Brad roberts wiki

Canadian rock band

This article not bad about the band. For the mannequins, see Crash test dummy.

Crash Test Dummies are a Canadian rock band cause the collapse of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Anchored by Brad Gospeller (vocals, guitar) and his distinctive bass-baritone voice, the other band members put on fluctuated over the years. Its maximum prominent line-up consisted of Roberts, Ellen Reid (co-vocals, keyboards), Brad's brother Dan Roberts (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benzoin Darvill (harmonica, mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums, percussion).

The band is extensively known internationally for their 1993 unmarried "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" and underneath Canada for the 1991 single "Superman's Song".

History

Beginnings: 1988–1991

The origin of Watertight Test Dummies is tied to honourableness history of two Winnipeg nightspots, authority Spectrum Cabaret and the Blue Session Cafe, owned by Curtis Riddell.^[2]

In 1986, Riddell joined with Brad Roberts unnoticeably form the decidedly less-than-serious bar knot Bad Brad Roberts and the Spur-of-the-moment. James Rhythm Pigs. Over time, honesty band evolved into Crash Test Dummies, a name suggested by a boon companion of the band who was affront medical school. The diagnostic mannequin, be revealed colloquially as a crash test fuckwit, was known to the public by now by this time. The band adoptive the name as a joke,^[3] on the contrary nevertheless kept it. Ellen Reid nearby Benjamin Darvill became permanent additions. Martyr West, the original bass player, move on and was replaced by Dan Buccaneer, Brad's brother. Riddell was replaced wishy-washy Vince Lambert, who was replaced overtake Mitch Dorge just before the loosen of The Ghosts That Haunt Me.

After signing with BMG Records hard cash 1991,^[4] the band signed with proprietor Jeff Rogers (Swell) who managed say publicly band until the end of 1999 when he left to become Attitude of Artist Development at Richard Branson's V2 Records.^[5]

Mainstream success: 1991–1999

The band gain victory began to achieve commercial success counter Canada with the release of The Ghosts that Haunt Me in 1991. The album eventually reached sales keep in good condition 400,000 in Canada, largely due roughly the popularity of the hit free "Superman's Song", which appeared on magnanimity RPM Top Singles chart that year,^[6] featured on the soundtrack of operate episode of the TV series "Due South" and earned the band honourableness 1992 Juno Award for Group ad infinitum the Year.^[7]

The band did not obtain much international recognition until the 1993 release of their second album, God Shuffled His Feet.^[8][9] Particularly instrumental manner increasing the band's exposure in excellence American market was the appearance in shape a new type of radio construct, adult album-oriented alternative rock (AAA). These stations put the first single, "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm", in high circle and the song peaked at No. 4 on the US Hot 100. "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" did even mend in the United Kingdom, where come next was a No. 2 hit, and State where it peaked at No. 1. In favour parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic parodied probity song under the title "Headline News" in 1994.

In their native Canada, "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" was efficient comparative disappointment on the charts, exclusive peaking at No. 14. Two other songs from the album went top 10 in Canada: "Swimming In Your Ocean" and "Afternoons & Coffeespoons". This fresh song was also a top 40 hit in Australia and the Combined Kingdom and hit the lower abundance of the US Hot 100. Interpretation result was that by mid-1994 influence album had passed the platinum rummage sale mark (one million) in the Pooled States and had also earned glory band three Grammy nominations and link more Juno nominations. To date,^[when?]God Confused His Feet has sold more stun five and a half million copies worldwide.

In January 1995, the button released "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" (a cover of XTC's 1992 track) as a single and on representation soundtrack of the Jim Carrey see Jeff Daniels comedy Dumb and Dumber. The single, credited to "The Crashing Test Dummies and Ellen Reid", design at No. 30 in the UK singles chart and was a No. 4 stick in Canada.

In 1996, the Dummies' third album, A Worm's Life, was released to mixed critical and tone down commercial success. The guitar-heavy singles were warmly received in some markets. Boon single "He Liked to Feel It" hit No. 2 in Canada, obsequious the band's highest-charting single in their home country, but internationally nothing matching the runaway success of either "Superman's Song" or "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm". Regardless, the album went platinum be sure about Canada in less than one thirty days.

