Wild Colonials
Encyclopedia
Wild Colonials are an American
alternative rock
band
formed in Los Angeles
, California
in 1992 (see 1992 in music
) by Angela McCluskey
(vocals), Shark
(guitar/vocals/percussion), Paul Cantelon
(violin/piano), Scott Roewe (multi-instrumentalist) and Ian Bernard (drums/percussion). After 1993 members included Thaddeus Corea and Jason Payne on drums/percussion and Skip Ward on Bass.
had gathered together a group of fellow musicians to arrange a “musical evening” to showcase her friend/guitarist Shark
, who had recently relocated to Los Angeles from New York. Brought aboard were Paul Cantelon
, on violin and piano; Scott Roewe, on bass, keyboards, and saxophone; and Ian Bernard (drums/percussion) and other revolving special guests. The “musical evening” evolved into a regular gig from the group soon to be known as Wild Colonials - named after the Irish song “Wild Colonial Boy.” Also joining in with the ever changing line up of guests included Dave King (Flogging Molly
), Vivian Campbell
(Def Leppard
), and several members of the Hothouse Flowers
and Leonard Cohen
's touring band.
From Café Beckett the group developed a large following, performing regularly at Molly Malones, an Irish pub in Los Angeles, and then moving to Café Largo a larger venue in West Hollywood. With a Tuesday night residency that lasted several months the buzz that developed in the LA music scene procured the Wild Colonials a record deal with DGC/Geffen Records. Fruit of Life
(1994) and This Can’t Be Life
(1996) were both released to critical acclaim, landing the group as the second stage headliner on the prestigious Lilith Fair
lineup in 1997. Over that time, Wild Colonials–either as a group or as individual artists - have lent their musical talents to the great art of film - a collection of unreleased tracks, soundtrack only tracks and score cues was collected to make up their third album "Reel Life vol 1
" (2000) (released through indie label Chromatic Records).
The band's fourth album will be released as four separate EPs under the umbrella name Life As We Know It
(UMe/Universal). This is the first time that a multiple single/EP release has been released by a major label.
The band members have a number of connections to other celebrities and musicians: Thaddeus Corea is the son of pianist/composer Chick Corea
, violinist Paul Cantelon is the brother in law of American singer Rickie Lee Jones
, and vocalist Angela McCluskey is British singer Lily Allen
's Godmother.
Three members of the band, Shark
, Paul Cantelon
and Scott Roewe have all scored feature length films.
was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award
for Best Dance Recording for the International hit "Breathe". The Grammy went to Kylie Minogue
for "Come Into My World".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
formed in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1992 (see 1992 in music
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
) by Angela McCluskey
Angela McCluskey
Angela McCluskey is a Scottish singer-songwriter based in California. She performs as a solo artist and as a member of the folk rock group, Wild Colonials. McCluskey has also provided vocals for Curio and recorded the European dance hit and US Mitsubishi commercial hit "Breathe" among other songs...
(vocals), Shark
Shark (musician)
Shark, a Los Angeles-based musician, film composer, radio host, and is a founding member and guitarist for American alternative band Wild Colonials. He also records under the name Shark and Co..-Big Bam Boo:...
(guitar/vocals/percussion), Paul Cantelon
Paul Cantelon
Paul Cantelon Paul Cantelon Paul Cantelon (born December 25, 1959 is an American composer of contemporary classical music, a film score composer and an actor He is also a violinist, pianist, and accordionist, who is also a founding member of American alternative band Wild Colonials....
(violin/piano), Scott Roewe (multi-instrumentalist) and Ian Bernard (drums/percussion). After 1993 members included Thaddeus Corea and Jason Payne on drums/percussion and Skip Ward on Bass.
Biography
Formed in early 1992 as an impromptu jam session at an Irish coffee house in Hollywood called Café Beckett. Singer Angela McCluskeyAngela McCluskey
Angela McCluskey is a Scottish singer-songwriter based in California. She performs as a solo artist and as a member of the folk rock group, Wild Colonials. McCluskey has also provided vocals for Curio and recorded the European dance hit and US Mitsubishi commercial hit "Breathe" among other songs...
had gathered together a group of fellow musicians to arrange a “musical evening” to showcase her friend/guitarist Shark
Shark (musician)
Shark, a Los Angeles-based musician, film composer, radio host, and is a founding member and guitarist for American alternative band Wild Colonials. He also records under the name Shark and Co..-Big Bam Boo:...
