Cuff the Duke
Encyclopedia
Cuff the Duke is a Canadian
band from Oshawa, Ontario
. They play a blend of traditional country
and folk
music with indie rock
influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country
group.
on Three Gut Records
. They spent the next few years touring with Hayden
, acting as his backing band. In 2005 they released their second album, Cuff the Duke
on Hardwood Records
.
The line-up for Cuff the Duke has evolved, with the consistent members thus far being Wayne Petti
and Paul Lowman
.
With Dale Murray
(Nephew to Anne Murray) now in Cuff the Duke, the band has taken on a more polished tone, due to his pedal steel and guitar playing. Patrick Conan (who temporarily filled in for Matt Faris who has been side-lined from playing live due to wrist surgery) has been a steady drummer and has filled Matt Faris' shoes well. Paul Aucoin of the Hylozoists
also occasionally performs live with Cuff the Duke playing vibraphone, glockenspiel and percussion. Paul also produced Cuff the Duke's self-titled album in 2005. Since June 2007, Corey Wood has taken on the role of Cuff the Duke's drummer, and is now an official member of the band.
Cuff the Duke utilizes a wide range of instruments, of these the more notable instruments are bells, Moog synthesizers
, wind organ
s, Hammond organ
s and lap steel
.
On March 16, 2007 a Cuff the Duke recording was released on The Secret Sessions
, a tribute album to the Rheostatics
. The band recorded a version of "Claire", which was originally released on the Rheostatics' Introducing Happiness
. The Secret Sessions is available from Canadian digital indie label Zunior.
On October 23, 2007 Cuff the Duke's album Sidelines of the City
was released.
Petti and Murray have also released solo albums.
On April 22, 2008 Cuff the Duke performed with Greg Keelor
of Blue Rodeo
at a taping of the CBC Radio
show Fuse
at CBC's Studio 40 in Ottawa
. On September 8, 2009 they released the album Way Down Here, which was produced by Keelor.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
band from Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
. They play a blend of traditional country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
music with indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country
Alternative country
Alternative country is a loosely defined sub-genre of country music, which includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream or pop country music...
group.
History
In 2002 they released their first album, Life Stories for Minimum WageLife Stories for Minimum Wage
The debut album from Cuff the Duke, titled Life Stories for Minimum Wage, was released in 2002 and recorded at Umbrella Sound and at The House of Miracles in Toronto...
on Three Gut Records
Three Gut Records
Three Gut Records was a Guelph, Ontario, Canada based independent record label. It was founded in 1999 by Lisa Moran and Tyler Clarke Burke as a vehicle for releasing albums by their friends; it became an influential player in Canadian music with the breakout success of the Constantines'...
. They spent the next few years touring with Hayden
Hayden (musician)
Paul Hayden Desser who records as Hayden, is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Thornhill, Ontario.His early works are a largely eclectic mix of genres from grunge rock to alt country, as demonstrated by his first full album, Everything I Long For, released in 1995. Since then his work has become...
, acting as his backing band. In 2005 they released their second album, Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke (album)
The eponymous album Cuff the Duke is the band's second full length release. Recorded and mixed in Toronto at The Woodshed, Hallamusic and Chemical Sound, this album contains a re-recording of the track Anti-Social which first appeared on Life Stories for Minimum Wage.-Track listing:#"The Future...
on Hardwood Records
Hardwood Records
Hardwood Records is a Canadian independent record label, owned and operated by singer-songwriter Hayden. Originally formed to distribute his own albums, the label also currently releases albums by Cuff the Duke and Basia Bulat....
.
The line-up for Cuff the Duke has evolved, with the consistent members thus far being Wayne Petti
Wayne Petti
Wayne Petti is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He is a vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band Cuff the Duke, and releases solo material under his own name.-Biography:...
and Paul Lowman
Paul Lowman
-Biography:Lowman grew up in Oshawa, Ontario where he played with fellow Cuff the Duke member Wayne Petti. As Cuff the Duke picked up, He moved to Toronto. Aside from Cuff the Duke, he has also played on albums by The Hylozoists and Hayden...
.
With Dale Murray
Dale Murray (musician)
Dale Murray is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. He is a guitarist and vocalist for the indie rock band Cuff the Duke, and releases solo material under his own name.-Biography:...
(Nephew to Anne Murray) now in Cuff the Duke, the band has taken on a more polished tone, due to his pedal steel and guitar playing. Patrick Conan (who temporarily filled in for Matt Faris who has been side-lined from playing live due to wrist surgery) has been a steady drummer and has filled Matt Faris' shoes well. Paul Aucoin of the Hylozoists
Hylozoists (band)
The Hylozoists are a Canadian instrumental rock supergroup formed in 2001 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The band's name is derived from hylozoism and was started as a side project of record producer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Aucoin.-History:...
also occasionally performs live with Cuff the Duke playing vibraphone, glockenspiel and percussion. Paul also produced Cuff the Duke's self-titled album in 2005. Since June 2007, Corey Wood has taken on the role of Cuff the Duke's drummer, and is now an official member of the band.
Cuff the Duke utilizes a wide range of instruments, of these the more notable instruments are bells, Moog synthesizers
Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
, wind organ
Wind organ
A wind organ is a musical instrument designed to be 'played' by the wind. Designs of wind organs vary depending on the artist constructing the organ...
s, Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
s and lap steel
Lap steel guitar
The lap steel guitar is a type of steel guitar, an instrument derived from and similar to the guitar. The player changes pitch by pressing a metal or glass bar against the strings instead of by pressing strings against the fingerboard....
.