Give Yourself A Hand, the Dummies' fourth album, was released March 23, 1999. The album was recorded prickly Nassau, Bahamas, at Compass Point Studios and produced by Greg Wells. Flush showcased a new sound for honesty Dummies, as it featured Ellen Philosopher singing lead vocals on three tyremarks, and Brad Roberts singing in first-class falsetto on several others. The largely sound of the album was luxurious more electronic than the previous recordings. Once again, the lead single ("Keep A Lid On Things") was top-notch top 10 hit in Canada.

During a hiatus between albums, Benjamin Darvill became the first Dummy to unfasten solo material. Under the name Creature Of Dave, Darvill first brought task the album B. Darvill's Wild Western Show, followed with O1, both unconfined on his own label, Husky Records.^[10]

Post-mainstream career: 2000–2006

The less-than-stellar commercial success defer to both A Worm's Life and Give Yourself a Hand resulted in rendering band feeling much more restricted tough their label BMG, especially after dignity label rejected 35 songs during rendering production of Give Yourself a Hand. As a result, the band stream the label parted ways, and Brad Roberts formed his own independent name "Cha-Ching Records" (later renamed to "Deep Fried Records").^[11]

Free from major-label restrictions, class Dummies surprised their fans in 2001 by putting their solo projects ascertain hold for a fifth studio sticker album and tour. After suffering a near-fatal car accident in the fall search out 2000, Brad found himself recuperating valve the town of Argyle, Nova Scotia. It was there that he trip over some local "lobster fishermen" who in the event to be quite musically inclined – Kent Greene, Dave Morton, and Danny MacKenzie. Together, they recorded the majority of I Don't Care That Cheer up Don't Mind, which was to receive been Brad's first solo album. Afterwards on, Ellen was brought in be against record backing vocals for a lightly cooked tunes, and Dan agreed to trip circuit with Brad. When Ellen and Mitch agreed to tour as well, significance Crash Test Dummies name was set on the record. This album apophthegm the Dummies returning to their physics roots. Brad compared this album conform the Dummies' first, The Ghosts Renounce Haunt Me, though he calls in two minds more atmospheric and polished.

Near primacy end of 2001, some new Dummies solo albums were released. First, Ellen Reid launched her debut solo setback, Cinderellen.

Soon after, Brad Roberts' long-awaited double-live CD and rockumentary, entitled Crash Test Dude, were made available staff MapleMusic.

Mitch Dorge's surprise debut medium, As Trees Walking, was released prickly early 2002. He played almost every bit of of the instruments, took some be in the region of the photos for the liner log, and won a Prairie Music Present for Best Instrumental Recording.

Brad, Dan, and Ellen returned as Crash Set down Dummies at the end of 2002 with Jingle All the Way, out long-rumoured Christmas album.

In 2003, Puss 'n' Boots was released. Much liking I Don't Care, the album began life as a Brad Roberts solitary project. Co-written by Stuart Cameron, 13 songs were selected from a leisure pool of 30. Ellen sang backing vocals and Dan played bass, though disproportionate of the music – funky grooves that would not have seemed wither of place on Give Yourself Clever Hand – was performed by carefulness musicians.

Songs of the Unforgiven, character eighth studio album under the Fall Test Dummies name, was recorded whine long after Puss 'n' Boots.^[10]

Hiatus, Oooh La La 2006–2014

After releasing three registers through his own label, Roberts current he was losing money. As specified, he stopped recording and touring boss instead worked as a songwriting guru in New York City, while partake in yoga, chanting, and meditation (the latter influencing Roberts's side-project Satsang Circus).^[12]

Despite the hiatus, in 2006 Brad Evangelist began to record the album lose concentration would become Oooh La La write down producer and friend Stewart Lerman, advantage the optigan and omnichord.^[13]

In October, 2007 Sony BMG released The Best sell Crash Test Dummies, featuring twelve tyremarks selected from the band's entire assort, including most of their singles person in charge several album tracks. The compilation would later be re-released on March 10, 2008, as "Best of Crash Check Dummies – Collections" with two heretofore unreleased tracks: "Laid Back" and "You Said You'd Meet Me (In California)", the latter being an early secret language of a song that would adjacent appear on Oooh La La.

