Jr. Gone Wild
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Mike McDonald, Tom Wolfe, Adele Wolfe, Bill (Will) Pontez |
| Defunct | 1995 (initial breakup) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2013 |
| Headquarters | Edmonton , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
| Products | Music albums |
Jr. Gone Wild is a Canadian band blending elements of country and punk rock, originating from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the group embarked on numerous tours and produced multiple albums. After dissolving in 1995, they reunited in 2013 to resume both live performances and studio recordings.
History
Established in Edmonton in 1982, the founding members were Mike McDonald, Tom Wolfe, Adele Wolfe, and Bill (Will) Pontez. Following early performances in Calgary, the band temporarily disbanded. Subsequently, McDonald revived Jr. Gone Wild in Edmonton, where he had previously fronted Joey Did and the Necrophiliacs (which later became Malibu Kens).
The reformed lineup consisted of McDonald, David Lawson, Dave "Dove" Brown, and Ed Dobek. Their first album, Less Art More Pop, was released in 1986 under BYO Records.
After Dobek and Lawson left the group in 1988, Jr. Gone Wild continued with McDonald, Brown, Steve Loree, and Paul Paetz. The band maintained an active touring schedule while undergoing several lineup adjustments. In 1994, they earned an Alberta Recording Industry Award recognizing them as Best Rock Band.
Their final album before their 1995 breakup was Simple Little Wish, issued early that year.
Members of Jr. Gone Wild also participated in the Edmonton/Montreal ensemble Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra, a group with which k.d. lang was reportedly associated.
In 2013, Jr. Gone Wild reunited with McDonald, Brown, Loree, and new drummer Larry Shelast to perform reunion concerts and independently re-release their debut album. The band also worked on new recordings but encountered legal challenges concerning the use of the Alberta crest in their promotional efforts.
A documentary capturing the band's journey from formation through recent activities began production in 2015 by NTT Films.
Jr. Gone Wild appeared at the Edmonton Music Awards gala in 2015. The following year, Calgary-based band Napalmpom recorded a cover of "Cosmos" from Less Art More Pop.
Discography
- Less Art, More Pop! (1986)
- Folk You (The Guido Sessions) (1989)
- Too Dumb to Quit (1990)
- Pull The Goalie (1992)
- Simple Little Wish (1995)
- Live at the Hyperbole (1995) (collaboration with Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie)
- Still Got The Jacket (2021)