White Cowbell Oklahoma

By P.D. Cartright

Formed in 1999 as a celebration of cowbell-laden, 70s-style riff rock (indeed, many credit WCO as the true inspiration behind Christopher Walken’s famous SNL skit), White Cowbell Oklahoma dazzled rock-hungry, irony-weary masses in their native Toronto. Anxious to out-do the multi-guitar assault of their southern-rock idols, WCO featured a rotating cast of at least ten lead guitarists plus a dozen auxiliary musicians, actors and dancers from the local scene (this subsequently inspired Toronto’s “big band” movement, carried on by Broken Social Scene and The Hidden Cameras). WCO also boasted unprecedented stage theatrics - comparable to KISS, Alice Cooper and The Tubes - which included such showstoppers as nude female coleslaw wrestling and penis-assisted slide guitar solos.

White Cowbell Oklahoma eventually slimmed down to a more manageable nine-piece (still featuring four guitarists and a chainsaw specialist), with band members known only by monikers such as “Clem,” “Sarge,” and “Hollis.” By the release of their 2001 self-titled EP, the band had developed a dedicated following across Canada. The act was taken to SXSW in Austin, leading to even more notoriety and an eventual worldwide cult following. Upon the release of 2004’s full-length Cencerro Blanco (literally “White Cowbell” in Spanish), critics unanimously re-appraised White Cowbell as being far more than just “show.” The record boasted riff-heavy music on the same par as 70s-era ZZ Top, Humble Pie and Grand Funk Railroad, and as an added touch, perennial ZZ Top cover artist Bill Narum was recruited for sleeve art. Video clips for “San Antone” and “Monster Railroad” were also notable for cameos by Rockin’ Ronnie Hawkins (of The Last Waltz fame), CBC’s Rick Mercer, and Sloan’s Chris Murphy. Cencerro Blanco eventually broke WCO into the European arena, where the band began playing large A-list rock/metal festivals.

The follow-up album, Casa Diablo, was released in Europe in 2006 and North America in 2007, again to critical acclaim. The disc continued the 70s boogie-rock tradition but also progressed on several fronts – “Fly Away” was a country-rock tribute to the late Doug Sahm, while “She’s Got My Love In Her Hand” pummeled like vintage Deep Purple. Alternatively, “Faster Than Sin” offered trippy amphetamine-driven psycho-billy, while the epic “Do Me So Wrong” gave the nod to John Lee Hooker via Lynyrd Skynyrd.

A remixed/remastered version of WCO’s out-of-print debut EP (complete with new bonus tracks) is rumored to be in the works, along with several live DVDs. Yet, despite the constant musical growth, White Cowbell Oklahoma still puts on increasingly over-the-top shows and remains blissfully irony-free.

Group Members:
Clem, Sarge, Hollis, Jessie, Bubba, Jessup, Chainsaw Charlie,
The Cousin Who Hath No Name, Dingo Von Devereaux (drums on Casa Diablo),
Mudflap Williamson (drums on Cencerro Blanco), Bunny (backup vocals on Cencerro Blanco)

Similar Artists:
Raging Slab, Tricky Woo

Influenced by:
ZZ Top, KISS, Humble Pie, Grand Funk Railroad, The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Sir Douglas Quintet, Deep Purple, Atomic Rooster, Mountain, Thin Lizzy, The Edgar Winter Band, Jimi Hendrix, The James Gang.