Fat Man Waving
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Ottawa , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Fat Man Waving was a folk-rock ensemble originating from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, active between 1987 and 1996. Their eclectic fusion of folk, rock, Celtic, and jazz elements garnered significant critical praise—Musician magazine recognized them in 1990 as one of the top 12 unsigned bands worldwide—yet this stylistic variety created difficulties for record companies in marketing their music.
The principal lineup featured Rebecca Campbell on vocals; Peter Kiesewalter handling piano, keyboards, accordion, and clarinet; Fred Guignon on guitars; James Stephens playing bass guitar, fiddle, viola, and banjo; and Ian Mackie on drums and percussion. Several members pursued additional musical endeavors: Kiesewalter and Mackie performed with The Angstones, Campbell toured as a backing singer for Jane Siberry and participated in the folk trio Three Sheets to the Wind, while Guignon contributed to the alternative rock group Mystic Zealots.
History
Their self-produced debut album, Fat Man Waving, was released in 1989. The band also put out various singles outside their albums, such as "Sons & Lovers" and a rendition of "Waiting for the Moon" featured on the Bruce Cockburn tribute compilation Kick at the Darkness. In 1990, they stood out as the sole Canadian band included in Musician's Best Unsigned Bands list, an accolade determined by industry veterans including Lou Reed and Robbie Robertson. Their sophomore release, Parade, came out in 1992. That same year, they secured the Band of the Year title at the Ottawa Rock 'n' Roll Music Awards, surpassing prominent local contenders.
Benefiting from substantial exposure through CBC Radio and regular appearances at Canadian folk festivals, they signed with Aquarius Records in 1995 and launched The Habit of Gravity. Nevertheless, following the departure of their main advocate within Aquarius, promotional efforts and touring support diminished, which contributed to their disbandment in 1996.
After the group dissolved, Campbell embarked on a solo path with releases including Tug (1999) and The Sweetest Noise (2002). Mackie moved to Vancouver, where he established a career as a foley artist for film and television while maintaining his musical activities. Kiesewalter settled in New York City, collaborating with ensembles such as the East Village Opera Company and Brooklyn Rundfunk Orchestra.
Discography
- Fat Man Waving (1989)
- Parade (1992)
- The Habit of Gravity (1995)