Yukon Kornelius
Encyclopedia
Yukon Kornelius is a rock
music supergroup
. It consists of bassist Stefan Lessard
from the Dave Matthews Band
(the anchor member), singer/guitarist Ed Robertson
of Barenaked Ladies
, singer/guitarist Adam Gardner
from Guster
, and drummer Eric Fawcett
from Spymob
(billed for the first show as a special guest, but billed in 2009 as part of the band). The band's name comes from Yukon Cornelius, a character in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)
. The band's shows have so far been known for including special guests. The band was originally put together for charitable purposes when the members were together for a planned ski/snowboard trip while filming Warren Miller's Children of Winter, a snow sports film.
Road Pickle Barrel
in Killington
, Vermont
. The show benefitted the Vermont and New Hampshire food bank
s, as well as Gardner's environmental group Reverb
.
The band played several songs, including "Yukon Kornelius Theme", "Sympathy for the Devil
", "Psycho Killer
", "Careless Whisper
", "White Room
", Guster's "Center of Attention", "Pinch Me
", "Lost in the Supermarket
", "Stefan Jams on the Bass", and "Rockin' the Free World". Jason Biggs
joined the band for a few songs, such as "Don't Fear the Reaper", and "Low Rider
". Dee Snider
participated in "Highway to Hell
", and Snider and Biggs joined in for "We're Not Gonna Take It".
Full setlist including original artists:
on January 24. Stefan Lessard
mentioned via his Twitter
account that a mini tour with additional dates was in talks, but due to band members' obligations with their own respective bands, they had to put it off.
The band played a show in Vail, Colorado
on December 11, 2009. Amongst other songs the band covered the Dave Matthews Band
song Halloween
with Dee Snyder on vocals.
Full set list from the December 11, 2009 show below:
Vail Set List v2.0
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
music supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
. It consists of bassist Stefan Lessard
Stefan Lessard
Stefan Kahil Lessard is an American musician, most famous as the bassist for the Dave Matthews Band.-Early life:Lessard was born in Anaheim, California, to musicians Ron and Janaki Lessard. After moving a number of times during his childhood, Lessard and his family eventually settled in...
from the Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
(the anchor member), singer/guitarist Ed Robertson
Ed Robertson
Lloyd Edward Elwyn Robertson , better known as Ed Robertson, is the Canadian lead singer, as well as a guitarist and songwriter in the band, Barenaked Ladies...
of Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
, singer/guitarist Adam Gardner
Adam Gardner
Adam Seth Gardner is a guitarist and vocalist of the band Guster and a member of the Tufts University Beelzebubs...
from Guster
Guster
Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
, and drummer Eric Fawcett
Spymob
Spymob is a pop rock band, from Minneapolis best known for their appearance on the 2003 Star Trak Entertainment compilation The Neptunes present Clones, with the song "Half Steering Half Eating Ice Cream." They also provided backing instruments for N.E.R.D.'s 2002 debut In Search Of......
from Spymob
Spymob
Spymob is a pop rock band, from Minneapolis best known for their appearance on the 2003 Star Trak Entertainment compilation The Neptunes present Clones, with the song "Half Steering Half Eating Ice Cream." They also provided backing instruments for N.E.R.D.'s 2002 debut In Search Of......
(billed for the first show as a special guest, but billed in 2009 as part of the band). The band's name comes from Yukon Cornelius, a character in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a Christmas television special produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass. It first aired Sunday, December 6, 1964, on the NBC television network in the USA, and was sponsored by General Electric under the umbrella title of The General Electric Fantasy Hour...
. The band's shows have so far been known for including special guests. The band was originally put together for charitable purposes when the members were together for a planned ski/snowboard trip while filming Warren Miller's Children of Winter, a snow sports film.
Debut Performance
On January 9, 2008, Yukon Kornelius played its first show at the KillingtonKillington
There are several places called Killington:*Killington, Cumbria, a civil parish and hamlet in Cumbria, England**Killington Beck, the location of Killington Lake in Cumbria...
Road Pickle Barrel
Pickle Barrel
Founded in 1971, Pickle Barrel is a chain of twelve Canadian restaurants located in the Greater Toronto Area.-Atmosphere:During the early 2000s Pickle Barrel changed its image, with a more upscale, trendy look, though restaurants made before this still sport signature photos, each location having...
in Killington
Killington
There are several places called Killington:*Killington, Cumbria, a civil parish and hamlet in Cumbria, England**Killington Beck, the location of Killington Lake in Cumbria...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. The show benefitted the Vermont and New Hampshire food bank
Food bank
A food bank or foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organization that distributes mostly donated food to a wide variety of agencies that in turn feed the hungry. The largest sources of food are for-profit growers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers who in the normal course of business have...
s, as well as Gardner's environmental group Reverb
Reverb (non-profit)
Reverb is a non-profit environmental organization that educates and engages musicians and their fans to promote environmental sustainability. It was founded by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and her musician husband, Guster guitarist/vocalist Adam Gardner....
.
The band played several songs, including "Yukon Kornelius Theme", "Sympathy for the Devil
Sympathy for the Devil
"Sympathy for the Devil" is a song by The Rolling Stones which first appeared as the opening track on the band's 1968 album Beggars Banquet. It was written by Mick Jagger credited to Jagger/Richards...
", "Psycho Killer
Psycho Killer
"Psycho Killer" is a song by American New Wave band Talking Heads from their 1977 album Talking Heads: 77, written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. The band's "signature debut hit" features lyrics which seem to represent the thoughts of a serial killer. Allmusic calls it a...
", "Careless Whisper
Careless Whisper
"Careless Whisper" is a 1984 single by George Michael , released by Epic Records in the UK, Japan, and other countries; and by Columbia Records in North America. The song was George Michael's first solo single although he was still performing in Wham! at the time...
