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The Worst Pop Band Ever

With influences ranging from Wayne Shorter to Levon Helm to J Dilla, The Worst Pop Band Ever is a Toronto based quintet that tries to combine a love of improvisational jazz and indie pop. Featuring multiple award winners (and losers), the members of the WPBE have worked with a who's who of Canadian and international musicians, including Ernie Watts, Brad Goode, Feist, Blue Rodeo, Chantal Kreviazuk, Laila Biali, Holly Cole, Kevin Clarke and the Shuffle Demons. Together, whether it be blending acoustic bass with turntables or analog synths with the saxophone, the WPBE sets out to twist and bend both originals and covers, straddling genres and butting heads with expectation. They have played festivals and packed clubs throughout North America from IAJE to NXNE; St. John’s to Seattle; NYC to Taipei. They were called “highlights of the festival ” at the 2012 TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival by the festival’s own website, were showcased in Canadian Musician Magazine and shortlisted in NOW Toronto’s Soundclash competition. Their music has also been used for film and videos for CBC, the National Film Board, the UN, the Toronto Public Library and even Disney. Allaboutjazz.com described their live album, “Sometimes Things Go Wrong” recorded live at the Cellar in Vancouver, as “…music for people, whether they dig jazz or not…a tight band playing with substance and feeling for an appreciative audience.” (Mark Turner, July 2012).

The Worst Pop Band Ever is: Chris Gale – saxes (Mike Murley, Barry Elmes, Blue Rodeo, Johnny Reid) Tim Shia - drums (Rich Underhill, Elizabeth Shepherd, Nick Zubeck, Holly Cole) LEO37 – turntables (Shan VDP, Robot Swing, S.O.S.S., Tanika Chawlz) Adrean Farrugia - Keys (Brad Goode, Matt Dusk, Ernie Watts, Ernesto Cervini) Drew Birston – Bass (Amanda Martinez, Sultans of String, Justin Hines, Chantal Kreviazuk) Dafydd Hughes - Keys (Feist, Esthero, Christine Bougie, the Deborahs)

Awards

Provided music for "Peggy Baker" for the National Film Board of Canada as part of the Governor General Awards. Provided soundtrack for 2016 Canadian Screen Award Nominee, "BAM". Theme song for Disney Pilot - "Hood". Theme for Toronto Public Library Podcast.

The Worst Pop Band Ever: Sometime Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play)

Read "Sometime Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play)" reviewed by Mark F. Turner

by Mark F. Turner
July 3, 2012

Recorded live at Cory Weed's Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver, The Worst Pop Band Ever's Sometime Things Go Wrong (and other songs we shouldn't play) is music for people, whether they dig jazz or not. The group delivers a set that cares less about genres, as heard in its breezy cover of Sly and the Family Stone's 1973 hit single, “If You Want Me to Stay." There's no crossover message here; just a tight band playing with substance and feeling ...

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Album Review

Worst Pop Band Ever: Dost Thou Believeth in Science?

Read "Dost Thou Believeth in Science?" reviewed by John Patten

by John Patten
February 1, 2010

The Worst Pop Band Ever may not live up to its name, but this Canadian combo is working hard to produce some innovative sounds melding jam-band jazz with sound effects, courtesy of turntablist Leo37, on Dost Thou Believeth in Science?. The release features nine original compositions and makes use of Leo37's skills to varying degrees. Bassist Drew Birston and drummer Tim Shia sets up the soloists--keyboardist Dafydd Hughes and saxophonist Chris Gale--admirably throughout; the band has been together for awhile, ...

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Album Review

Worst Pop Band Ever: Dost Thou Believeth in Science?

Read "Dost Thou Believeth in Science?" reviewed by Mark F. Turner

by Mark F. Turner
January 16, 2010

The Worst Pop Band Ever's title displays a sense of humor and frivolity, but in name only. The Toronto based group consists of a talent pool whose members have performed on the fringes (groups like The Shuffle Demons) or with traditionalists (Wynton Marsalis). And since WPBE's formation in 2005 they've taken it to the streets with music that “amicably reconciles a love of both 'Indie Pop' and improvised music." Though their mantra humorously states to “Imagine the ugly love child ...

Performance / Tour

Worst Pop Band Ever CD Release

Source: All About Jazz
April 17, 2006

Imagine if you will, 5 very different people joined together by a love of “popular" music but also improvisation.

Now imagine, these 5 very odd people coming together and creating a CD of studio recordings and live songs taken from a show with Sony recording artists, the Bad Plus, during the Downtown Toronto Jazz Festival's 20th anniversary celebration.

Dafydd Hughes (the Deborahs, Esthero, Chris Hunt tentet), Drew Birston (Ron Davis, Chantal Kreviazuk, Kevin Barrett), Chris Gale (Rich Underhill, Blue Rodeo, ...
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“Blackout is a fresh and successful take on a genre-hopping approach to music making that has seen a growing number of exponents in recent years…. the group grafts wide-ranging musical elements onto each other that serve to subtly or not so subtly transform the source materials. Peachy Keen features modern jazz piano comping over a reggae feel that creates a surprisingly ideal setting for Chris Gale’s soulful saxophone solo. The abrupt switch to a full-out rock groove with electronica for the tune’s ending somehow seems completely appropriate. “

Ted Quinlan (Wholenote Magazine)

“In sum, the appeal with Blackout remains the same as it was with 2009’s Dost Thou Believeth In Science?: quirky titles but no-nonsense organic grooves usually topped off by a revolving cast of proficient soloists who know how far to take it before they run out of steam. And they do it with a touch of wit. The Worst Pop Band Ever has a hand-made, unforced approach that makes rock-jazz uncommonly relaxing, and Blackout keeps that relaxed vibe going.”

S. Victor Aaron (Something Else Reviews)

"Of course Jazz isn't dead. The core idea of using pop music as source material for creative exploration is still very much alive…It is easier to appreciate (and follow) where these artists take the music when you already understand where they started… Snarky Puppy, Mehliana, The Worst Pop Band Ever… "

Kevin Hurley, Huffington Post

"Street wise yet substantive, these compositions would appeal to fans of Vijay Iyer, Brad Mehldau, or DJ Logic, as dealt by the poised sax/piano front line (Chris Gale and Dafydd Hughes), a robust rhythm section (bassist Drew Birston and drummer Tim Shia), and excellent colorizations by turntablist Leo37....From start to finish Dost Thou Believeth in Science? is hip enough and deep enough for jazzers and non-jazzers alike."

Mark Turner (All About Jazz.com)

"The music's fresh, may appeal to pop lovers but assuredly to jazzers keen on a kind of driven fluency as genre stylings are examined, discarded and reworked. "

Geoff Chapman (Toronto Star)

"The Worst Pop Band Ever is the total package - great compositions, unique covers and standup-worthy comedic banter... the group’s two-set night at The Winchester Kitchen was a highlight of the (2012 TD Canada Trust Jazz) festival."

Mike Deicont (torontojazz.com)

"While jazz might not be the most popular type of music on playlists these days, if anyone can make the genre break through to a pop-loving mainstream crowd, it could just be The Worst Pop Band Ever. Ironic, no?"

Canadian Musician Magazine

"The CD is really cool…Lots of surprises and turns and fascinating layers, both in the arrangements and the 'atmospherics'"

Andy Sheppard (CBC Radio, the Signal)

"The Worst Pop Band Ever is a rare vintage that delivers some of the most unique and delightful flavours in the Toronto music scene. Theirs is a creative, refreshing sound, (seemingly) effortlessly performed with a truly gentle touch."

Andy Frank (CIUT 89.5 FM, Toronto)

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