Tricky Woo
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
| Products | Garage punk music |
Tricky Woo was a garage punk group originating from Montreal, Canada, recognized for its definitive lineup featuring vocalist and guitarist Andrew Dickson, guitarist Adrian Popovich, bassist Eric Larock, and drummer Patrick Conan. Their releases appeared on various labels such as Sonic Unyon, Estrus Records, TeePee Records, Triple X Records, Mag Wheel, Yeah Right! Records, and Last Gang.
As noted on Julian Cope's Head Heritage website, the band faced unfortunate timing, delivering gritty MC5/Stooges-influenced rock prior to the early 2000s garage rock revival that brought attention to similar groups like The Datsuns and The Hives.
History
Established in 1996 by Andrew Dickson alongside drummer Sasha Roiz and bassist Jon Fazakerley, Tricky Woo released their debut album Rock and Roll Music, Part 1 in 1997 through VICE Magazine's SSG Records. Guitarist Adrian Popovich joined shortly after, and Eric Larock took over bass duties from Fazakerley for their sophomore effort The Enemy is Real. Patrick Conan replaced Roiz on drums for their third album Sometimes I Cry, which received critical praise.
In 1999, the band shared the stage in Toronto with Danko Jones and The New Meanies. That same year, Sometimes I Cry earned a nomination for Best Alternative Album at the Juno Awards of 2000. Their song "Easy" was featured in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Following the release of a self-titled EP, Popovich exited the group in 2000. The band then explored southern rock influences on the 2001 album Les Sables Magiques before disbanding in 2002. Subsequently, members formed Soft Canyon together with former Local Rabbits musicians.
In 2004, Dickson, Popovich, and Larock reunited with drummer Patrick Sayers to embark on a cross-Canada tour and released First Blush (2005), an album inspired by NWOBHM. Later, Alex Crowe replaced Larock after he joined Starvin Hungry. The band recorded additional unreleased material through 2006 before entering an indefinite hiatus; during this time Dickson pursued a project called Mongrels.
The lineup responsible for First Blush briefly regrouped for two performances at Calgary’s Sled Island festival in 2009.
Yeah Right! Records issued a compilation of b-sides and rare tracks named The Children Of on yellow vinyl in 2015.
In 2018, producer Ian Blurton revealed plans to create a documentary alongside a reissue of Sometimes I Cry celebrating its 20th anniversary; however, no release has materialized.
In June 2020, an early unreleased track titled "Who's Got The Bombs" was included on Yeah Right! Records’ Black Lives Matter compilation, with proceeds directed to related charitable organizations.
On August 31, 2021, Bonsound and Blow the Fuse announced vinyl reissues of Tricky Woo’s initial three albums—marking the first vinyl editions for their first two records. Concurrently, a documentary trailer premiered featuring Blurton and artists from Death From Above 1979, Billy Talent, Danko Jones, The Dears, and George Stroumboulopoulos. Although an October 2021 release was planned, the film remains unreleased as of November 2023.
Discography
- The Claw (1996, 7-inch EP, Mag Wheel Records)
- Rock and Roll Music, Part One (1997, CD, SSG Records)
- The Enemy is Real (1998, CD, Sonic Unyon Records)
- Ten Tons (1999, 7-inch EP, Grenadine Records)
- Sometimes I Cry (1999, CD, Sonic Unyon Records/LP No Tomorrow Records)
- Trouble/Rock & Roll Gypsy (2000, 7-inch, Estrus Records)
- Tricky Woo (2000, 10-inch EP, Mag Wheel Records)
- Les Sables Magiques (2001, CD, Sonic Unyon Records, TeePee Records)
- First Blush (2005, CD, Last Gang Records)
- The Children of Tricky Woo (2015, Vinyl, Yeah Right! Records)