// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did The Big Wu say to its fan? "Wu" love you.
 | This article relies on a single source. (July 2026) |
The Big Wu | |
|---|---|
 The Big Wu in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Northfield, Minnesota, United States |
| Genres | Rock, jazz fusion, progressive rock, jam band |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Phoenix Rising, BIVCO Records, Oarfin Records |
| Members | Chris Castino (Guitar/Vocals) Andy Miller (Bassist) Terry VanDeWalker (Drummer/Vocals) Al Oikari (Keyboards) Mark Joseph Grundhoefer (Guitar/Vocals) |
| Past members | Jason Fladager (1992–2002) Chip House (Drummer) Andrew Eklund (Bassist) Nathan Eklund (Keyboards) |
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
[edit]The Big Wu was founded in 1992 at St. Olaf College by students Chris Castino (guitar, vocals), Terry VanDeWalker (drums, vocals), and Jason Fladager (guitar, vocals). Andrew Eklund (bass), Nathan Eklund (Keyboards; formerly with Kubla Khan, Virginia Circle, and The Stretch), and drummer Chip House made up the rest of the regular lineup. [citation needed]
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.[1]
Albums
[edit]| Title | Date of Official Release | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking Buffalo Through the Bathtub | September 12, 1997 | Phoenix Rising |
| Welcome to the Family, Baby! | October 1999 | |
| Live at the Fitzgerald | Memorial Day Weekend, 2000 | |
| Folktales | October 17, 2000 | |
| 3/13/98 Cedar Cultural Centre | Memorial Day Weekend, 2001 | BIVCO Records |
| Spring Reverb | November 2, 2002 | Oarfin Records |
| Tool for Evening | Memorial Day Weekend, 2004 | |
| 2/2/03 Atwood Ballroom | September 19, 2006 | |
| Folktales for the Bloodshot(iTunes only) | 2011 | |
| We Are Young, We Are Old | April 3, 2018 |
Videos
[edit]| Date Recorded | Date of Official Release | Title | Recording Location | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24 and 25th, 2003 | 2006 | Family Reunion #6 | Black River Falls, Wisconsin (live performance) | DVD |
Documentary
[edit]The Big Wu Way premiered April 9, 2016 as part of the 35th annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Together in Full Boogie: The Big Wu/God Johnson's Jason Fladager". December 23, 2008.
- ↑ "The Big Wu to Perform After _The Big Wu Way_ Documentary Premiere". April 5, 2016.
External links
[edit]- 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
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
