The Brothers Creeggan
The Brothers Creeggan is a Canadian alternative rock/jazz band composed of Jim Creeggan (upright bass, guitar, bass guitar, vocals), Andy Creeggan (guitar, piano, accordion, percussion, vocals) and Ian McLauchlan (drums). The group has released four albums: The Brothers Creeggan (1993), The Brothers Creeggan II (1997), Trunks (2000) and Sleepyhead (2002).
The Brothers Creeggan | |
---|---|
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | Alternative rock, jazz |
Years active | 1992 | –present
Associated acts | Barenaked Ladies |
Members | Andy Creeggan Jim Creeggan |
Past members | Ian McLauchlan |
Biography
Growing up in Toronto, brothers Jim and Andy Creeggan started in music by recording cover songs of James Brown and George Thorogood on a rented 4-track.[1] As teenagers, the pair performed in several groups, including the Synthetics, an a cappella quartet that won a 1987 Canadian talent contest in which Alanis Morissette was runner-up.[2] The brothers went on to become founding members of Barenaked Ladies.[2] Andy left Barenaked Ladies in 1995 to pursue a musical composition degree at McGill University, while Jim continued as the band's bassist.[3][4]
The Brothers Creeggan released their self-titled debut album in 1993. The song "Places" features backing vocals by Alanis Morissette.[5] The album "was almost a demo thing," according to Andy. "We finished it up and sent it to some friends."[6] A second album, The Brothers Creeggan II, followed in 1997. Three years later, the duo added a third member, drummer Ian McLauchlan, and released their third album, Trunks.[1] Andy said the album was "definitely a natural evolution from the first two albums," as the songs on Trunks "were more accessible and more continuous to each other."[6] Jane Stevenson of Jam! called the album "a delicate and sweet-sounding effort that combines the best of folk and jazz with gentle lead vocals from both Jim and Andy."[7] Allmusic's Theresa E. LaVeck described it as "an extended evening lullaby: soft, sweet, and sleepy (think Simon & Garfunkel lite)."[8]
The group's fourth album, Sleepyhead, was released on Nettwerk in 2002. Barenaked Ladies member Ed Robertson and singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer guest on album track "Anna on the Moon".[9] Tom Semioli of Allmusic said that with the album, "the Brothers Creeggan have slipped a contemplative masterpiece into our midst."[10]
On 13 July 2009, drummer Ian McLauchlan died [11] from complications following heart surgery in Toronto.
Discography
Title | Release date |
---|---|
The Brothers Creeggan | 1995 |
The Brothers Creeggan II | October 1997 |
Trunks | 18 January 2000 |
Sleepyhead | 2002 |
References
- MacNeil, Jason. "The Brothers Creeggan – Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Soeder, John (8 May 1998). "Event: Brothers Creeggan – Monday". The Plain Dealer. p. 13 ('Friday' section).
- Hucke, Erin. "The Brothers Creeggan – Biography". PopMatters. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Harrington, Richard (18 February 2000). "Review: The Brothers Creeggan – 'Trunks' – Fat Chicken". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Robbins, Ira A. (1997). The Trouser Press Guide to 90's Rock (5th ed.). New York: Fireside Books. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-684-81437-7.
- Brown, Mark (9 February 2000). "Partially Clad Two-Fifths of Original Barenaked Ladies Put On Some 'Trunks'". Rocky Mountain News. p. 11D.
- Stevenson, Jane (16 January 2000). "Album Review: The Brothers Creeggan – 'Trunks'". Jam! (Quebecor Media). Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- LaVeck, Theresa E. "The Brothers Creeggan – Review – 'Trunks'". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- Kisliuk, Bill (July 2002). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly. College Media Inc. 1 (103): 48. ISSN 1074-6978.
- Semioli, Tom. "The Brothers Creeggan – Review – 'Sleepyhead'". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- McLauchlan, Ian. "Ian Andrew MCLAUCHLAN". Retrieved 12 July 2020.
External links
- The Brothers Creeggan Official Website
- CanadianBands.com entry
- NPR story by Bellamy Pailthorp*