The Secret Sessions
The Secret Sessions is a tribute album to Canadian indie rock band Rheostatics, released March 16, 2007 through the web label Zunior. The album was released to coincide with the band's farewell show scheduled for March 30, and features Canadian indie rock artists performing Rheostatics songs...
, a tribute album to the Rheostatics
Rheostatics
Rheostatics was a Genie Award-winning Canadian indie rock band, active from 1980 to 2007.Although they had only one Top 40 hit, "Claire" in 1995, they were simultaneously one of Canada's most influential and unconventional rock bands, a band whose eclectic take on pop and rock music has been...
. The band recorded a version of "Claire", which was originally released on the Rheostatics' Introducing Happiness
Introducing Happiness
Introducing Happiness is a 1994 album by Rheostatics.The album includes "Claire", the band's only Top 40 hit. That song is also featured on the Whale Music soundtrack album....
. The Secret Sessions is available from Canadian digital indie label Zunior.
On October 23, 2007 Cuff the Duke's album Sidelines of the City
Sidelines of the City
Sidelines of the City is the third album by Canadian indie rock band Cuff the Duke, released on October 23, 2007.-Track listing:#"If I Live or If I Die" – 3:42#"Surging Revival" – 4:04#"Failure to Some" – 7:01#"Remember the Good Times" – 2:47...
was released.
Petti and Murray have also released solo albums.
On April 22, 2008 Cuff the Duke performed with Greg Keelor
Greg Keelor
Greg Keelor is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as a member of the band Blue Rodeo, where he shares song writing and vocal duties with Jim Cuddy. Keelor has also released three solo albums and appeared as a guest musician on albums by Crash Vegas and Melissa McClelland...
of Blue Rodeo
Blue Rodeo
Blue Rodeo is a Canadian pop and country rock band, which was formed in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario. They have been signed with Warner Music Group since their debut album Outskirts in March 1987...
at a taping of the CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
show Fuse
Fuse (radio program)
Fuse is a Canadian radio program, which airs on CBC Radio One and on CBC Radio 3's satellite radio channel. From March 25, 2007 to August 2008, the program was also aired on CBC Radio 2, becoming the only program which has aired on all three networks...
at CBC's Studio 40 in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. On September 8, 2009 they released the album Way Down Here, which was produced by Keelor.
Current members
- Wayne PettiWayne PettiWayne Petti is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He is a vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band Cuff the Duke, and releases solo material under his own name.-Biography:...
– vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica, bass (2001–present) - Paul Lowman – bass, piano, backing vocals, fiddle, guitar, lap steel (2001–present)
- Dale Murray – guitar, pedal steel, backing vocals (2005–present)
- Corey Wood – drums, percussion (2006–present)
- François Turenne - Live Guitars (2009–present)
Past members
- Jeff Peers – guitar, keyboards, percussion (2001–2005)
- Brad Fudge – drums, percussion (2001–2003)
- Matt Faris – drums, percussion (2003–2006)
- Patrick Conan – live drums, percussion (2006)
- Paul Aucoin – live keyboards, percussion (2005–2006)
- Steve Krecklo – lead guitar, lap steel, keyboards, organ, percussion, backing vocals (2002, for Life Stories for Minimum Wage)
- Christopher Sandes – live keyboards (2007–2008)
Discography
- Life Stories for Minimum WageLife Stories for Minimum WageThe debut album from Cuff the Duke, titled Life Stories for Minimum Wage, was released in 2002 and recorded at Umbrella Sound and at The House of Miracles in Toronto...
(2002 on Three Gut RecordsThree Gut RecordsThree Gut Records was a Guelph, Ontario, Canada based independent record label. It was founded in 1999 by Lisa Moran and Tyler Clarke Burke as a vehicle for releasing albums by their friends; it became an influential player in Canadian music with the breakout success of the Constantines'...
, re-released 2007 on Outside Music) - Cuff the DukeCuff the Duke (album)The eponymous album Cuff the Duke is the band's second full length release. Recorded and mixed in Toronto at The Woodshed, Hallamusic and Chemical Sound, this album contains a re-recording of the track Anti-Social which first appeared on Life Stories for Minimum Wage.-Track listing:#"The Future...
(2005 on Hardwood Records) - Sidelines of the CitySidelines of the CitySidelines of the City is the third album by Canadian indie rock band Cuff the Duke, released on October 23, 2007.-Track listing:#"If I Live or If I Die" – 3:42#"Surging Revival" – 4:04#"Failure to Some" – 7:01#"Remember the Good Times" – 2:47...
(2007 on Hardwood Records) - Way Down HereWay Down HereWay Down Here is the fourth album by Canadian alternative country group Cuff the Duke, released September 8, 2009 on Noble Recordings.-Track listing:# "You Were Right"# "Follow Me"# "It's All a Blur"# "The Words You Ignore"# "Promises"...
(September 8, 2009) - Morning Comes (October 4, 2011) Paper Bag RecordsPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
See also
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- Canadian rockCanadian rockCanadian rock describes a wide and diverse variety of music produced by Canadians, beginning with American style rock 'n' roll in the mid-20th century. Since then Canada has had a considerable impact on the development of the modern popular music called rock...
- List of bands from Canada
- List of Canadian musicians
- :Category:Canadian musical groups
External links
- Cuff the Duke official website
- Cuff the Duke at Last.fmLast.fmLast.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
- Wayne Petti interview in Canadian GeographicCanadian GeographicCanadian Geographic is the bimonthly magazine of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society . It was first published in May 1930 under the name Canadian Geographical Journal. The society's objective was to produce a popular magazine dealing primarily with Canadian geography...
discussing how the Canadian landscape has influenced his music