Grievous Angels
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 in Toronto, Canada |
| Founder | Charlie Angus, Michelle Rumball, Peter Jellard |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Alternative country music albums and performances |
Grievous Angels is a Canadian ensemble specializing in alternative country, established in 1986 in Toronto. The group is fronted by singer-songwriter Charlie Angus, who later became a New Democratic Party Member of Parliament representing Timmins—James Bay starting in 2004.
Early years
The band was created by Angus alongside vocalist Michelle Rumball and fiddler Peter Jellard following Angus's departure from the punk outfit L'Étranger. Initially, they performed as street musicians before securing gigs at Toronto venues such as the Cabana Room in the Spadina Hotel. In 1987, Tim Hadley and drummer Peter Duffin joined the lineup. They built a following through appearances at Canadian folk festivals and launched their first album, Toute la Gang, in 1989.
Their 1990 release, One Job Town, featured singles like "Gordie and My Old Man" and "Crossing the Causeway" which received airplay on national radio. Critics likened the album’s narrative style to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska for its storytelling intensity. During the accompanying tour, vocal duties were shared by Lynn Simmons and Kirsti MacLeod due to Rumball experiencing vocal difficulties. The album earned a nomination for Best Roots or Traditional Album at the Juno Awards of 1991, while the band itself was nominated for Best Country Group or Duo at the Juno Awards of 1992.
Return to Northern Ontario
Following this period, Rumball departed from the group and Angus moved to Cobalt, Ontario. The band then concentrated their performances primarily within Northern Ontario as they worked on their third album, Watershed. This record marked Angus stepping into the role of lead vocalist and featured themes reflecting personal transitions, evident in tracks such as "Starting Over at Thirty" and "North of the Watershed". In 1994, Maclean's recognized them as one of Canada’s most promising emerging bands.
In 1995, Angus founded HighGrader, a publication dedicated to Northern Ontario’s cultural scene, and began working as a correspondent for CBC Radio One’s Sudbury station, CBCS.
The band’s 1996 album Waiting for the Cage was a concept project centered on life within Northern Ontario mining communities and included an interactive CD-ROM component. This innovative release received an accolade from the New York Expo of Short Film and Video.
Angus was honored with the Jackie Washington Award in 1999 by Sudbury’s Northern Lights Festival Boréal for his impact on Northern Ontario’s cultural landscape. That same year saw the release of their album 22 Trailer Park.
In mid-2000, Duffin retired while Hadley toured with Stompin' Tom Connors. Dave Patterson took over drumming duties from Duffin, with Al Lamore joining on drums as well. During this time, Angus became actively involved in opposing plans to transport Toronto’s garbage to the defunct Adams Mine near Kirkland Lake.
The group issued Hanging Songs in 2003, which included a song inspired by the Adams Mine protest movement.
Hiatus
In 2004, Angus secured the New Democratic Party nomination for Timmins-James Bay,[1] drawing on his musical experience throughout the campaign, including performances alongside Jack Layton.[2] He won the seat in the 2004 federal election.[3] Shortly after, the band appeared at Northern Lights Festival Boréal,[4] before entering a period of inactivity. Despite this pause, Angus maintained his connection to music by performing at political rallies.[5]
In 2011, the group returned to recording with "Diamonds in the Snow," featuring collaboration with former L'Étranger bandmate and fellow MP Andrew Cash.[6] Together, they led NDP caucus singalongs of songs such as "Bud the Spud" and "Four Strong Winds" following significant occasions.
The album Great Divide was released in 2013.[7] Its track "Four Horses," inspired by Clearing the Plains, was accompanied by a video produced in partnership with University of Regina Press.
Since then, the band has performed at selected folk festival events.
In 2021, they unveiled Summer Before the Storm, their first album in eight years,[8] featuring contributions from Angus, Jellard, Hadley, along with new members Janet Mercier (vocals), Ian McKendry (guitar), and Nathan Mahaffy (drums). Guest vocals were provided by Andy Maize of Skydiggers.[9]
Their ninth studio album, Last Call for Cinderella, was released in 2024.[10]
Discography
- 1989: Toute la Gang
- 1990: One Job Town
- 1993: Watershed
- 1996: Waiting for the Cage
- 1999: 22 Trailer Park
- 2003: Hanging Songs
- 2013: Great Divide
- 2021: Summer Before the Storm
- 2024: Last Call for Cinderella
References
- ↑ "Timmins-born author seeking federal NDP nomination". Timmins Daily Press, April 5, 2004.
- ↑ "Layton sings Charlie's tune". Timmins Daily Press, June 4, 2004.
- ↑ "A few new faces will be seen in Parliament". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, June 30, 2004.
- ↑ "New MP hits the stage in Sudbury". North Bay Nugget, July 5, 2004.
- ↑ "Voice of the North; New Democrat MP and rocker Charlie Angus has turned his songs into his work". Toronto Star, August 21, 2004.
- ↑ "Charlie Angus se lance dans la course à la direction du NPD". Ici Radio-Canada, February 26, 2017.
- ↑ "The only band that matters: Can Charlie Angus rock-and-roll his way to the NDP leadership?". National Post, November 24, 2016.
- ↑ Kerry Doole, "NDP MP Charlie Angus' Songwriting Remains Potent on Grievous Angels' 'Summer Before the Storm'". Exclaim!, January 13, 2021.
- ↑ "NDP MP Charlie Angus' Songwriting Remains Potent on Grievous Angels' 'Summer Before the Storm'". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ↑ John Emms, "Grievous Angels latest release Last Call for Cinderella a true gem". Timmins Daily Press, May 6, 2024.
- Charlie Angus
- Musical groups established in 1986
- Musical groups disestablished in 2004
- Musical groups reestablished in 2008
- Musical groups from Toronto
- Canadian alternative country groups
- 1986 establishments in Ontario
- 2004 disestablishments in Ontario
- 2008 establishments in Ontario
- Bloodshot Records artists