The Tragically Hip

Over the course of nearly two decades and over ten albums, Canada’s The Tragically Hip has achieved the enviable status of beloved band—one that enjoys both mass popularity and critical acclaim. Formed in 1983 in Kingston, Ontario, The Tragically Hip came together as childhood friends: Gordon Downie (vocals), Bobby Baker (guitar), Paul Langlois (guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass), and Johnny Fay (drums). The group took their name from a Michael Nesmith video entitled Elephant Parts and ... [ more ] Over the course of nearly two decades and over ten albums, Canada’s The Tragically Hip has achieved the enviable status of beloved band—one that enjoys both mass popularity and critical acclaim.

Formed in 1983 in Kingston, Ontario, The Tragically Hip came together as childhood friends: Gordon Downie (vocals), Bobby Baker (guitar), Paul Langlois (guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass), and Johnny Fay (drums). The group took their name from a Michael Nesmith video entitled Elephant Parts and focused on making a name for themselves in the local scene during the mid-'80s. A self-titled EP was released in 1987, but it took the band two years to get critical attention. After the release of their first proper studio album Up to Here (1989), college radio was instantly attracted to The Tragically Hip.

Downie recalls the days of discovery and wonder that were the late '80s for The Tragically Hip. "We didn't have a lot of guile, and some say we still don't," he says. "Every whiff of interest or approval distilled itself into confidence, and anything that wasn't confidence was just well-disguised insecurity. We also had a very self-deprecating sense of humour, collectively, so we turned all those kinds of sad-sack stories into tales of triumph. Heading onto the stage then, we were grateful for every friend we had."

The band's third album, Fully Completely (1993), allowed for international crossover with singles such as "Courage" and "Wheat Kings”. While sold-out tours across Canada and Midwest America, and a spot on Saturday Night Live catapulted The Tragically Hip onto the rock charts. Phantom Power (1998) was recorded in the band's hometown of Kingston and the songs themselves were cathartic and seductive. "Fireworks" and "Poets" were again popular on college radio.

In 2004 The Tragically Hip released their tenth full-length album, In Between Evolution, the band’s most introspective work yet. The following year saw the release of Hipeponymous, a limited-edition box set that included the two-disc greatest-hits compilation Yer Favorites and the live DVD That Night in Toronto, as well as a bonus DVD of all of the group's videos.

In April 2005, The Tragically Hip were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Winnipeg Convention Centre during Juno Weekend celebrations.

World Container, The Tragically Hip's eleventh studio LP, finds the Canadian quintet going for their biggest sound to date. Produced by Bob Rock (Mötley Crüe, Metallica), World Container reaches for the brightest sound imaginable. This ten-song set comes off with as much fever as the band's live shows, and Downie is able to capture his bona fide rock star appeal on the record. Songs such as "Yer Not the Ocean" and "In View" retain that intoxicating energy that has made The Tragically Hip one of the decade's favorite concert draws. Getting back to a simple approach might have been a difficult find at first, but World Container does it all without losing sight of what The Tragically Hip have achieved in their 20-plus years in the business, once again solidifying their mark on alternative rock. [ less ]