Album Notes

Cod Gone Wild is pleased to announce the release of their self-titled debut album. The band has produced a unique, energetically modern blend of original, traditional and contemporary Celtic, Irish and Newfoundland music that is positively infectious.



The “Cods” have melded veteran musicians from diverse musical backgrounds such as folk, rock, jazz, and funk, to create a modern Celtic sound with driving rhythms and tight vocal harmonies. Cod Gone Wild was born when Newfoundlander and lead singer/guitarist Andrew Mercer made the move to British Columbia in 2009. With him he brought a passion for traditional Irish/Newfoundland music and a vision to create something unique in British Columbia and Canada, while promoting the culture, heritage, and music that he has grown up listening to and performing since the age of five. With the musical team of Pete Kerr (fiddle), Betty Anne Northup (Piano, vocals), and Chad “Rhino” Carter (Drums, Vocals) the vision has become a reality and has evolved into something special in a very short time.



Songs on the album range from original songs such as Sociable, written to pay tribute to George Street (a street made up of only pubs, clubs and restaurants, located in historic downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland) and the very popular East Coast Toast from which the song takes its name, and Folkdance, a song written by Rhino to pay tribute to one of his musical idols, Neil Young. The album also has several traditional tracks with new arrangements, such as the Newfoundland classic Cod Liver Oil, the Irish traditional songs Banks of the Roses and Tell me Ma, and the Scottish version of the well known drinking song Nancy Whiskey. The Cods have also drawn on some more recently written classics such as Dirty Old Town by the late Ewan MacColl and Rambles of Spring written by the late Tommy Makem from the popular Irish duo Makem and Clancy.

The band has just finished up a very busy summer/fall schedule performing in excess of 35 shows since June. They are looking forward to hitting the road for clubs, festivals and theaters across Canada in 2011 to promote the album. Get ready for Jigginitis to infect a city near you!