Wagons (band)
{{Short description|Australian band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Wagons
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| alias =
| origin = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| genre = Alternative country
| years_active = {{start date|df=yes|1999}}–present
| label = Spunk!
Thirty Tigers
Six Shooter
Chapter Music
| associated_acts = Henry Wagons (solo)
Si the Philanthropist (solo)
| website = http://www.wagonsmusic.com
| current_members = Henry Wagons (Henry Krips) - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard
Mark "Tuckerbag" Dawson - Drums, Bass Guitar
Si "Philanthropist" Francis – Drums, Bass guitar
Richard Blazé - Guitar
John Guscott - Guitar
Matthew "Softmoods" Hassett – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
}}
Wagons are an Australian alt-country band from Melbourne, Australia, led by singer/songwriter/television and radio presenter Henry Wagons.
History
The band was formed in Melbourne in 1999 by Henry Wagons with his school friends from Glen Waverley in Melbourne; Si "The Philanthropist" Francis, Richard Blazé, Steve "Harmony" Hassett and Mark "Tuckerbag" Dawson.{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/wagons-ready-to-roll/2009/05/28/1243456661021.html?page=2 |title=Wagons ready to roll - Music - Entertainment |website=Theage.com.au |date=29 May 2009 |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320230337/https://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/wagons-ready-to-roll/2009/05/28/1243456661021.html?page=2 |archive-date=20 March 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nucountry.com.au/articles/diary/previews2006/series5/preview_episode5.htm |title=Preview of Episode 5 - Series 5 |website=Nucountry.com.au |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321212626/http://nucountry.com.au/articles/diary/previews2006/series5/preview_episode5.htm |archive-date=21 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=https://chaptermusic.com/store/wagons/trying-to-get-home/ |title=Trying To Get Home by Wagons |website=Chaptermusic.com |date=2013-11-08 |access-date=2016-01-20}}
The band has cited influences including Johnny Cash, Scott Walker, Nick Cave and Vegas-era Elvis on their musical style. A regular feature of their live shows is a version of the Wayfaring Strangers song "Willie Nelson".{{cite web|title = iPod anxiety – Henry Wagons Taste in Music|url = http://www.tasteinmusic.com.au/2014/06/03/ipod-anxiety-henry-wagons/|website = Tasteinmusic.com.au|access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305231458/http://www.tasteinmusic.com.au/2014/06/03/ipod-anxiety-henry-wagons/|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}} They are known for their energetic and dramatic indie country rock performances in which Henry Wagons engages in banter with the audience {{cite web |url=http://doublej.net.au/news/features/how-1960s-bollywood-music-informed-wagons-latest-album |title=How 1960s Bollywood Music Informed Wagons' Latest Album |publisher=Double J |date=2014-05-19 |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213181228/http://doublej.net.au/news/features/how-1960s-bollywood-music-informed-wagons-latest-album |archive-date=13 February 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} between songs.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/all-aboard-the-band-wagons/story-fniwj43s-1226927366503 |title=All Aboard The Band Wagons |newspaper=The Australian |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523170421/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/all-aboard-the-band-wagons/story-fniwj43s-1226927366503 |archive-date=23 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
Henry Wagons is the grandson of Henry Krips,{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Graham |title=HENRY WAGONS INTERVIEWED (2014): The write stuff |url=https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/6526/henry-wagons-interviewed-2014-the-write-stuff/ |website=Elsewhere |access-date=14 January 2025}} a Viennese emigree conductor of the South Australian Symphony Orchestra.{{cite web|title = Henry Wagons' eccentricity has Nick Cave's backing|url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/henry-wagons-eccentricity-has-nick-caves-backing-20140515-38cn2.html|website = The Sydney Morning Herald| date=15 May 2014 |access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150815183037/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/henry-wagons-eccentricity-has-nick-caves-backing-20140515-38cn2.html|archive-date = 15 August 2015|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/wagons-roll-into-town-for-the-ride-of-your-life/story-fnk0b1gl-1226960349697 |title=Category |publisher=NT News |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705194619/http://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/wagons-roll-into-town-for-the-ride-of-your-life/story-fnk0b1gl-1226960349697 |archive-date=5 July 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} He was named one of the 100 most influential people in Melbourne by the AGE magazine in 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/watch-those-wagons-rumble-shake-and-tumble/article592076/forms/? | title=Watch those Wagons rumble, shake and tumble | newspaper=The Globe and Mail | first=Brad | last=Wheeler | date=28 August 2011 | access-date=19 March 2018 }}{{cite web |author=Heather Phares |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/henry-wagons-mn0002742261/biography |title=Henry Wagons | Biography & History |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215012023/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/henry-wagons-mn0002742261/biography |archive-date=15 February 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Prior to forming the band, Henry (as Henry Krips), was synthesizer player in a Melbourne improvisational quartet called Dworzec.