Da Yoopers
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| Da Yoopers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ishpeming, Michigan, USA |
| Genre(s) | Comedy |
| Years active | 1975-present |
| Label(s) | You Guys |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Jim Bellmore Dick Bunce Lynn Coffey Jim DeCaire Reggie Lusardi Robert Nebel Bobby Symons |
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| Former members | |
| See below | |
Da Yoopers is a travelling comedy show and musical group from Ishpeming, Michigan, United States. They are known primarily for their humorous songs and skits, most of which center around life in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.[1][2] The band's name includes the term "Yooper", a popular slang for residents of Michigan's Upper Peninsula; the use of "da" instead of "the" is a reflection of the Yooper dialect.
Between 1986 and the present, Da Yoopers have released thirteen studio albums, all on their personal label, You Guys Records. The band's lineup currently comprises Jim Bellmore (lead guitar, vocals), Richard Bunce (bass guitar, vocals), Lynn Coffey (keyboards, vocals), Jim DeCaire (drums, percussion, vocals), Reggie Lusardi (bass guitar, vocals), and Bobby Symons (drums). All of the band members, along with several additional stage actors, also perform comedy skits that correspond with the songs.
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[edit] History
Da Yoopers was founded in 1975 by drummer Jim DeCaire and guitarist Joe Potila, along with keyboardist Lynn Anderson and bass guitarist Jim Pennell.[1] The band toured throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula for several years, before recording their first album, Yoopanese, in 1986 on their personal label, You Guys Records. A second album, Culture Shock, was released a year later. This second album featured several comedy songs, including "Second Week of Deer Camp" and "Rusty Chevrolet" (the latter a re-write of "Jingle Bells"), both of which became local hits.[1][2] In addition, "Second Week of Deer Camp" would later be used on several Dr. Demento shows. This album also featured humorous dialogue and skits between songs, a feature later duplicated both in concert and on subsequent albums.
By the release of Camp Fever, the band's third album, Pennell left and was replaced with "Doc" Bradbury; in addition, Lynn Anderson married Jerry Coffey, who assumed a role as percussionist and vocalist.[1] Additional members came and went on other albums, many of them local musicians who only appeared on one or two albums. Yoop It Up was released in 1989, followed by Yoopy Do Wah in 1991, the latter being the band's first release on compact disc.[1] Also that year, a compilation titled For Diehards Only was released, featuring a selection of songs from the group's first four albums (which are now out of print).
The band's 1993 album One Can Short of a 6-Pack featured a mix of regular material and Christmas songs, including a parody of "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer", titled "Grandpa Got Run Over By a Beer Truck". After the release of this album, both Joe Potila and "Doc" Bradbury departed the group. Potila was replaced with lead guitarist Jim Bellmore, who made his first appearance on the 1995 album We're Still Rockin’. Dan Collins, who had previously appeared on two other albums as a vocalist, also officially joined as rhythm guitarist (also assuming the nickname "Cowboy Dan"), and Reggie Lusardi assumed the role of bass guitarist.
Two albums were released in 2000: Jackpine Savage and Naked Elves in Cowboy Boots, the latter an album of Christmas music. Both Dan Collins and Jerry Coffey left the group soon afterward to pursue other interests. 2004 saw the release of Songs for Fart Lovers and Diehards II (a second compilation composed of songs from the first four albums), with the two-disc 21st Century Yoopers in Space following in 2006.
Various other members have also been added to the group's lineup over time, including several stage actors who act out the band's songs and skits in concerts. Additional musicians regularly perform on the band's studio albums, but not in concert; among these additional musicians is Jim DeCaire's son Jesse.
[edit] Tourist Trap
Da Yoopers also own and operate a gift shop near Ishpeming called "Da Yoopers Tourist Trap". This gift shop features various Upper Peninsula-themed merchandise.[2]
[edit] Members
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
The band has seen many changes in membership over time. Many albums feature local musicians who only appear for one or two albums.
[edit] Current members and contributors
- Glenn Adams - vocals, sketch comedy, narrator (studio only)
- Jim "Schween" Bellmore - guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, fiddle, flute, mandolin, Dobro, harmonica, banjo, vocals, sketch comedy (1995-present)
- Richard "Dick-E-Bird"/"Danglin' Dick"/"Dickling" Bunce - bass guitar, sketch comedy (1994-present)
- Lynn Coffey - accordion, keyboards, synthesizers, flute, saxophone, percussion, vocals, sketch comedy (known as Lynn Anderson until 1988) (1975-present)
- Jesse DeCaire - bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, vocals, sketch comedy (1989, 1995-present) (studio only)
- Jim "Hoolie" DeCaire - drums, percussion, vocals, sketch comedy (1975-present)
- Barbara Johnson - vocals (studio only)
- Sandy "The Toivola Twister" Kemppa - vocals (1987, 2006-present) (studio only)
- Kim Lenten - accordion, vocals (2004-present) (studio only)
- Reggie Lusardi - bass guitar, vocals, sketch comedy
- Robert "Dill" Nebel - sketch comedy
- Bobby "Sy" Symons - drums
[edit] Past members and contributors
- Terry Austin - background vocals (One Can Short of a Six-Pack)
- Dave "Doc" Bradbury - bass guitar, vocals (1988-1994)
- Jerry "Cuppa" Coffey - percussion, vocals, sketch comedy (1988-2000s)
- "Cowboy" Dan Collins - rhythm guitar, vocals, sketch comedy (1987, 1994-2000s)
- Joe DeLongchamp - vocals, sketch comedy (Camp Fever, Yoop It Up)
- Molly Frounfelter - background vocals (Yoop It Up)
- Roger Herman - vocals
- Bertha Hintsala - vocals
- Elaine Hintsala - vocals
- Terry Holmgren - banjo (Culture Shock)
- Jeff Jennings - vocals
- Chris Kukla - sketch comedy
- Jerry "Mungo" LaJoie - vocals, sketch comedy
- Pete "Casanova" LaLonde - sketch comedy
- "Billy Bob" Lansgon - sketch comedy
- John Mykkanen - vocals
- Pierre Ogea - vocals (Culture Shock)
- Jim Pennell - bass guitar, vocals (1975?-1987)
- "Dancin'" Dave Poirier - sound technician, video technician, sketch comedy
- Joe Potila - guitars, vocals (1975-1994)
- Mike "Mikku" Powers - sketch comedy
- Bruno Sarvello - garbage can bass, vocals, sketch comedy (Culture Shock, Camp Fever)
- Briana Ulrickson - background vocals (Yoop It Up)
- John von Behrens - spoons (Camp Fever)
[edit] Discography
| Album information |
|---|
Yoopanese
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Culture Shock
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Camp Fever
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Yoop It Up
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Yoopy Do Wah
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One Can Short of a 6-Pack
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For Diehards Only
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We're Still Rockin'
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Jackpine Savage
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Naked Elves in Cowboy Boots
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Songs for Fart Lovers
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Diehards II
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21st Century Yoopers in Space
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[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Weber, Barry. allmusic ((( Da Yoopers > Biography ))). All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
- ^ a b c Piirto, Jane. Da Yoopers Deconstructed (html). A Location in the Upper Peninsula. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
