BIOGRAPHY

The Worst Pop Band Ever  is an attempt to amicably reconcile a love of both “Indie Pop” and improvised music. The idea is to combine the two in an organic manner and hope for the best. Imagine the ugly love child of Radiohead and Miles Davis. Formed in 2005, the WPBE is made up of established musicians who have their feet planted in both musical worlds. Individually they have played/recorded with popstars like Feist, Ron Sexsmith, Blue Rodeo; Electronica darlings like Esthero, Insideamind and Milosh; as well as Jazzers like the Shuffle Demons,  Amanda Martinez and even Wynton Marsalis.Together they twist and bend originals and covers, straddling genres and butting heads with expectation. 

The Worst Pop Band Ever has shared stages and/or toured with the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Jeff Parker (Tortoise, Ken Vandermark), Elizabeth Shepherd,  Rich Brown, Richard Underhill, William Sperandei, Erik Hove and Mark Zubek  They've also played numerous festivals and packed clubs across North America including NXNE, IAJE, the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, The Wreckhouse Jazz Festival (St. John's, NL)The Port Hope All Canadian Jazz Festival, The Markham Jazz Festival, The Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Beat Niq in Calgary, Schuba's in Chicago, the NAC in Ottawa, the Rex in Toronto, the Freehouse in Saskatoon, etc.

Their newest album, Dost Thou Believeth in Science, featuring guest appearances by Rhonda Stakich, Rob Ritchie and Juno Nominee, Elizabeth Shepherd reached #1 on the CIUT 89.5 College Radio Charts.  The CD has also received heavy rotation on local CBC stations, as well as nationally on the Signal and Tonic; Jazz Fm 91.1, CIUT, CKUA and CFCR.

Their first CD, “Thanks for Coming Out” (2006) also received critical acclaim (although it only reaching #7 on the CIUT  charts..loser) but it had one of the songs featured in a PSA for the United Nations. The band has also provided music for the CBC, NFB, Disney and Teletoon.  Most recently music by the band was commissioned by the National Film Board for a short film honouring Peggy Baker at the 2009 Governor General Awards.

THEY ARE:

Drew Birston - bass
(Amanda Martinez, Sarah Slean, Sultans of String, Chantal Kreviazuk, Ron Davis, Steve Koven, Justin Hines)

Chris Gale - saxes
(Shuffle Demons, Brandi Disterheft. Rich Underhill, Tyler Yarema, Ron Sexsmith, Blue Rodeo, Dione Taylor)

Dafydd Hughes - keys and electronics
(Feist, Esthero, Jake Chisolm, Christine Bougie, Dee Kaye Ibomeka, Julie Crochetiere, the Deborahs, Jacksoul)

Leo37 - turntables
(Soliva, Magnolius, Abyss, Apollo Creed, Trying People)

Tim Shia - drums
(Rich Underhill, Julie Michels, Milosh, Amanda Martinez, Suzie McNeil, Rhonda Stakich, Laila Biali, Kevin Barrett)

Adrean Farrugia - Keys
(Kelly Jefferson, Matt Dusk, Brad Goode, Barry Romberg, Curtis Fuller,  Sophia Perlman)