{{cite web |url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/aussieunderground.html |title=Australia Underground |website=Furious.com |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121025314/http://www.furious.com/perfect/aussieunderground.html |archive-date=21 January 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|title = Henry Wagons {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/henry-wagons-mn0002742261/biography|website = AllMusic|access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160215012023/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/henry-wagons-mn0002742261/biography|archive-date = 15 February 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
Wagons released their first album in 2000. On 11 March 2002 they released their second album Trying To Get Home on Chapter Music.{{cite web|title = Wagons - Trying To Get Home|url = http://www.discogs.com/Wagons-Trying-To-Get-Home/release/4406215|website = Discogs|access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180320170424/https://www.discogs.com/Wagons-Trying-To-Get-Home/release/4406215|archive-date = 20 March 2018|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}{{cite web|title = Wagons {{!}} Album Discography {{!}} AllMusic|url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wagons-mn0001938209/discography|website = AllMusic|access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308233007/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wagons-mn0001938209/discography|archive-date = 8 March 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
On 26 July 2004, they released Draw Blood on Spunk Records. The Curse of Lightning was released on 15 October 2007 on Spunk Records.
The Rise and Fall of Goodtown was released on 21 April 2009 on Spunk Records. The album was produced by Cornel Wilczek.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/homeandhosed/blog/s2579812.htm |title=Wagons - Good Sounds | Blog Archive | Home & Hosed | triple j |website=Abc.net.au |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426183739/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/homeandhosed/blog/s2579812.htm |archive-date=26 April 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In 2009 they won The Age EG Best Band and Best Album awards.{{cite web|title = EG's Dock and roll of honour|url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/egs-dock-and-roll-of-honour-20100218-oieq.html|website = The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date = 2016-01-18}}
Rumble Shake and Tumble was released on 16 August 2011 on Spunk Records, and was again produced by Cornel Wilczek.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wagons-mn0001938209/discography|title=Wagons | Album Discography|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2016-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308233007/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wagons-mn0001938209/discography|archive-date=8 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Wagons toured in the US and Canada appearing at the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle in September 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.thesnipenews.com/music/festivals/bumbershoot-2011 |title=Bumbershoot 2011 Sept 3 - The Snipe |website=Thesnipenews.com |date=4 September 2011 |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223054917/http://www.thesnipenews.com/music/festivals/bumbershoot-2011/ |archive-date=23 February 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} They won The Age EG awards for Best Band, and the Best Album award for Rumble Shake and Tumble.{{cite web|title = Gotye and Wagons dominate 2011 EG Awards|url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/gotye-and-wagons-dominate-2011-eg-awards-20111124-1nwmr.html|website = The Sydney Morning Herald| date=24 November 2011 |access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180321130359/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/gotye-and-wagons-dominate-2011-eg-awards-20111124-1nwmr.html|archive-date = 21 March 2018|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}} The album also won the Best Independent Country Album award in the Jägermeister Independent Music Awards 2011.{{cite web|title = Winners announced for the 2011 Jagermeister Independent Music Awards {{!}} the AU review|url = http://www.theaureview.com/news/winners-announced-for-the-2011-jagermeister-independent-music-awards|website = the AU review|access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160301113543/http://www.theaureview.com/news/winners-announced-for-the-2011-jagermeister-independent-music-awards|archive-date = 1 March 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
