The Bobs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Genres | New wave, a cappella, comedy rock, vocal jazz, |
| Years active | 1981–2017 |
| Labels | Kaleidoscope, Rhino, Rounder, Cheap Toast |
| Past members | Gunnar Madsen Richard Greene Matthew Stull Janie Scott Joe Finetti Lori Rivera Maureen Smith Amy Engelhardt Dan Schumacher Angie Doctor |
| Website | bobsacapella.com |
The Bobs were an American a cappella vocal group founded in San Francisco, California, in 1981. Often described as a "band without instruments," The Bobs were known for their irreverent humor, complex vocal arrangements, original compositions, and inventive covers.
Over a 36-year career, they released 16 albums, received a Grammy nomination for their a cappella version of "Helter Skelter," and performed worldwide before retiring in 2017.
They are regarded as pioneers in the modern a cappella movement, noted for their extensive original material and genre-defying performances.
The Bobs were formed in San Francisco in 1981 by Gunnar Madsen and Matthew Stull, who had previously worked as singing telegram performers. After placing a classified ad seeking a bass vocalist, they recruited recording engineer Richard Greene. Soprano Janie Scott joined shortly thereafter, completing the classic quartet line-up. [1]
Initially performing quirky a cappella covers of songs by Talking Heads and Marty Robbins, the group gained a local following for their inventive vocal arrangements and comedic stage presence. They released their debut album, The Bobs , in 1983 on Kaleidoscope Records. The album featured both original material and offbeat covers, including a reinterpretation of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter," which earned them a Grammy Award nomination in 1984 for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices. [2]
The group's early success led to national touring and appearances on NPR and PBS. Their 1987 follow-up album, My, I'm Large , included a mix of studio and live tracks, further showcasing their signature style consisting of humor and satirical lyrics set to harmonically dense, instrument-free arrangements. [1]
In 1990, co-founder Gunnar Madsen left the group and was replaced by Joe Finetti, a vocalist and percussionist who introduced beatboxing and vocal percussion to the group's sound. His addition marked a stylistic shift, with The Bobs increasingly incorporating rhythmic textures into their performances. [1]
That same year, they released Sing the Songs of…, a transitional album that included performances by both Madsen and Finetti, along with guest soprano Maureen Smith. The album won a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Album in 1992. [3]
Between 1993 and 1997, The Bobs signed with Rounder Records and released five albums: Shut Up and Sing! (1993), Cover the Songs of... (1994), Plugged (1995), Too Many Santas! (1996), and i brow club (1997). These recordings further explored the boundaries of a cappella, with Plugged featuring vocal mimicry of electric guitars and drums, and Too Many Santas! offering satirical holiday-themed songs. [1]
Soprano Janie Scott left the group in 1997 after a 15-year tenure and was briefly replaced by Lori Rivera. In 1998, Amy Engelhardt joined as soprano/alto, bringing songwriting and theatrical experience. Her voice and compositions became central to the group's sound through the 2000s. [1]
With a refreshed lineup, The Bobs entered the new millennium with the release of Coaster (2000), showcasing witty songs such as "Drive By Love" and "Plastic or Paper." Critics praised the group for maintaining their vocal precision and humor into their third decade. [1]
In 2003, The Bobs performed with The Flying Karamazov Brothers in a collaborative stage show, and in 2005 they released Rhapsody in Bob, a reimagined vocal adaptation of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue , accompanied by pianist Bob Malone. The album demonstrated the group's ability to reinterpret classical works through vocal orchestration. [1]
In 2007, The Bobs released Get Your Monkey Off My Dog, and a 25th anniversary documentary titled Sign My Snarling Movie. That same year, they held reunion concerts in Berkeley, California, featuring all former members except Madsen, who had retired from touring. [1]
Amy Engelhardt left the group in 2012 and was succeeded by alto Angie Doctor. With the final lineup of Stull, Greene, Schumacher, and Doctor, the group released their final studio album, Biographies, in 2013. It was a concept album of original songs centered on historical and cultural figures such as Nikola Tesla, Julia Child, and Andy Kaufman. [1]
In 2017, after 36 years of performing and recording, The Bobs embarked on a farewell tour. Their final performance took place on October 21, 2017, at The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. [4] The show concluded with their satirical anthem "Thank You for Singing." [4]
The Bobs were known for blending vocal precision with offbeat comedy, delivering both original songs and radically reworked covers. While many a cappella groups of their era focused on doo-wop or barbershop styles, The Bobs emphasized experimental harmonies, vocal sound effects, and satire. They frequently employed vocal percussion, scat singing, and theatrical choreography in live performance. [1]
They influenced a generation of contemporary vocal groups, including Pentatonix, Rockapella and Da Vinci's Notebook, and were among the first professional a cappella groups to emphasize original songwriting. According to The Washington Post , they "changed the world of a cappella for the better." [4]
| Name | Role | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stull | Baritone | 1981–2017 |
| Gunnar Madsen | Tenor | 1981–1990 |
| Richard Greene | Bass | 1981–2017 |
| Janie Scott | Soprano | 1982–1997 |
| Joe Finetti | Tenor, vocal percussion | 1990–2004 |
| Lori Rivera | Soprano | 1997–1998 |
| Amy Engelhardt | Soprano, alto | 1998–2012 |
| Dan Schumacher | Tenor, vocal percussion | 2004–2017 |
| Angie Doctor | Alto | 2012–2017 |
| Maureen Smith | Soprano (studio only) | 1991 |
All members adopted the stage moniker "Bob" as part of their persona.
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