, who had recently relocated to Los Angeles from New York. Brought aboard were Paul Cantelon
Paul Cantelon
Paul Cantelon Paul Cantelon Paul Cantelon (born December 25, 1959 is an American composer of contemporary classical music, a film score composer and an actor He is also a violinist, pianist, and accordionist, who is also a founding member of American alternative band Wild Colonials....
, on violin and piano; Scott Roewe, on bass, keyboards, and saxophone; and Ian Bernard (drums/percussion) and other revolving special guests. The “musical evening” evolved into a regular gig from the group soon to be known as Wild Colonials - named after the Irish song “Wild Colonial Boy.” Also joining in with the ever changing line up of guests included Dave King (Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...
), Vivian Campbell
Vivian Campbell
Vivian Patrick Campbell is a Northern Irish rock guitarist who is a member of Def Leppard and was, from May 2010 to November 2011, a member of Thin Lizzy. Prior to joining Def Leppard in April 1992, he had been a member of Whitesnake, Sweet Savage, Trinity, Riverdogs, and Shadow King...
(Def Leppard
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
), and several members of the Hothouse Flowers
Hothouse Flowers
The Hothouse Flowers are an Irish rock group that combines traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock.-Career:The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin,Ireland as "The...
and Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
's touring band.
From Café Beckett the group developed a large following, performing regularly at Molly Malones, an Irish pub in Los Angeles, and then moving to Café Largo a larger venue in West Hollywood. With a Tuesday night residency that lasted several months the buzz that developed in the LA music scene procured the Wild Colonials a record deal with DGC/Geffen Records. Fruit of Life
Fruit of Life
Fruit of Life is the debut album for American Alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 1994 .- Details :Fruit of Life features some of Wild Colonials' more popular early songs, including first single "Spark", "Victim" and "Rainbow." Most of the songs on the album were recorded during a single...
(1994) and This Can’t Be Life
This Can’t Be Life
This Can't Be Life is the second album for American Alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 1996 .- Details :This Can't Be Life features a more Rock-oriented sound than their first more acoustic debut Fruit of Life. This update in sound and volume was due to the band touring extensively the...
(1996) were both released to critical acclaim, landing the group as the second stage headliner on the prestigious Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair was a concert tour and travelling music festival, founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, Nettwerk Music Group's Dan Fraser and Terry McBride, and New York talent agent Marty Diamond. It took place during the summers of 1997 to 1999, and was revived in the summer of 2010. It...
lineup in 1997. Over that time, Wild Colonials–either as a group or as individual artists - have lent their musical talents to the great art of film - a collection of unreleased tracks, soundtrack only tracks and score cues was collected to make up their third album "Reel Life vol 1
Reel Life vol 1
Reel Life, Vol. 1 is a compilation album by American alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 2000 .- Details :Reel Life, Vol. 1 is a compilation featuring songs and score cues recorded and composed for various films. Over the previous six years since their debut album Fruit of Life in 1994,...
" (2000) (released through indie label Chromatic Records).
The band's fourth album will be released as four separate EPs under the umbrella name Life As We Know It
Life As We Know It EP 1/4
Life As We Know It is the first of four EPs by the American Alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 2007 .- Details :...
(UMe/Universal). This is the first time that a multiple single/EP release has been released by a major label.
The band members have a number of connections to other celebrities and musicians: Thaddeus Corea is the son of pianist/composer Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...
, violinist Paul Cantelon is the brother in law of American singer Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones is an American vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer. Over the course of a three-decade career, Jones has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, blues, pop, soul, and jazz standards.-Childhood:...
, and vocalist Angela McCluskey is British singer Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
's Godmother.
Music in film
Wild Colonials music has appeared in over thirty different films from Disney’s Mr. Wrong, to the quirky Indie sensation Flirting With Disaster and the Sundance Film Festival hit Dead Man’s Curve.Three members of the band, Shark
Shark (musician)
Shark, a Los Angeles-based musician, film composer, radio host, and is a founding member and guitarist for American alternative band Wild Colonials. He also records under the name Shark and Co..-Big Bam Boo:...
