Virginwool
Encyclopedia
Virginwool was a rock band based out of Orlando, Florida
originally known as Gumwrapper Curb.
students Gar Willard and Jordan Pouzzner put together an acoustic act known as Gumwrapper Curb. In 1995, bassist Adam Loewy and drummer Matthew McCauley joined the band to flesh out the sound. The self titled Gumwrapper Curb demo EP was released in 1996 and the band beginning playing shows.
and other radio stations began playing. The band beginning getting booked on shows with the likes of Matchbox 20, Creed
, Seven Mary Three
, The Nixons
, and Sister Hazel
. The band was also featured on several volumes of the Axis
music compilations. The success of the Women CD combined with the band's live show got them signed to a major label.
. However, Universal and the band didn't see eye to eye on what their sound should be. They ended up leaving Universal and signing with Atlantic Records
, through its smaller branch Breaking, which was started by members of Hootie & The Blowfish
. The band changed their name to Virginwool, after a song off their Women CD. The band began recording with Brad Wood
and eventually released their debut full length Open Heart Surgery
on August 8, 2000.
Prior to the release of the album, the band recruited second guitarist Jerry Paulson and began performing vigorously throughout the United States. After the recording of their debut, the band went on to hire touring guitarist Michael Rizzo. This was later highlighted by an extended tour with Hootie & the Blowfish. "I Think Her Mother Loves Me" and "Better for You" were released as singles from Open Heart Surgery.
. Brett Crook went on to tour and record with Florida-based soul band The Legendary JC's and is a featured musician in musical theater and a studio drummer. Jordan Pouzzner begin recording a solo album, tentatively titled Happy Bleeding, before his passing in a car accident in 2005.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
originally known as Gumwrapper Curb.
Gumwrapper Curb
The band started in the early 90's when Rollins CollegeRollins College
Rollins College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Winter Park, Florida , along the shores of Lake Virginia....
students Gar Willard and Jordan Pouzzner put together an acoustic act known as Gumwrapper Curb. In 1995, bassist Adam Loewy and drummer Matthew McCauley joined the band to flesh out the sound. The self titled Gumwrapper Curb demo EP was released in 1996 and the band beginning playing shows.
Women and success
The band beginning earning a name for themselves in Florida and other southern states. Their 1997 release Women featured the song "You're the Girl" which WJRRWJRR
WJRR — branded 101one — is a commercial radio station located in Maitland, Florida broadcasting to the Orlando, Florida area. The station mainly airs an Active Rock playlist....
and other radio stations began playing. The band beginning getting booked on shows with the likes of Matchbox 20, Creed
Creed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
, Seven Mary Three
Seven Mary Three
Seven Mary Three, occasionally abbreviated to 7 Mary 3 or 7M3, is an American hard rock band. They have released seven studio albums and one live album, and are best known for their hit singles "Cumbersome", "Water's Edge", "Lucky", and "Wait"....
, The Nixons
The Nixons
The Nixons were an American post-grunge rock band, finding some commercial success in the mid-1990s.-Band history:The Nixons were founded in Oklahoma City by singer/guitarist Zac Maloy, guitarist Jesse Davis, bassist Ricky Brooks, and drummer Tye Robison...
, and Sister Hazel
Sister Hazel
Sister Hazel are an alternative rock band from Gainesville, Florida, whose style also blends elements of folk rock, pop, classic rock 'n' roll and southern rock. Their music is characterized by highly melodic tunes and generally optimistic lyrics. The band's instrumentation often features abrupt...
. The band was also featured on several volumes of the Axis
Axis Records
Axis Records may refer to:* A record label which is operated by Jeff Mills which releases most of his work* The former name of 4AD, a record label which was started in 1979 as Axis Records by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, but quickly renamed when it was discovered that Axis Records already...
music compilations. The success of the Women CD combined with the band's live show got them signed to a major label.
Virginwool
The band, now with drummer Brett Crook signed to Universal RecordsUniversal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
. However, Universal and the band didn't see eye to eye on what their sound should be. They ended up leaving Universal and signing with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, through its smaller branch Breaking, which was started by members of Hootie & The Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish is an American rock band that enjoyed popularity in the second half of the 1990s. They were originally formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina by Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Jim Sonefeld, and Mark Bryan. The band has recorded five studio albums to date, and has...
. The band changed their name to Virginwool, after a song off their Women CD. The band began recording with Brad Wood
Brad Wood
Brad Wood is a record producer from Rockford, Illinois. He served as a drummer for the band Shrimp Boat. Brad records, mixes and produces records and is based in Los Angeles, California. He began his career in earnest in 1988 with the construction of Idful Music Corporation- a recording studio in...
and eventually released their debut full length Open Heart Surgery
Open Heart Surgery
Open Heart Surgery was released on August 8, 2000 by rock band Virginwool. The band signed to Breaking/Atlantic Records after initially beginning signed to Universal Records. The album was produced and mixed by Brad Wood....
on August 8, 2000.
Prior to the release of the album, the band recruited second guitarist Jerry Paulson and began performing vigorously throughout the United States. After the recording of their debut, the band went on to hire touring guitarist Michael Rizzo. This was later highlighted by an extended tour with Hootie & the Blowfish. "I Think Her Mother Loves Me" and "Better for You" were released as singles from Open Heart Surgery.
End of the band
After touring behind Open Heart Surgery, the band members decided to go their own ways. Adam Loewy played with several different musicians including Peter SearcyPeter Searcy
Peter Searcy is a musician from Louisville, Kentucky.Searcy was the frontman of the Louisville punk group Squirrel Bait in the 1980s. After Squirrel Bait disbanded, Searcy formed a funk-rock group called Fanci Pantz. Fanci Pantz garnered a lot of praise and major label attention, but they broke...
. Brett Crook went on to tour and record with Florida-based soul band The Legendary JC's and is a featured musician in musical theater and a studio drummer. Jordan Pouzzner begin recording a solo album, tentatively titled Happy Bleeding, before his passing in a car accident in 2005.
External links
- Virginwool.net - official site featuring downloads of all of the band's albums, and featuring unreleased and live material.
- Official MySpace - the official MySpace