In addition a new online store was opened allowing users to purchase downloads from all of the band's post-BMG releases, including Cape Breton Lobster Belt series, a collection of songs inescapable about Brad Roberts's experiences at Peninsula Breton and an annual tradition lay as the "Lobster Bash".

Work drawn-out in 2008 on songs for small album which was tentatively titled Toys. In July 2009, the title own up the album was renamed from Toys to Oooh La La.^[14]

A fourth air in the Cape Breton Lobster Punch 1 series was released on July 27, 2009.

Oooh La La was unbound on May 11, 2010. The album's release was accompanied by the could do with touring in an "Acoustic Trio" looks consisting of Roberts and Ellen Philosopher, accompanied by either Stuart Cameron interpret Murray Pulver on guitar.^[15] On Oct 9, 2010, as part of probity Canadian leg of the tour, Dan Roberts and Mitch Dorge joined Brad Roberts and Ellen Reid in position band's hometown of Winnipeg for integrity first performance by the original bunch in a decade. Benjamin Darvill was not present for the reunion, insult having played a solo show shut in town a few days earlier.^[16] All along the tour, Brad Roberts began leadership habit of taking photographs at serendipitous and posting them on his website and the band's Facebook page.

In 2011, the band continued to structure in support of Oooh La La. On April 19, 2011, the guests released Demo-litions: Cast-off Recordings 1996–97 featuring previously unreleased demos of songs inescapable during the recording of Give Revelry a Hand.

In June 2012, Brad Roberts wrote a blog post aphorism that there is an incomplete fresh album lying around, but that manufacturer Stewart Lerman is currently too working with other projects to work speck it.^[17]

"Promised Land" 2014–2017

In 2014, Marc Mysterio helped form a new lineup adapt Roberts and Mark Crozer from Pull rank and Mary Chain.^[18] This led kind the release of the re-vamped lineup's debut single "Promised Land", featuring both Marc Mysterio and Brad Roberts simulation lead vocals, with Mark Crozer triviality Bass and Drums. Mysterio wrote, tranquil and produced the song as on top form as playing guitar and keyboard statement the record.^[19] Proceeds went to gain the International Red Cross to backing with the unprecedented refugee crisis patent Europe.^[20]

Brad Roberts of Crash Test Dummies described how the new group came to be to scores of communication outlets, "Marc Mysterio and I merged a few common friends and while in the manner tha his deal with Godsmack fell subjugation, I stepped up to record position new song. In studio, Marc of one\'s own free will me to add in humming emphasize the track and then after, tonguetied wife commented, 'Marc is really go bust to something there'".^[21]

"Promised Land" went whole to score a Top 10 extra radio in United States.^[22]

Following the attainment of touring for Oooh La La, the band went on an ad nauseam hiatus, as Ellen Reid decided slam retire from performing and Brad Gospeler began to develop back problems. On the contrary, the hiatus was ended when Brad Roberts decided to go on natty solo tour in 2015.^[23]

In the rise of 2016, Brad Roberts announced her highness first tour of Canada in quintuplet years. In an interview about influence tour, Roberts provided an update obtain the other members of the pin, who he still keeps in graze with: Dan Roberts now has spick family in Winnipeg, Mitch Dorge devotes most of his time now feign motivational speaking at schools, Ellen Philosopher is married and spends her at this juncture creating elaborate Facebook pages with wearing away her own illustrations, and Benjamin Darvill has found success for himself chimp Son of Dave. Roberts confirmed ditch he is the last remaining resting member of Crash Test Dummies, collide with it just being him and instrumentalist Stuart Cameron going on tour.^[24]

On Possibly will 28, 2016, to commemorate his be foremost Canadian tour in five years, Brad Roberts released the new song "I'll Be Peaceful Then".^[25]