, Paul Cantelon
Paul Cantelon
Paul Cantelon Paul Cantelon Paul Cantelon (born December 25, 1959 is an American composer of contemporary classical music, a film score composer and an actor He is also a violinist, pianist, and accordionist, who is also a founding member of American alternative band Wild Colonials....
and Scott Roewe have all scored feature length films.
- The song "Blue" appeared in the movie "Dead Man's CurveDead Man's Curve"Dead Man's Curve" is the unofficial but commonly used name given to hazardous curves on Interstate Highways and other roads in the United States that have claimed lives because of accidents.-Cleveland Innerbelt:...
" and the film "Anarchy TVAnarchy TVAnarchy TV is a 1998 low budget, independent comedy film. It was directed by Jonathan Blank, and features Alan Thicke, Jessica Hecht, Jonathan Penner, Tamayo Otsuki, and Ahmet, Dweezil, Diva and Moon Unit Zappa...
". - The song "Victim" appeared in the movie"The Last Supper"and the short film The Yard Sale.
- The song “Wake Up Sad (remix)” appeared in the movie "Dead Man's CurveDead Man's Curve"Dead Man's Curve" is the unofficial but commonly used name given to hazardous curves on Interstate Highways and other roads in the United States that have claimed lives because of accidents.-Cleveland Innerbelt:...
". - The Wild Colonials version of Tom JonesTom Jones (singer)Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
' "It's Not Unusual" appeared in the movie "Mr. Wrong" - The song "Evil" appeared in the movie "The Motorcycle Gang (Rebel Highway)".
- The song "This Misery" appeared in the movie "Unhook The StarsUnhook the StarsUnhook the Stars is a 1996 drama film starring Gena Rowlands, Marisa Tomei, and Gerard Depardieu. The movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes, son of Gena Rowlands. Rowlands and Tomei both received SAG Award nominations for their performances...
". - The song "RollerCoaster" appeared in the movie "I'll Take You ThereI'll Take You There"I'll Take You There" is a number-one single written and produced by Al Bell and performed by soul/gospel family band The Staple Singers, released on Stax Records in February 1972...
". - The song "Love®" appeared in the movie "Cosa Bella".
- The Wild Colonials version of Leonard CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
's "Dance Me To The End Of Love" appeared in the movie "Chromophobia" - The song "Cure" appears in the television movie Cabin by the LakeCabin by the LakeCabin by the Lake is a black comedy/horror TV movie released in 2000. It tells the story of Stanley, played by Judd Nelson, a script writer who begins killing girls for research for a movie he is writing, where the villain does the same thing.-Plot:...
and its sequel. - The songs "Rainbow" and "If By Chance" (a duet with Cyndi Lauper) appears in the movie soundtrack for "Southie".
- The song "Heaven & Hell 2010" appears in the movie "Conviction".
Discography
- Fruit of LifeFruit of LifeFruit of Life is the debut album for American Alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 1994 .- Details :Fruit of Life features some of Wild Colonials' more popular early songs, including first single "Spark", "Victim" and "Rainbow." Most of the songs on the album were recorded during a single...
(1994) - This Can’t Be LifeThis Can’t Be LifeThis Can't Be Life is the second album for American Alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 1996 .- Details :This Can't Be Life features a more Rock-oriented sound than their first more acoustic debut Fruit of Life. This update in sound and volume was due to the band touring extensively the...
(1996) - Reel Life vol 1Reel Life vol 1Reel Life, Vol. 1 is a compilation album by American alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 2000 .- Details :Reel Life, Vol. 1 is a compilation featuring songs and score cues recorded and composed for various films. Over the previous six years since their debut album Fruit of Life in 1994,...
(2000) - Life As We Know It EP 1/4Life As We Know It EP 1/4Life As We Know It is the first of four EPs by the American Alternative band Wild Colonials, released in 2007 .- Details :...
(2007)
Awards
Vocalist Angela McCluskey as co-writer/guest vocalist with French Electronica band TélépopmusikTélépopmusik
Télépopmusik is a French electronic music trio, composed of Fabrice Dumont , Stephan Haeri , and Christophe Hetier....
was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Dance Recording for the International hit "Breathe". The Grammy went to Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
for "Come Into My World".
External links
- Wild Colonials Wild Colonials official website
- Wild Colonials at MySpace
- Angela McCluskey Angela McCluskey's official website
- SharkandCo Shark's official website