The Big Wu is a rock jam band from Minnesota. The group is composed of Al Oikari, Andy Miller, Chris Castino, Mark Joseph Grundhoefer, and Terry VanDeWalker. The band made a mark on the jam band scene with a reputation for hook-oriented songwriting and as one of the earliest jam bands from the Midwest to achieve some national success. Relentless touring in the late 1990s and early 2000s built a loyal fan base that call themselves "family", many of whom get together for the band's recurring music festival, the Big Wu Family Reunion. From 1998–2006, the band annually held the Family Reunion on Memorial Weekend, and they frequently hold a Wu Years Eve event on December 31. The band has not toured extensively since the end of 2006, instead playing periodic shows in their home state of Minnesota and other nearby states.
History The Big Wu was founded in 1992 at St. Olaf College by students Castino and VanDeWalker along with Jason Fladager (guitar, vocals). Andrew Eklund (bass), Nathan Eklund (Keyboards; formerly with Kubla Khan, Virginia Circle, and The Stretch), and drummer Chip House.
During the 2002 Harvest Festival at Harmony Park Music Garden in Geneva Minnesota, the Big Wu played two nights. The first was guitarist Fladager's last show. A few days later the band announced that Fladager had left the band, which became a four-piece. Fladager started his own band called God Johnson.
Albums TitleDate of Official ReleaseLabelTracking Buffalo Through the BathtubSeptember 12, 1997Phoenix RisingWelcome to the Family, Baby!October 1999Live at the FitzgeraldMemorial Day Weekend, 2000FolktalesOctober 17, 20003/13/98 Cedar Cultural Centre Memorial Day Weekend, 2001BIVCO RecordsSpring Reverb November 2, 2002Oarfin RecordsTool for EveningMemorial Day Weekend, 20042/2/03 Atwood BallroomSeptember 19, 2006Folktales for the Bloodshot(iTunes only)2011We Are Young, We Are OldApril 3, 2018
Videos Date RecordedDate of Official ReleaseTitleRecording LocationMediumMay 24 and 25th, 2003 2006Family Reunion #6Black River Falls, Wisconsin (live performance)DVD
Documentary The Big Wu Way premiered April 9, 2016 as part of the 35th annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.
References
External links Official band website Big Wu Family Reunion The Big Wu collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive The Big Wu downloads at JamRadio.org