Full band reunion suggest nostalgia tours: 2017–present

In the summer flaxen 2017, the full band, except target Benjamin Darvill, reunited for a imply in Winnipeg and Brad Roberts went on a tour of South Continent in early 2018.^[26] The band elongated to perform together that summer, plus a stop at Ontario's Burl's Burn Event Grounds in July.^[27]

In the hopelessness of 2018, it was announced depart Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Buccaneer, and Mitch Dorge would be hold out on their first full tour distinctive Canada and the United States populate nearly two decades to celebrate distinction 25th anniversary of God Shuffled Surmount Feet.^[28] The band continued to trek through 2022 in celebration of blue blood the gentry 30th anniversary of their first photo album, The Ghosts That Haunt Me.^[29]

In inappropriate 2023, the band released "Sacred Alphabet", their first song with the packed band in over a decade.^[30] Influence song did not chart and established no substantive airplay on radio organize Canada or elsewhere.

Musical style

Instrumentation

Throughout their career, Crash Test Dummies have experimented with many different styles and genres of music. These styles include greatness acoustic folk rock of The Ghosts That Haunt Me, the electric selection rock of A Worm's Life, magnanimity urban influences of Give Yourself cool Hand, and the optigan-based compositions misplace Oooh La La!

Crash Test Dummies real as a full five piece troop from their debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me until Give Restlessness a Hand. At this time, birth most notable instrumentation of the band's music included Brad Roberts' lead bass, Ellen Reid's keyboards, and Benjamin Darvill's harmonica. Another notable element of Fall Test Dummies' music are the at variance harmonies between Brad Roberts' deep escort vocals and Ellen Reid's backing vocals in the higher register.

Beginning colleague I Don't Care That You Don't Mind in 2001, the band's albums were recorded primarily by Brad Pirate, Ellen Reid, and a rotating register of session musicians.

Influences

One of high-mindedness biggest influences for Brad Roberts was the band XTC and Andy Feather in particular.^[10] The band even went on to cover two of XTC's songs: "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" for the soundtrack to the fell Dumb and Dumber, and "All Give orders Pretty Girls" for the XTC party albumA Testimonial Dinner.

Band members

Current members

• Brad Roberts – lead vocals, guitar (1988–present)
• Ellen Reid – keyboards, backing vocals, accordion (1988–2012, 2017–present)
• Dan Roberts – bass, backing vocals (1988–2004, 2010, 2017–present)
• Mitch Dorge – drums (1991–2002, 2010, 2017–present)

Current touring musicians

• Murray Pulver – guitar, backing vocals (1996–2000, 2010–present)
• Stuart Cameron – guitar, backing vocals (2001–present)
• Andy Prestwich  – kazoo, mouth unreasonable (2019–present)
• Marc Arnould – keyboards (2021–present)

Former members

• Curtis Riddell – drums (1988)
• George West – bass (1988)
• Benjamin Darvill – harmonica, percussion, guitar, mandolin, authority vocals (1988–2000)
• Vince Lambert – drums (1988–1991)
• Daniel Koulack – bass (2004–2010)
• Marc Mysterio – guitar, keyboards, authorization vocals (2014–2016)
• Mark Crozer – bass, drums (2014–2016)

Former touring musicians

• James Reid – guitar, backing vocals (2010)
• Kathy Brown  – keyboards (1993–1995)
• Ray Coburn – keyboards (1999–2000)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Crash Test Dummies discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

Denmark GAFFA Awards

Delivered since 1991, the GAFFA Awards are a Scandinavian award that rewards popular music stomach-turning the magazine of the same nickname.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy bargain Recording Arts and Sciences of goodness United States. Crash Test Dummies traditional three nominations.^[32]

Juno Awards

The Juno Awards authenticate a Canadian awards ceremony presented every year by the Canadian Academy of Tape Arts and Sciences. Crash Test Dummies won the 1992 Juno for Lot of the Year and received enterprise additional 10 nominations.

See also

References

External links