Wad debuted at Freefest, an outdoor festival on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, in the summer of 2001 as a noise rock trio. With only a half-dozen, slightly improvised songs, the initial three-piece formed around the wreckage of other projects, including the near infamous MadPoet.

The nucleus of the new project was singer/songwriter Forrest Jackson (Fdog) and bassist Tim Divine (El Chivo), with novice drummer Chad Gaddis. The music they were writing soon convinced Forrest and Tim that their songs deserved a bigger audience. The band independently released their first album, Clean Livin’.

The following year, Clean Livin’ producer and recording engineer Lari Peterson signed on as a second guitarist. A Zappatista with eclectic taste in music, he came to Seattle to escape the limitations of British Columbia’s remote islands. Lari, a sound engineer since 1989, has provided recording/sound for the Spud Goodman Show, The Backstage, Commonfire, and currently, Nectar and Studio V.
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Danny Zakos joined the group in late 2004. Danny was the drummer for several memorable Seattle bands, including Boomslang, The Fastbacks, and Prudence Dredge. With Danny on board, Wad released Tails from the Short Bus in December of 2006, recorded at Studio V (Vagrant Records Seattle) by Jack Endino, assisted by Lari Peterson, and mastered by Chris Hanszek. The CD featured cover art by Andy Spath (drummer for Best Kissers in the World). In spite of Wad’s successful recording, airplay on KEXP’s Sonic Reducer, and growing status as an in-your-face rock-show freak-fest, Zakos suddenly, and inextricably, decided to pursue other interests in 2008.

Wad enlisted Michael Robson, long time Seattle drummer and artist. His talent and versatility immediately impressed both the band and their fans. Prior to Wad, Michael played with CXQ5 and Grownup Trouble, and is well known in Seattle for electronic sculptures, handmade drums, and his sign art, which can be seen on the recently renovated Crocodile and Fremont’s Via Tribunali.

The bands’ sound continues to grow, ranging from a loud driving rock / metal mix to occasional punk or pop-style riffs. The Zappa influence is apparent in Lari’s guitar playing, while the lyrics show off Forrest’s skill as singer and storyteller. The complementary rhythms played by Tim & Michael make for a cohesive, impressive wall of sound.

Highly entertaining, pushing the limits of sound, words, and self-expression, it’s anyone’s guess what they’ll do or look like next time they’re onstage.

Wad has played Nectar, The Highdive, The Red Bicycle, The Monkey Pub, and Rockfest so far this year. They’re currently working on material for their third release due out soon.