Although a new name to the traditional pub and festival scene, UglyStick's members have all had their share of big stage experience. So you're probably wondering, "Why UglyStick?".

Well it's more than a cruel statement about the attractiveness of the band. There is actually a percussion instrument called an uglystick. You'll only find it in the kitchen parties of Canada's East Coast. Essentially it's a mop with a bunch of bottle caps attached to it and it requires no more skill to play than simply thumping it on the ground. How this unique tool came into exsistance is a mystery, but our theory is that it was invented by a guy with no musical skill who still wanted to participate in the weekly session down at the pub. So he took whatever he could find that might make a noise, hammered them together and started thumping. Crude but effective.

Necessity is truely the mother of invention... and fun! In much the same way, UglyStick (the band) was created. Just 4 random people who just wanted to play. We're not all from the East Coast... heck, we're not even all from Canada. But music is music no matter where you are.

Steve Tudge - Everywhere(bass), Tyree Lush - Newfoundland (guitar, bodhrun and vocals) and Dana Arrowsmith - Ontario(fiddle and backing vocals) are all previous members of Ottawa independant band, Celtae. Raf (percussion), who hails from Venezuela, just happened to be there at the right time. Our repetoire consists mainly of traditional and original Celtic music, but with a funk bass player and a Latin drummer, we never know what may happen. Sure, I would be lying if I said becomming rich and famous wouldn't be nice, but really, as long people keep dancing to our music we'll be happy...so DANCE, darn it!!

Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Similar Artists: Great Big Sea, Seven Nations, The Young Dubliners, Silly Wizard, Old Blind Dogs, Kilt

Website: Ugly Stick
Download MP3: Dark Cove
Buy CD: UglyStick EP

Posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, March 30, 2006.
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