What is Gunnelpumping?

Gunnelpumping is the act of standing on the lip (gunnel) at the stern of a canoe and propelling the craft forward by pumping up and down with only your legs. It's quite ungainly and requires great balance, coordination, and is potentially very dangerous.

And how exactly does this relate to music?

Gunnelpumpers bring this experience to their music. Three upright bassists (Chicago Symphony member, a top Chicago-area freelancer, and a relocated New Orleans cataclysminite) paired with two world-class hand percussionists (Las Toillitas, C.U.B.E. Ensemble) and electric guitar bring to life improvised instrumental music drawing on world, trance, rock, classical, jazz and experimental traditions, resulting in music that makes it difficult to sit completely still.

Once Gunnelpumpers start to play, they tend to keep going and - in true gunnelpumping fashion - try not to fall off. But, yes, sometimes they do tend to go overboard.

Official Bio

Gunnelpumpers was founded by bassist/composer Douglas Johnson and percussionist Randy Farr in 2002. They had met through the band, Las Toillitas, of which Randy was a member and Doug occasionally sat in with. Soon afterwards, another Las Toillitan, percussionist Douglas Brush, and Chicago Symphony bassist Michael Hovnanian joined the group. Finally, in 2006, guitarist John Meyer and bassist, composer and Katrina cataclysminite Matthew Golombisky completed the group. Their first several performances were benefit concerts for the Treehouse Animal Foundation, but now can be heard at several area clubs and events. Gunnelpumpers currently hosts the Infrasonic Sound Series monthly at the Muse Cafe in Chicago.

At the heart of Gunnelpumpers is the spirit of improvisation, and each musician brings a wide range of influences to create a unique and compelling sound. By nature Gunnelpumpers defies labels, but perhaps electro-tribal improv best describes the myriad of styles they draw from, which ranges from classical, to rock, jazz to minimalism, and Indian, African, Caribbean, and electronic music. Having such an open approach to music making, they have welcomed nearly twenty guest artists at their performances.

Gunnelpumpers have been the guest music ensemble for the Dutch National Ballet Project , as well as Dance Chicago and the Dutch National Ballet . They were featured in the Summer, 2006, issue of Double Bassist magazine, as well as the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Zero Tolerance Magazine , both UK music publications.