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The W's
| Genre: |
| Ska/Swing |
| Members: |
| Andrew Schar (vocals, guitar), Bret Barker (trumpet), Todd Gruener (bass) Valentine Hellman (tenor sax, clarinet), James Carter (alto sax), Courtney (drums) |
| For fans of: |
| Brian Setzer Orchestra, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue |
| Label: |
| Five Minute Walk |
 Discography
Trouble With X (2000)
Fourth From The Last (1998)
If you like this artist, try …
Five Iron Frenzy, Havalina Rail Co., The O.C. Supertones, The Insyderz
INTERVIEW
Back to Faith
Campus Life Sep/Oct 1999
It took a caring Christian friend to help Val Hellman of The W's rediscover God's love.
[ Go to more interviews ]
Biography (courtesy of Five Minute Walk Records)
This Oregon based, six piece, swing-influenced rock and roll band started playing together in September of 1997, and quickly rose to become one of the hottest new bands in Christian music. Andrew, James, Brian, Todd, Bret and Val found unprecedented success with the release of their debut record, Fourth From the Last, on 5 Minute Walk Records. The album's first week sales put it at #4 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and it became the highest selling debut in the history of EMI Christian Music Group. Within a year's time the W's were given more opportunities than ever: playing showcases for EMD with the likes of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Cracker, gaining the opening spot on dc Talk's 65 city "Supernatural Tour" (playing to 400,000+), claiming two Dove Awards, and having their #1 hit song and video, "The Devil is Bad" included on numerous compilations (including WOW '99, selling more that 850,000 units). Not bad for a band that was playing pizza parlors in Corvallis, OR a year before.
The W's have been surrounded by plenty of momentum, including a debut album that has sold more than 200,000 units and recently covering "The Rumor Weed Song" which was included on the Veggietales "Rumor Weed" video and soundtrack as well as WOW 2000. The W's are back with their sophomore release Trouble With X. This album, produced by Masaki, is filled with the same high energy and danceable tunes. Their songwriting also reflects a growth and maturity that comes from realizing their God-given opportunity to speak to and encourage today's young people. The doors seem to keep opening at every turn. With their newest release, The W's are expanding their audience and continue to build relationships with others, sharing the hope they have found in a relationship with Christ through their music and their lives.
Interviews
Campus Life Sep/Oct 1999, Back to Faith
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