
(also of The Consumer Goods
The Consumer Goods
The Consumer Goods are a Canadian indie rock/pop band originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their wickedly incisive and politically-charged music has earned both praise and contempt, but rarely disinterest...
) and Matt McLennan
Matt McLennan
Matt McLennan is an Ottawa-based musician and songwriter who grew up in, and retains strong ties to, the indie music scene in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is a member of the Grumpy Cloud Records label collective, and is currently the lead singer and guitarist in Ottawa band use every part of the...
(also of Cone Five
Cone Five
Cone Five was an indie noise-pop band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, active from 1999 to 2006. The band began as a recording project spearheaded by Matt McLennan, Galaxy Jenny, Sean Pauls and Ryan McVeigh...
.) No album ever took longer than one studio session to record, and the musicians often wrote their parts on the fly, following Gareth's lead. Ryan McVeigh, who produced four of their five records, was always credited as being part of the band, and his influence can be heard in most of their work, whether literally - his voice urging the band to 'persevere' - or through his unobtrusively sparkling production.
The band was most noted for 2003's "We Fight Like the Crips and Bloods," which featured an ironic cover of Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's 'Like a Virgin
Like a Virgin (song)
"Like a Virgin" is a song by American singer Madonna from her second album of the same name. It was released on November 6, 1984 by Sire Records, as the first single from the album. The song appears on the greatest hits compilation albums The Immaculate Collection and Celebration...
' and a raucous lullabye for Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
. It was called "a clever tongue in cheek romp... played by serious musicians whose talent always seems to shine through." The same record was endorsed by award-winning author Miriam Toews
Miriam Toews
Miriam Toews is a Canadian writer of Mennonite descent. She grew up in Steinbach, Manitoba and has lived in Montreal and London, before settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She moved to Toronto in 2009....
who mentioned the record in an interview with Flare magazine.
Though beginning with the Conifera Records collective, Gareth later founded Grumpy Cloud Records which became the vehicle of choice for all of Gareth's projects as well as those by close friends and collaborators Tyler Shipley
Tyler Shipley
Tyler Shipley is a songwriter, musician and political activist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is best known for a political pop band called The Consumer Goods who have released three records since 2005, toured across Canada and received critical acclaim in North America and Europe...
and Matt McLennan
Matt McLennan
Matt McLennan is an Ottawa-based musician and songwriter who grew up in, and retains strong ties to, the indie music scene in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is a member of the Grumpy Cloud Records label collective, and is currently the lead singer and guitarist in Ottawa band use every part of the...
. The band is currently on hiatus, with Gareth having moved to Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, and focusing his efforts on a new project called The Pantymelters. However, there are still plans to release their final EP in 2007.
Band members
- Gareth Williams - vocals, guitars, electric drill, power naps, screams, stink organ, sex tambourine
- Matt McLennan - guitars, drums, vocals, bass
- Tyler Shipley - bass, guitars, vocals, keyboards, harmonica, piano
- Ryan McVeigh - production, vocals, fingersnaps,
- Andrew Workman - drums, keyboards, vocals
- Mat Klachefsky - organ, ukelele, vocals
- Kirstie MacLean - keyboards, vocals
- Robin Hillman - drums, tambourine
Guest musicians included Chris Friesen, Breanna Duffill, Andrew McMillan and Craig Mackie.
Discography
- 2006 - The Untimely Death of... (unreleased)
- 2005 - If the Night don't Bite? (Grumpy Cloud)
- 2004 - Le Perve Calamity (Conifera)
- 2003 - We Fight Like the Crips and Bloods (Conifera)
- 2003 - Spring Has Sprung (Grumpy Cloud)