Longstanding Feud Between Two Local OGs Ends With Peace Treaty

By: Emily Clingman
Two of Fort Collin’s most famous redheads have been going to blows backstage around town and causing a rift in the local music scene for eons. Call them original gingers, carrot tops, ginger ale or little orange kittens – fans swoon over the members of emerging super band, Ginger Whale and all of their gingerness.
“When we first formed, people asked us if we needed a bassist or a drummer, you know,” said Reverend Ginger, “But if we started bringing in a bunch of other players, it wouldn’t be so super, so it’s just us.”
Us, is the Reverend Ginger, a.k.a., Jason Downing, front man of Musketeer Gripweed, and P-Ginger, a.k.a. Matt Mahern, front man of Constitution Band.
“It’s been a long standing feud, said the Reverend, about the battle of who’s the better musician in Fort Collins. “Bad blood, I tell you – fist fights behind stage; it just went on and on,” like the Lord of the Rings, Helm’s Deep-style, with Sauron and Gandalf backed by stone hurling tree people and flame throwing trolls…or maybe more like a cute little brawl between Frodo and Sméagol. Nevertheless, it’s been a tremendous battle according to the Rev.
So, instead of letting the townspeople of the Fort decide who wins, while allowing a fight to the death, P-Ging and the Rev agreed to a peace treaty and formed a new band to collaborate their talents (and their, um…unique imaginations).
“It’s kind of an awesome thing,” Reverend Ginger said. “We’re influenced heavily by Snoop Dog, some Springsteen…Cypress Hill.”
What he’s really saying is expect the unexpected.
“I like to call it special,” he laughed.
The band name is half obvious. Ginger is because they both have red hair. Whale stems from the sounds the audience makes instead of clapping.
“It’s kind of like uuuuhhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrruuuuaaa!”
Or something like that.
Nonsense aside, Reverend Ginger and P-Ginger wanted to play off each other’s extraordinary talents by playing with each other.
“We’re basically just two guitars and whatever else you can make noise with,” the Rev said. “We have a lot of good skills. It’s easy for both of us. He plays I sing, I play he sings.
“But P is very difficult to work with,” Rev added. “Though whiskey tend to repair everything.”
Symbiotic original gingers – OG’s for life.
“To think that this came out of a time of war and dissent,” said the Rev.
“We’re brothers now. I foresee us playing on a mountain of gold for New Year’s Eve.”
What can fans expect at a Ginger Whale show?
P-Ginger said it has all the mystique of a Chriss Angel show without all of the make up.
“You know, it’s not everyday you can experience an immaculate conception right before your eyes,” he said.
What are future aspirations for the band?
“When you already have magic in a bottle,” P-Ginger said, “there’s no reason to aspire to anything else.”
P wants people to know that Ginger Whale has come for the greater good of Fort Collins and throughout the land to maintain the peace.
“If all else fails,” he said, “Let Ginger Whale be your guide.”
 
Don’t miss P and the Rev duke out their differences on stage with weapons of mass musical destruction at their December shows:
Biodiesel For Bands
A benefit show to help bands with the ever-rising cost of fuel while touring
Fri., Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
Hodi’s Half Note, 167 North College Avenue
With Mosey West, Wasabi, and a special guests, The Mason Howlers
 
Fort Collins community Holiday Open House
Wed., Dec.12, 4-7 p.m.
Carnegie Library Building, 200 Mathews Street
With performances by Bas Bleu Theatre Company, the Larimer Chorale Dickens Carolers, the Fort Collins Symphony, Opera Fort Collins, and more