Hookahman began as a Tuesday night Jam session in 1992 Wes
& Frank's house. 9 unique members of Edmonton's vibrant artistic community
met and jammed for no reason other than to play and hear music that they
liked. Eventually they performed publicly at an Edmonton City Council public
forum on the use of "radioactive waste to speed the decomposition of
river sludge". Hookahman wrote and performed their hit single "The
Nuclear Song" for that gig. Since then, their open improvisational
technique has led them to play with such Canadian legends as Juno Award
winner Bill Bourne, The Hard Rock Miners, and The Raging Grannies. Most
recently, Hookahman recorded their first album "Oh
Hut..." etching their own brand of Post-Industrial-Accoustic-Folk-Fusion-Trouser-Rock
for all time in a string of ones and zeros concentrically stored via optical
laser technology in the delightful CD format. Due to the overwhelming popularity
of "Oh Hut...", they are currently
working on a follow-up with Aria Award winning producer Dave
Mockford.
Hookahman sounds like "Jonathan
Richman leading The Pogues on a
rampage through Canadian suburbia, rearranging The
Rankin Family's Lawn Ornaments along the way."
- Gene Kosowan, See Magazine
Hookahman is comprised of Joe Bird , Wes
Borg Joel Finnestad, Jeff
Page, Jason Kodie, Frank Bessai, Cathy Derkach, and Dove & Larry
( the former rhythm section of Jr.
Gone Wild).
Frank Bessai is a classically trained gone Hookahman violinist who
spent his life jamm'in all over the world. Frank's knowledge of languages
and skilled trombone quacks are at the core of the hut. When Frank finds
time away from the busy Hookahman schedule, he can be found dancing around
a gymnasium dressed as the enchanting duckman fiddler, Canard Rouge. His
message is political, he is irie.
An explorer in the realm of the slide mandolin, Jeff
Page has been playing music ever since he tried to fool a substitute
teacher in 6th grade band by playing snare drum instead of his trumpet.
He soon gave up the trumpet, but can sing most of the White Album from memory.
Joe Bird once won an award for playing the oboe in elementary school. Having travelled to distant lands since then, he often writes upbeat dance ditties about depression and love. He can play many instruments, and does so frequently.
Dove Brown is probably best known for his ten odd years as the bass player in Jr. Gone Wild. He is nearly as well known for his long sexy legs and original Albertan appeal.
Joel Finnestad once played drums in bands with names like The
Demon Pit Thrashers and Ruptured Duck. Since joining Hookahman, however,
he has re-acquainted himself with his old friend the saxophone, and begun
writing songs with lyrics like "bootgum rye and a chicken and a pea."
Wes Borg began playing the banjo
in earnest when he realized there was the potential for seven rhythm guitarists
in Hookahman. Since picking up the blasted thing, he has kicked his comedy mistress out of the
house (although he still pays for her apartment). Wes is happy most of the
time.
Cathy Derkach is just about the most daring yodeller in all of Western
Canada. She plays every instrument in the Hookahman arsenal, and played
a five hour gig on New Year's Eve 1997 while nine months pregnant. She jams.
Jason Kodie loves Flaco. Mr. Bombo, as Mr. Kodie is sometimes
called, once sported a full head of natties. Having played the accordion
since he was very small, his hands have formed keys and buttons of their
own.
Larry Shelast plays drums for Hookahman. He has told us little of
his past.
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