30 Odd Foot Of Grunts
Encyclopedia
30 Odd Foot of Grunts and The Ordinary Fear of God are bands formed by actor Russell Crowe
and friends.
and friend Billy Dean Cochran formed a band, "Roman Antix", which later evolved into the Australian rock band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts (TOFOG for short). Crowe performed lead vocals and guitar for the band, which formed in 1992.
. In 2000 TOFOG performed shows in London, Los Angeles and the now famous run of shows at Stubbs in Austin, TX which became a live DVD that was released in 2001 called Texas. In 2001 the band came to the US for major press, radio and TV appearances for the Bastard Life or Clarity release and returned Stubbs in Austin, TX to kick off a sold out US tour with dates in Austin, Boulder, Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City and the last show at the famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ.
In 2003 the band and Crowe were infamously parodied by fellow Australian band Frenzal Rhomb
on their track "Russel Crowe's Band". The subsequent film clip of the single featured animated portrayals of both bands and some well-documented Russell Crowe incidents.
of the Canadian band Great Big Sea
, and with it a new band: The Ordinary Fear of God which also involved some members of the previous TOFOG lineup. A new single, Raewyn, was released in April 2005 and an album entitled My Hand, My Heart which was released and is available for download on iTunes. The album includes a tribute song to actor Richard Harris, who became Crowe's friend during the making of Gladiator
. Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God set out to break the new band in by performing a successful sold out series of dates of Australia in 2005 and then in 2006 returned to the US to promote their new release My Hand, My Heart with another sold out US Tour and major press, radio and television appearances.
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
and friends.
Beginnings
In the '80s Russell CroweRussell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
and friend Billy Dean Cochran formed a band, "Roman Antix", which later evolved into the Australian rock band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts (TOFOG for short). Crowe performed lead vocals and guitar for the band, which formed in 1992.
Success
The band released 1995's The Photograph Kills EP as well as three full length records: 1998's Gaslight, 2001's Bastard Life or Clarity and 2003's Other Ways of Speaking, all of which are all available at iTunes worldwide. Bastard Life or Clarity and Other Ways of Speaking were both mixed by Mike FraserMike Fraser
Mike Fraser is a Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer. Mike is best known for his work with AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith and Joe Satriani...
. In 2000 TOFOG performed shows in London, Los Angeles and the now famous run of shows at Stubbs in Austin, TX which became a live DVD that was released in 2001 called Texas. In 2001 the band came to the US for major press, radio and TV appearances for the Bastard Life or Clarity release and returned Stubbs in Austin, TX to kick off a sold out US tour with dates in Austin, Boulder, Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City and the last show at the famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ.
In 2003 the band and Crowe were infamously parodied by fellow Australian band Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb are an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1992 with mainstay Jason Whalley on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. In 1996, Lindsay McDougall joined the line-up on lead guitar and backing vocals. Two of the group's albums have peaked into the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart, A...
on their track "Russel Crowe's Band". The subsequent film clip of the single featured animated portrayals of both bands and some well-documented Russell Crowe incidents.
The Ordinary Fear of God
In early 2005, 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts as a group has "dissolved/evolved" with Russell Crowe feeling his future music would take a new direction and he began a collaboration with Alan DoyleAlan Doyle
Alan Thomas Doyle is a Canadian musician and actor, best known for his work as one of the lead singers of Celtic band Great Big Sea.-Life and career:...
of the Canadian band Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage...
, and with it a new band: The Ordinary Fear of God which also involved some members of the previous TOFOG lineup. A new single, Raewyn, was released in April 2005 and an album entitled My Hand, My Heart which was released and is available for download on iTunes. The album includes a tribute song to actor Richard Harris, who became Crowe's friend during the making of Gladiator
Gladiator (2000 film)
Gladiator is a 2000 historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays the loyal Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed...
. Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God set out to break the new band in by performing a successful sold out series of dates of Australia in 2005 and then in 2006 returned to the US to promote their new release My Hand, My Heart with another sold out US Tour and major press, radio and television appearances.
Recent events
- In March 2010 Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God's version of the John WilliamsonJohn WilliamsonJohn Williamson is the name of:* Jack Williamson , American science fiction writer* John H. Williamson , American, North Carolina politician and newspaper publisher* John N. Williamson , American, U.S...
song "Winter Green" was included on a new compilation album The Absolute Best of John Williamson: 40 Years True Blue, commemorating the singer/songwriters milestone of 40 years in the Australian music industry.
- In May 2011 there are plans to release a new Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God record (co-written with Alan DoyleAlan DoyleAlan Thomas Doyle is a Canadian musician and actor, best known for his work as one of the lead singers of Celtic band Great Big Sea.-Life and career:...
) and for a US Tour which would be the first live dates in the US since 2006.
30 Odd Foot of Grunts Band members
- Russell Crowe - vocals, guitar
- Dean Cochran - lead guitar
- Dave Kelly - drums, background vocals
- Stewart Kirwan - trumpet, flugelhorn, background vocals
- Garth Adam - bass
- Dave Wilkins - guitar, background vocals
Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God Band Members
- Russell Crowe - vocals, guitar
- Alan Doyle - guitar, vocals
- Dave Kelly - drums, background vocals
- Stewart Kirwan - trumpet, flugelhorn, background vocals
- Bones Hillman - bass
- Stuart Hunter- keys
- Paul Berton - guitar
Discography
- 30 Odd Foot of Grunts "The Photograph Kills EP" (1995)
- 30 Odd Foot of Grunts "Gaslight" (1998)
- 30 Odd Foot of Grunts "Bastard Life or Clarity" (2001)
- 30 Odd Foot of Grunts "Texas" DVD (2001)
- 30 Odd Foot of Grunts "Other Ways of Speaking" (2003)
- Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God "Raewyn" iTunes single (2005)
- Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God "My Hand, My Heart" (2005)
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/russellcroweandtheordinaryfearofgod Official Russell Crowe & TOFOG Myspace Page
- http://www.facebook.com/russellcroweandtheordinaryfearofgod Official Russell Crowe & TOFOG Facebook Page
- http://twitter.com/russellcrowe Russell Crowe's Verified Twitter Page
- http://www.murphsplace.com/crowe/news.html Official Russell Crowe News Page
- http://www.facebook.com/russelliracrowe Official Russell Crowe Facebook Fan Page