The Brothers Creeggan

The Brothers Creeggan
Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Alternative rock, Jazz
Years active 1992 (1992)present
Members Andy Creeggan
Jim Creeggan
Past members Ian McLauchlan

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).

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 July 13, 2009, drummer Ian McLauchlan died from complications following heart surgery in Toronto.

Discography

Title Release date
The Brothers Creeggan 1995
The Brothers Creeggan II October 1997
Trunks January 18, 2000
Sleepyhead 2002

References

  1. 1 2 MacNeil, Jason. "The Brothers Creeggan - Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  2. 1 2 Soeder, John (1998-05-08). "Event: Brothers Creeggan - Monday". The Plain Dealer. p. 13 ('Friday' section).
  3. Hucke, Erin. "The Brothers Creeggan - Biography". PopMatters. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  4. Harrington, Richard (2000-02-18). "Review: The Brothers Creeggan - 'Trunks' - Fat Chicken". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  5. 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.
  6. 1 2 Brown, Mark (2000-02-09). "Partially Clad Two-Fifths of Original Barenaked Ladies Put On Some 'Trunks'". Rocky Mountain News. p. 11D.
  7. Stevenson, Jane (2000-01-16). "Album Review: The Brothers Creeggan - 'Trunks'". Jam! (Quebecor Media). Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  8. LaVeck, Theresa E. "The Brothers Creeggan - Review - 'Trunks'". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  9. Kisliuk, Bill (July 2002). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly. College Media Inc. 1 (103): 48. ISSN 1074-6978.
  10. Semioli, Tom. "The Brothers Creeggan - Review - 'Sleepyhead'". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2011-08-21.
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