Willard Grant Conspiracy
| Company type | Collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Founder | Robert Fisher, Paul Austin |
| Headquarters | Near Palmdale , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Willard Grant Conspiracy (WGC) was an alt-country ensemble initially established in Boston, Massachusetts before relocating near Palmdale, California, U.S. Functioning as a collective, the only consistent member was vocalist and songwriter Robert Fisher. Fisher’s vocal style and Americana influences often invited comparisons to artists such as John Cale and Johnny Cash, with the majority of compositions being predominantly acoustic.
History
The group originated in Boston in 1995, founded by Robert Fisher (September 9, 1957–February 12, 2017) alongside Paul Austin, who had worked together since the early 1980s in the band Laughing Academy. After briefly adopting the name the Flower Tamers, they incorporated guitarist Sean O'Brien to produce their first record, 3 AM Sunday at Fortune Otto's, which was released through Fisher’s own Dahlia label. By the time of their 1998 album Flying Low on Rykodisc, the band’s roster had grown to feature James Apt (guitar), David Michael Curry (viola), Erich Groat (mandolin), and Matt Griffin (bass).
Throughout its existence, WGC involved over 30 musicians in both studio sessions and live performances. Their discography was released via various independent labels such as Loose Music, Rykodisc, Glitterhouse Records, and Kimchee Records. Among their significant works are the live album Weevils in the Captain's Biscuit and Mojave. The 2003 release Regard The End, recorded in Ljubljana, Slovenia and featuring collaborations with Kristin Hersh and Chris Eckman of The Walkabouts, received widespread critical praise and was honored as Album of the Month by Uncut. Willard Grant Conspiracy’s sound incorporated elements from country, psychedelic rock, blues, and punk; Regard the End is frequently cited as their pinnacle achievement for its seamless fusion of traditional melodies with rock sensibilities.
In 2002, Paul Austin became a member of The Transmissionary Six and subsequently joined The Walkabouts in 2011. Fisher moved to California in 2003. Between 2005 and 2006, WGC toured extensively across 23 countries, including a performance at South by Southwest. Their touring continued throughout the United States and Europe until 2016. Additionally, Fisher and Curry performed as a duo; Fisher also collaborated with artists such as Scottish singer-songwriter Jackie Leven and composer Malcolm Lindsay.
Robert Fisher passed away from cancer on February 12, 2017, at the age of 59.
Studio albums
- 3am Sunday @ Fortune Otto's (1996)
- Flying Low (1998)
- Mojave (1999)
- Everything's Fine (2000)
- Regard the End (2003)
- Let It Roll (2006)
- Pilgrim Road (2008)
- Paper Covers Stone (2009)
- Ghost Republic (2013)
- Untethered (2018)
Live albums
- Weevils In The Captain's Biscuit (1998)
- The Green, Green Grass of Slovenia (2000)
- Live 2001 – Amsterdam and Aberdeen (2001)
- Live At Rockpalast-Crossroads(Il Mucchio) (2004)
- From a Distant Shore: Live in the Netherlands (2004)
Compilation albums
- There But for The Grace Of God (2004)
EPs
- Color of the Sun (1999)
- Radio Free WGC (1999)
- In the Fishtank 8, with Telefunk (2002)