Moxy Früvous
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Thornhill, Ontario , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
| Products | Music albums |
Moxy Früvous was a Canadian folk-pop group known for its politically charged satire, originating from Thornhill, Ontario, and active between 1989 and 2001. Their repertoire frequently explored Canadian subjects alongside broader reflections on the human condition.
History
The band was established in 1989 by former Thornlea Secondary School classmates Jian Ghomeshi (then known as Jean Ghomeshi), Murray Foster, and Mike Ford, who had previously played together in a pub ensemble called The Chia Pets. Subsequently, David Matheson joined the lineup. They started their career by busking in Toronto's streets, which caught the attention of CBC Radio. This exposure led to commissions for politically themed compositions featured on Later the Same Day. Songs such as "The Gulf War Song" and "My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors" were later incorporated into their official albums.
In 1992, Moxy Früvous launched a self-titled demo containing six tracks that sold over 50,000 copies, earning Gold certification in Canada. Their performance at the SOCAN Awards that year sparked a competitive bidding process, culminating in a contract with Warner Music Canada. Their first major-label release, Bargainville (1993), attained Platinum certification within Canada.
On August 14, 1997, NASA selected their song "You Will Go to the Moon" as a wake-up call for astronauts aboard STS-85.
The band gained recognition for incorporating occasional a cappella performances and progressive political commentary in songs like "The Greatest Man in America" and "Big Fish." Their reputation was further solidified through dynamic live shows characterized by political humor and spontaneous musical improvisation.
Their last studio album, Thornhill, was issued on July 27, 1999, under True North Records. The track "Sad Girl" was promoted with an accompanying music video. Moxy Früvous concluded their live performances with a final concert in 2000, followed by one last appearance at a fan gathering in 2001.
Post-breakup activity
On September 5, 2005, Ford, Foster, and Ghomeshi reunited for a performance on CIUT, the University of Toronto’s campus radio station, during the morning show Toronto Unlocked, hosted by locked-out CBC Radio One employees.
Although their official website was replaced by a default server page around mid-2009, it resurfaced later and remained accessible as of February 2024, with the last update recorded on September 26, 2018.
On March 1, 2010, Ghomeshi, Foster, and Ford appeared together on CBC Radio One to honor departing Metro Morning host Andy Barrie.
In late 2014, Ghomeshi faced arrest and was charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of choking involving three different complainants. By January 2015, three additional charges were added concerning three other women.
On October 31, 2014, Murray Foster issued an official statement representing the former members of Moxy Früvous expressing shock and condemnation regarding non-consensual sexual conduct and violence against women:
"As former collaborators with Jian (our final performance together was in 2000), we are deeply disturbed and saddened by recent developments. We were unaware that Jian engaged in such behavior. We strongly oppose any sexual relationship lacking full consent from all parties involved and denounce violence against women in every form. We extend our wishes for health and healing to all affected. At this time, we have no further remarks."
On March 24, 2016, Ghomeshi was acquitted of five assault charges. Subsequently, on May 11, 2016, the Crown withdrew the remaining charge after he agreed to sign a peace bond and issued an apology to the complainant.
Subsequent Endeavors
- Jian Ghomeshi served as the host of the arts-focused show Q on CBC Radio One until 2014 and is the author of the book 1982, released by Penguin Books.
- Murray Foster is a member of the band Great Atomic Power and also performs with the vocal jazz ensemble The Lesters. Additionally, he toured with Great Big Sea, stepping in for bassist and vocalist Darrell Power.
- Dave Matheson continues to perform both as a solo artist and alongside Murray Foster in Great Atomic Power.
- Mike Ford specializes in school performances that highlight Canadian history through music.
- In 2011, Foster and Ford established The Cocksure Lads, producing two albums and playing live shows in Toronto; Dave Matheson occasionally joins their performances.
Discography
- Moxy Früvous (1992, demo, limited release)
- Bargainville (1993), including the track "King of Spain"
- Wood (1995)
- The 'b' Album (1996, collection of b-sides and rare tracks)
- You Will Go to the Moon (1997)
- Live Noise (1998, live recording)
- Thornhill (1999)
- The 'c' Album (2000, compilation of b-sides and rarities)