When the Origin released their self-titled album on Virgin in 1990, it was with decidedly little fanfare…but if you were to take a gander at the cover now, you’d probably think, “Dude, these guys are totally trying to look like Toad the Wet Sprocket!” Seriously. I mean, here’s the cover…
…and here’s Toad:
Am I right?
In fact, it ‘s probably just coincidence, given that The Origin actually appeared at almost the same time as Toad; they just didn’t have the luxury of scoring a major radio hit to prolong their career. They did, however, have some great songs. Their debut featured songs like the pumping piano of “Growing Old,” the charming “Everyone Needs Love,” and the nice orchestration on “Who Would’ve Known.” Fans of the band, few though they may have been outside their home base, were therefore excited about the possibility of a follow-up, even though they feared that the lackluster sales of the debut might well result in the band being a one-album wonder. 1992′s Bend was almost like the work of a completely different band, however…and while I mean that in a good way now, if I’d made the same comment at the time the album was released, I probably wouldn’t have meant it that way. The group seemed less interested in ruling the charts and more interested in being themselves, tackling everything from funk to folk, though still maintaining the same melodic sensibilities. Of course, it sold accordingly…which is to say, not very well at all…but it’s still worth hunting down if you can find it.
The Origin broke up without releasing a third album, and you’d think that I’d just end this here…but, instead, I actually discovered more about the band while writing this piece, and it’s so interesting that I wanted to include it here.
I knew that the band’s de facto leader was named Michael Andrews…but what I didn’t know is that in the Origin’s original, pre-Virgin line-up was Gary Jules, who came to prominence a few years back for his cover of Tears For Fears’ “Mad World.” And to move from mad world to small world, it turns out that, not coincidentally, Michael Andrews not only played the spooky piano on the song, but he also did the entire score for “Donnie Darko,” the film in which Jules’ TFF cover received such tremendous attention. Andrews also was a major contributor to Brendan Benson’s One Mississippi and Jason Mraz’s Waiting For My Rocket To Come In, and he’s also the leader of the Greyboy Allstars, who can be heard on the soundtrack to “Zero Effect,” which Andrews also scored.
So that’s what Michael Andrews is doing…but if anyone knows what anyone else from the Origin is doing nowadays, drop a line or leave a posting.
Posted in: Artists, Lost Bands, Rock
Last I heard, Topper Rimel, bass player from the Origin, was doing design work in NYC. Rimel was more of an artist than musician (he did the cover of Bend), so he’s sort of the Stuart Sutcliffe of the band, but not dead of a brain hemorrhage.
Awesome albums. I’ve got the second one on cd, but I’m looking for the first one. Anyone have some mp3 files for the first one. Or if anyone who wants the second one, email me and I’ll email you some mp3′s.
danielmarget@hotmail.com
Danny
@DannyM
Yep got both the albums…they made quite a few stops in SLC, Utah back in the 90′s. Funny that Will the author compared them to Toad, because the first time I saw them live was with Toad. They did a really good live performance.
Loved both albums and was very surprised they never made it bigger. Saw them open for Drivin’ and Cryin’ somewhere in Fells Point, Baltimore in ’91 probably.
I loved this band after seeing them for the first time opening for Midnight Oil at the State Theatre in Ann Arbor Michigan in 1990. The following year I saw them in Pontiac Michigan at a now defunct bar called Industry. Michael Andrews as sick as all hell, but the show didn’t seem to suffer for it.
I met Roni Abada in front of their touring bus and he was gracious enough to sign the cover of the first CD. Great experience, great band, wish they’d have been able to stick it out.
I would love to get ahold of that second album.
Love both CD’s, though it’s been hard to find any info on them. I heard them first on a college radio station in 1992 or so, “Growing Old” I think. I really like how they could make such bold music with mostly acoustic instruments.
I too saw the Origin with Toad at the Fairpark Horticulture building in Salt Lake City in 1992. I was not prepared for the exceptional performances of both bands that night. The Origin swept me away and I have to say their Album”Bend” ranks #1 all-time for me. They came on stage and announced “Autonomous” and started blowing on that harmonica…the rest is history. The best $10 purchase of my life.
Thurbs, I think that I was at that same concert at the Fairgrounds. It’s one of my favs. I remember that I bought my Levi jacket the day before and I still have that jacket. Ahhh…the memories.
I was also at the Origin/Toad show in SLC. Toad actually OPENED for The Origin! I was there to see The Origin, but knew a couple of Toad songs. What a fantastic show! Too bad The Origin never went further. The next year Toad would come back with the Gin Blossoms opening. Great memories!
Daniel Silverman from the Origin is now Daniel Cage and he has had a couple of albums and done movie soundtrack work
I played the first album nonstop my freshman year of college.They were and always have been one of those mystery bands you never learned much about. I did get a random chance to see them live when they did an acoustic set at a tiny club on the Boulder campus. They were promoting the second album and, like you said, it seemed like a totally different band. And that was my Origin experience. Thanks for the 411!
I was at that same UT concert. The Origin nailed it that night. I was glad some of them made something of themselves. I work in Professional AV and had the privilege of meeting many bands at the Zephyr. I even had Tim Mahoney of 311 buy me my first illegal beer there! (I was only 18 at the time) Yes, I did get the T-shirt and yes they all signed it… I miss those days.
Daniel Silverman (Now Daniel Cage) can be found on youtube performing live in 2000 on the Craig Kilborn show. Check it out!