", "White Room
White Room
"White Room" is a song by British "supergroup" Cream. The song was a psychedelic rock number written by bassist Jack Bruce and poet Pete Brown. It originally appeared on the US release of their double album, Wheels of Fire, by Atco Records in July 1968 and was released as a single in September 1968...
", Guster's "Center of Attention", "Pinch Me
Pinch Me
"Pinch Me" is the title of a song by the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies. It was released in August 2000 as the first single from their 2000 album, Maroon, which was a follow-up to their hit album, Stunt. As such, "Pinch Me" is often regarded as an attempted follow-up to the hit single "One Week"...
", "Lost in the Supermarket
Lost in the Supermarket
"Lost in the Supermarket" is a 1979 song by The Clash. Written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones and produced by Guy Stevens, it is credited to the Strummer/Jones songwriting partnership. It was released on their third studio album London Calling. It is the eighth song on the track listing...
", "Stefan Jams on the Bass", and "Rockin' the Free World". Jason Biggs
Jason Biggs
Jason Matthew Biggs is an American actor who is best known for his role as Jim Levenstein in the American Pie series of teen comedy films.-Personal life:...
joined the band for a few songs, such as "Don't Fear the Reaper", and "Low Rider
Low Rider
"Low Rider" is a song written by the band War and appearing on their 1975 album Why Can't We Be Friends?. It reached number one on the Billboard R&B charts and peaked at number seven on the Pop Singles chart....
". Dee Snider
Dee Snider
Daniel "Dee" Snider is an American singer-songwriter, screenwriter, radio personality, and actor. Snider is most famous for his role as the frontman of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister...
participated in "Highway to Hell
Highway to Hell (song)
"Highway to Hell" is the opening track of AC/DC's 1979 album Highway to Hell and the twelfth track on AC/DC Live. It was initially released as a single in 1979....
", and Snider and Biggs joined in for "We're Not Gonna Take It".
Full setlist including original artists:
- Yukon Kornelius Theme - Improvized lyrics found at the Dave Matthews Band Almanac
- (Don't Fear) The Reaper - Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
- Low Rider - WarWar (band)War is an American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae...
-- featuring Steve Morell of the Pete Kilpatrick Band on sax - Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones
- Psycho Killer - Talking HeadsTalking HeadsTalking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
- Careless Whisper - George MichaelGeorge MichaelGeorge Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
-- featuring Steve Morell of the Pete Kilpatrick Band on sax - White Room - CreamCream (band)Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
- Center of Attention - GusterGusterGuster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
- Pinch Me - Barenaked LadiesBarenaked LadiesBarenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
- Lost in the Supermarket - The ClashThe ClashThe Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
- Superman - R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
- Improv Jam - Stefan LessardStefan LessardStefan Kahil Lessard is an American musician, most famous as the bassist for the Dave Matthews Band.-Early life:Lessard was born in Anaheim, California, to musicians Ron and Janaki Lessard. After moving a number of times during his childhood, Lessard and his family eventually settled in...
- Rockin' in the Free World - Neil YoungNeil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
- We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted SisterTwisted SisterTwisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
- Highway to Hell - AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
Current status
Yukon Kornelius played at the Belly Up in Aspen, ColoradoAspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
on January 24. Stefan Lessard
Stefan Lessard
Stefan Kahil Lessard is an American musician, most famous as the bassist for the Dave Matthews Band.-Early life:Lessard was born in Anaheim, California, to musicians Ron and Janaki Lessard. After moving a number of times during his childhood, Lessard and his family eventually settled in...
mentioned via his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account that a mini tour with additional dates was in talks, but due to band members' obligations with their own respective bands, they had to put it off.
The band played a show in Vail, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
The Town of Vail is a Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. The population of the town was 4,589 in 2005. The town was established and built as the base village to Vail Ski Resort, with which it was originally conceived...
on December 11, 2009. Amongst other songs the band covered the Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
song Halloween
Halloween (Dave Matthews Band song)
"Halloween" is a song by Dave Matthews Band from the 1998 album Before These Crowded Streets. The song was originally released as a live track on their Recently EP in 1994. It debuted live on Halloween of 1992 and was originally titled "The Halloween Song." It opened the show, and included Kristen...
with Dee Snyder on vocals.
Full set list from the December 11, 2009 show below:
Vail Set List v2.0
- Theme
- Don’t Fear the Reaper (Lead vocals by Adam Gardner) – Blue Oyster Cult
- Psycho Killer (Lead vocals by Ed Robertson)– Talking Heads
- Pinch Me (Lead vocals by Ed Robertson)– Barenaked Ladies
- Center of Attention (Lead vocals by Adam Gardner) - Guster
- Sympathy for the Devil (Lead vocals by Adam Gardner)– Rolling Stones
- Careless Whisper (Lead vocals by Eric Fawcett) – Wham!
- Shimmer – Fuel (Lead vocals by Carl Bell)
- Rockin’ in the free world (Lead vocals by Tyler Stewart) – Neil Young
- Reaper Reprise
- We’re Not Gonna Take It (Lead vocals by Dee Snider)– Twisted Sister
- Round and Round (Lead vocals by Dee Snider)- Ratt
- Shout It Out Loud (Lead vocals by Dee Snider)- Kiss
- Highway To Hell (Lead vocals by Dee Snider)– AC/DC
- Rock You Like A Hurricane (Lead vocals by Dee Snider)- Scorpions
- Have Your Self (A merry Little Christmas, Lead vocals by Dee Snider)
- Halloween (Lead vocals by Dee Snider)- Dave Matthews Band
- I Wanna Rock (Lead vocals by Dee Snider)– Twisted Sister