Wagons performed in the US and appeared at SXSW in March 2011.{{cite web|title = Loading up the Wagons|url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/loading-up-the-wagons-20110714-1hegz.html|website = The Sydney Morning Herald| date=14 July 2011 |access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721113740/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/loading-up-the-wagons-20110714-1hegz.html|archive-date = 21 July 2011|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
Acid Rain and Sugar Cane was released on 16 May 2014 on Spunk Records. The album was produced by Mick Harvey of the Bad Seeds, who also played on the album. Wagons again toured North America in 2014 appearing at festivals including the Vancouver Folk Festival,{{cite web|title = Wagons|url = http://thefestival.bc.ca/artists/wagons/|website = Vancouver Folk Music Festival| date=11 April 2014 |access-date = 2016-01-18|language = en-US|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140906010254/http://thefestival.bc.ca/artists/wagons/|archive-date = 6 September 2014|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}} Montreal Jazz Festival,{{cite web |url=http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/program/concert.aspx?id=11673 |title=Concert: Wagons - Festival International de Jazz de Montréal |website=Montrealjazzfest.com |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709084653/http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/program/concert.aspx?id=11673 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} and RBC Ottawa Bluesfest.{{cite web|title = RBC Bluesfest Ottawa: Wagons|url = http://rbcbluesfestottawa2014.sched.org/event/83c61f79e870c1c10eed0d8649d2916b#.VUsQ_OtzrFI|website = Rbcbluesfestottawa2014.sched.org|access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123201/http://rbcbluesfestottawa2014.sched.org/event/83c61f79e870c1c10eed0d8649d2916b#.VUsQ_OtzrFI|archive-date = 4 March 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
Wagons have toured extensively in Australia as well as in New Zealand, the US and Canada, appearing at music festivals including SXSW, Bumbershoot, Montreal Jazz Festival, Bluesfest, Big Day Out and Laneway.{{cite web|title = HENRY WAGONS INTERVIEWED (2104): The write stuff|url = http://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/6526/henry-wagons-interviewed-2104-the-write-stuff/|website = Elsewhere by Graham Reid|access-date = 2016-01-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202102524/http://www.elsewhere.co.nz/absoluteelsewhere/6526/henry-wagons-interviewed-2104-the-write-stuff/|archive-date = 2 February 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
Members
=Current=
- Henry Wagons – vocals, guitar, keyboard
- Mark "Tuckerbag" Dawson – drums, bass guitar
- Si "Philanthropist" Francis – drums, Bass guitar
- Richard Blazé – guitar
- John Guscott – guitar
- Matthew "Softmoods" Hassett – keyboards, backing vocals
=Former members=
- Chad Mason
- Steve "Harmony" Hassett
- Chris Altmann
Awards and nominations
=AIR Awards=
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011{{cite web|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/independent-music-awards-nominees-announced/|title=Independent Music Awards Nominees Announced|website=tonedeaf|date=13 September 2011|access-date=19 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.air.org.au/awards/history|title=History Wins|website=Australian Independent Record Labels Association|access-date=18 August 2020}}
|Rumble Shake and Tumble
| Best Independent Country Album
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}
=EG Awards/Music Victoria Awards=
The Music Victoria Awards (previously known as The Age EG Awards and The Age Music Victoria Awards) are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music.
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| themselves
| Best Band
| {{nom}}
|-
| The Rise and Fall of Goodtown
| Best Album
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2011
| themselves
| Best Band
| {{won}}
|-
| Rumble Shake and Tumble
| Best Album
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2014{{cite web|title = Music Victoria Unveils 2014 Genre Awards Nominees - Music Feeds|url = http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/music-victoria-unveils-2014-genre-awards-nominees/|website = Music Feeds| date=7 October 2014 |access-date = 2016-01-18|language = en-US|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307203938/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/music-victoria-unveils-2014-genre-awards-nominees/|archive-date = 7 March 2016|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
| themselves
| Best Band
| {{nom}}
|-
| Acid Rain & Sugar Cane
| Best Country Album
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of albums ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:16em;"| album details |
| scope="row"| Wretched Soul
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Trying to Get Home
|
|
| scope="row"| Draw Blood
|
|
| scope="row"| The Curse of Lightning
|
|
| scope="row"| The Rise and Fall of Goodtown
|
|
| scope="row"| Rumble, Shake and Tumble
|
|
| scope="row"| Acid Rain & Sugar Cane
|
|
| scope="row"| Songs from the Aftermath
|
|
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.wagonsmusic.com}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Australian indie rock groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1999