Wussy formed spontaneously in 2001 when Cincinnati, Ohio stonemason Chuck Cleaver (Ass Ponys) and Lisa Walker (The Magic Words) began playing together as a result of a dare and a shot or two of Jaegermeister. Cleaver had been recently inspired after a run of Ass Ponys U.S. tour dates with friends The Handsome Family, which renewed his long-held love of iconic rock and folk duos. Walker and Cleaver’s first performance, though totally unplanned, went without incident. Mark Messerly was recruited on bass shortly thereafter, with Joe Klug on drums and John Erhardt on pedal steel in the years following. The band have become cult favorites of fans and critics alike, both for their songwriting and varied sonic palette, often drawing comparisons to admitted heroes Television, John Prine, Velvets, Crazy Horse and Yo La Tengo. Co-bandleaders Walker and Cleaver share songwriting and guitar duties, swapping lead vocals and arguing in harmony, with each side of the story sung either in tandem or as traded verses.
Schwervon! 