Les Cowboys Fringants
Les Cowboys Fringants are a band which performs Quebecois néo-trad music, modernized Quebec folklore music with a rock flavor. Les Cowboys also draw much on Country music. They are famously from the town (and relatively distant Montreal suburb) of Repentigny, Quebec. The lyrics are written by everyone, especially guitar player J-F Pauzé. Practically no song of theirs, no matter if the subject matter is serious or not, is not colored by clever irony in prose and form.
Profile
Les Cowboys Fringants (which would litterally translate to The frisky cowboys) are a popular musical band and cult phenomenon, especially within the young and politically aware of the Quebec society. They have also gained an international underground following, especially in France and Switzerland. There even exists a group of French fans called Les Cousins Fringants, a take on the expression cousin that the French and Quebecois use to affectionately call each other.
They represent an important poster group of three movements of modern Quebec music. First, they are part of the néo-trad movement that appeared in Quebec around the turn of the 21st century, like the Mes Aïeux band. Second, they embody the resurgence of Quebec political songwriting, after the draught of the 1980s and parts of the 90s in this respect, political songwriting being a victim to the Post-Referendum Syndrome. As the néo-trad movement adapts the Quebec folklore to contemporary crafts, the political message of Les Cowboys is the comeback of 1970's chansonnier activist messages of left-wing solidarity and sovereigntism, in a distictly modern-day phrasing. Finally, they sometimes adopt a dadaist-like trend of the Quebec music scene of the 2000's decade of volontary simple (but nonetheless quite intelligent) and Joual lyrics, therefore subversive and akin to a sort of lyrical naive art (the 70's did see a first wave of volontary Joual art, like the songs of Robert Charlebois and Aut'chose, and the plays of Michel Tremblay, although not as willingly exagerated). This is even more present in the music of Les Trois Accords, Les Denis Drolet, Daniel Boucher, or in Lapalme's song Carole, for example.
Some of group usual subjects of predilection are: environmentalism, poverty, personal anguish and family troubles, as well as the denounciation of consumerism, corporate exploitation, state-controled gambling, cynical governmental attitude and popular political apathy. While some of those subjects are serious in appearance, they are often treated in a lighter manner, sometimes even in a fun, amusing and very ironic way. Also subject to their art is Quebec history, Quebec independence, the suburban life, childhood and teenage nostalgy, kitsch and kitsch lifestyles, romantic relationships, and sports. Their songwriting is reknown to have woven an elaborate tapestry of fictional characters with interpersonal relationships. Some of those characters sometimes appear in more than one tune. Much like their writing, the clothes of the male members are sometimes singular, purposely normal or kitsch looking, and something of a postmodern, second degree artistic statement. Fans have followed the trend by massively wearing the equally kitsch t-shirts and other official clothing, with the group logo, that the band issues. Les Cowboys are noted fans of Passe-Partout music composer Pierre F. Brault and performed shows in his honor.
Much of the uniqueness and virtuosity of their music comes from Marie-Annick Lépine, a remarkably versatile musician, that makes the band line up distinct from the conventional guitar-bass-drums and signer frontman rock bands. From her talents come the vivacious sounds of the violin, the mandoline, the accordeon, and other instruments. Final staples of the band are their explosive live performances, captured on the Attache ta tuque live album and the Live au Centre Bell DVD, their down-to-earth character and their closeness to fans in person and on the web.
Notable songs
En Berne
A major denouciation anthem that proved to be one of the group's biggest hits. It attacks the Quebecois political apathy of present times (regarding the environment and Quebec independence), State gambling and cynicism of the government regarding poverty. If this is modern Quebec, well I put my flag at half mast, and the clowns that govern us can all get bent; If you're happy with this country (Quebec), well my man that's your opinion, you must be the CEO of some company!
Le Gars d'la compagnie
It speaks of Trois-Rivieres workers and the Quebec forest, as well as aboriginals, being exploited by American businessmen before the Quiet Revolution. This might be one of the only songs with little irony in form (although some lyrical passages are indeed ironic). And the guy from the company was laughing secretly; Who's the idiot that says that money doesn't grow on trees!
La Manifestation
It comically chronicals a public protest, led by a guy that thought he was Castro, that ends up beign a major disapointment and disillusionment.
Mon Pays
Mon Pays, suivi du Reel des Aristocrates is a very humorous song, paving the ludicrous theory that much of the Quebec independence-related defeats of the Quebec people throughout its history (the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, the Patriotes Rebellion and the October Crisis) are caused by an almost endemic tradition of drunkenness. The Patriotes rebelled, the English regime will have to fall, they got out their ceintures fléchées! The Patriotes all agreed: to acheive victory, we will have to stop drinking!
Le Plombier
A thoroughly farcial song about a grotesque plumber sharing the name of hockey great Guy Lafleur, speaking fanatically about wrestling not being fake. The song grew out of a bet made to J-F Pauzé by signer Karl Tremblay to manage writing a song with bizarre, random expressions like Jaromir Jagr haircut, butt crack and Velveeta. And since that time, when I see the real Guy Lafleur on TV; I always have a little thought for a fat badly raised plumber!
Quand je r'garde
It is an romantic, but upbeat song; the only one to have been sang (as main, not backing vocals) by female member Marie-Annick Lépine.
Québécois de souche
A comical complete critical mocking of the anglicisms of the popular language of some Quebecers, and their corny lifestyles. I am an old-stock Quebecois... My Bill 101, don't you dare touch it; It's not that I don't know how to speak well... but I'm an anglicized idiot...'
La Sainte paix
It is a song in opposition to the war in Iraq. Come, let us resist, my brothers, to the stupidity of the military; in our village of Astérix, at the North of America! The village of Asterix (a French comic book character) is a common analogy made by Quebecers, Quebec being a relatively small society surrounded in an overly English speaking continent, much like the Gaul village of Astérix is surrounded by the Roman Empire.
Su'mon Big Wheel (C'tait l'fun)
One of the ultimate Cowboys naive art-like song. A silly 10 seconds piece with the title constituting the entire lyrics (On my Big Wheel, 'twas fun!). A Big Wheel is a childhood plastic tricycle toy.
Toune d'automne
A piece where the signer fondly speaks to a sister that came back from a trip to English Canada. Signer Karl Tremblay famously likes to make a sovereigntist humorous political statement on stage by replacing the verse Promise me that this time, you're staying home for good by Promise my that you didn't turn into a federalist, little dammit!
Members
- Karl Tremblay (vocals)
- Jean-François "J-F" Pauzé (guitar)
- Marie-Annick Lépine (violin, piano, banjo, etc.)
- Dominique "Dom" Lebeau (drums)
- Jérôme Dupras (bass guitar)
Filmography
- Live au Centre Bell - (April 13, 2004)
Discography
- 12 Grandes chansons
- Sur mon canapé
- Môtel Capri - (April 4, 2000)
- Enfin Réunis (12 grandes chansons + Sur Mon Canapé) - (November 20, 2001)
- Break syndical - (March 5, 2002)
- Attache ta tuque! - (May 13, 2003)
See also
- Néo-trad
- Quebec sovereigntism
- Politics of Quebec
- List of Quebec musicians
- Music of Quebec
- Culture of Quebec
External Links
- Official site (in French)
- Guide of the fictional characters found in their songs (in French)
- Audio excerpts on Archambault.ca