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| Where will the Big Wu be playing next? |
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[9/17/2010]
Des Moines, IA
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[9/18/2010]
Franklin, MN
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[10/30/2010]
Aberdeen, SD
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[10/31/2010]
Fargo, ND
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[11/25/2010]
Minneapolis, MN
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| Extra! Extra! Read all about the Big Wu's recent appearances. |
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[7/11/2009]
Geneva, MN
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[7/10/2009]
Geneva, MN
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[7/3/2009]
Minneapolis, MN
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[6/18/2009]
Minneapolis, MN
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[5/23/2009]
Geneva, MN
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Whenever the Big Wu is in the news, we try to track it down and post it here. However, this doesn't happen without help! If you know of an article we're missing, please let us know by sending us a note.
The Big Wu - Live in San Francisco
4/28/2004
Read Article
Author: Ted Silverman
Author: Pause Record
Hailing from Minneapolis, MN, the Big Wu produce a pleasant pallet of jam-oriented music heavily laden with twin guitar harmonies, strong musicianship and well crafted hook-heavy tunes. The Big Wu are on the road throughout California this month in support of their 1999 Phoenix Rising debut release, "Tracking Buffalo Through the Bathtub."
On Friday April 7 at the Depot in the SF State University Student Center they played two tight sets of music from their latest CD. The five-piece unit features Al Oikari on keys, Padre Pienbique on bass, Jason Fladager on guitar and vocals, Terrry Van DeWalker on drums and vocals and Chris Castino on guitar and vocals. Their sound could best be described as a mixture of the twin guitar approach of the Allman Brothers, mixed with the funky song craft of Phish blended with the melodic noodling and guitar tonality of Jerry Garcia.
It would seem from the thin turnout at this free event that the nature and quality of the average collegiate "music freak" has changed significantly since the salad days of the Grateful Dead, when universities were hotbeds of interest in young touring bands. Free shows with giveaway promotions tend to draw crowds regardless of who entertains. But for some reason this performance failed to garner a big turnout at SF State. This may be due to the change in taste of the current generation of college students towards a more electronic or rave-oriented direction. Regardless of turnout, the Big Wu went a long way toward showcasing their skills and strength as a touring band in the eyes and ears of those who did attend.
The band plays with well-honed chops and an obvious sense of familiarity with each other. Their music has an easy pace and a loose style to it. Drummer Terry Van DeWalker sang several tunes. His place in the poorly lit background of the tiny stage did little to convey his impact but his skills as a singing drummer were strong. Chris Castino seems to be the de facto leader of this quintet and his middle of the stage presence shined with a fine singing voice, wicked stinging tone and a facile ease on the frets. Second guitarist Jason Fladager was a perfect foil for Castino's hot blooded lead guitar work with a distinctly smooth tone of his own.
The Big Wu gets a lot of tasteful mileage out of their, at times, twin lead guitar approach to the hooks in many of their songs. Tunes such as "Kangaroo," and "Midnight Rudy," suggest the two spoons in a drawer tightness of this duet-style approach with great impact. On "Bloodhound," Castino and Fladager add punch with harmonies picked on acoustic guitars. They give away an unsubtle hint of their influence by invoking a slightly altered riff from the Allman Brothers twin guitar chestnut "Revival" to close the song.
The number one cut from "Tracking Buffalo," "Silcanturnitova," is a sparkling gem of funky production, lead guitar and funky groove. It was a treat to hear this tune live at SF State but the framework of the studio CD really gives the disc some solid punch. The CD as a whole is a treat for those who like their jam music song-oriented. The Big Wu easily stretch out on each tune but they place each jam within the context of a well-crafted tune.
The Big Wu sponsored by Snapple's "Elements" line of soft drinks are currently on tour throughout CA in support of "Tracking Buffalo." As Phoenix Rising recording artists, this soft drink sponsored tour has provided the band with a means to gain widespread exposure without breaking their own bank accounts.
Hopefully this initial tour of California will see the return of the Big Wu for some upcoming West Coast gigs as a bigger, more independent musical presence. If their production and performance skills are any evidence they could certainly do well. A comment on the back of their CD Jewel Box states, "All songs written and re-written every show by the Big Wu." This footnote rings true when their recording is given a
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