Tall Guy Short Guy

Since the inception of Tall Guy Short Guy in 2009, they have rapidly become one of the biggest, most impressive viral successes in the country. Tall Guy Short Guy are unique in that they are the only Hip-Hop duo that can blend both the punk rock attitude of bands like Rancid and The Clash together with the modern musical tides of bands like 3OH3!, Brokencyde and Iglue and Hartley. Mix this all together with their hilarious satire, and what you are rewarded with is a "Larger then Life" duo. ...

Since the inception of Tall Guy Short Guy in 2009, they have rapidly become one of the biggest, most impressive viral successes in the country. Tall Guy Short Guy are unique in that they are the only Hip-Hop duo that can blend both the punk rock attitude of bands like Rancid and The Clash together with the modern musical tides of bands like 3OH3!, Brokencyde and Iglue and Hartley. Mix this all together with their hilarious satire, and what you are rewarded with is a "Larger then Life" duo. Though TGSG has only been around for one year, the story leading up to the creation of TGSG is a very calculated and elaborate one, and it was really just a matter of time before all the pieces of this diverse puzzle assembled together. Both Ryan Long and Jarek Hardy are the original founding members of punk/ska outfit, The Johnstones. The Johnstones have created a large, devoted following in Canada, and in doing so, have racked up a number of accomplishments themselves. To name a few: • They have released three records on Stomp/Warner • They have had nine music videos in rotation on MuchMusic (including a 9- week run on the MuchMusic Countdown for their single "Gone For A Long Time") • They have created and developed a notoriously devoted fanbase known as "Johnstonians", and have sold out shows across the country to these fanatics • They have toured North America and Europe alongside such bands as Hedley, Less than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Gob, The Mad Caddies, as well as being included on The Vans Warped Tour and more. In addition to the success that they have accumulated with The Johnstones, both Long and Hardy have also grown a reputation themselves as two of the hardest working, straight up hustlers in the game, and are as such known to be "Jack's of All Trades". As a film director, Ryan Long has directed over 10 music videos which have received rotation at Much Music. He has produced up and coming bands, such as MuchMusic Disband stars "Mean Tangerine". And on top of this, Long has created one of the most popular and consistent viral comedy (both sketch and stand-up) cult followings on the Internet. Jarek Hardy on the other hand, lends himself to acting on the side. He has landed Principal Roles in both TV and film. Such shows as Being Erica, and the upcoming blockbuster film Dreamhouse starring Daniel Craig, where he was also asked by director Jim Sheridan to compose two songs for the film. Jarek also takes time to do graphic design for many of his own projects, as well as Myspace and merch design for many Canadian bands. Together Long and Hardy do a bi-weekly podcast that has thousands of subscribers and have hosted their own monthly online TV show. This online show had live viewers reaching 2500, and boasted guests such as Hedley, Gob, The Arkells, Flashlight Brown and more! And furthermore, their YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/phatbredrens) has well over 1 000 000 plays and is updated regularly, several times a week with new material, both comedy and music alike. With such a high level of saturation and horizontal integration, there seems to be nothing that this duo can't accomplish. And better yet, there is absolutely no waiting around for projects to materialize, as they don't have to wait on anyone! The true "DIY" model! It is their secondary love for film, theatrics and comedy that has allowed them to create such elaborate and comedic alter-egos as TG13 (Long) and SHORTY G (Hardy), much like bands like Die Antwoord, Glass Tiger or even The Aquabats have done. Shorty G and TG13 are two characters that are extremely unintelligent, self parodying, gangster rappers, with an extensive and comedic backstory explaining their existence. TGSG features these personalities, in the form of "mockumentary" style interviews at the beginning of each of their "mix-tape" music videos. And as the TGSG characters are the centerpieces of what TGSG is, they never break character, whether it be for an interview, a show or a music video. Tall Guy Short Guy's live show is like nothing you have ever seen before. Aware that Hip-Hop concerts can often be "boring", TGSG are keen that they need to really bring something different to set them apart, and create a more memorable live experience. Elevating the "party" vibes of rappers like Mickey Avalon and Dirt Nasty to a new level; with a full band, stage props, costumes, (a 45 year old hype man named Gary Kraft) and a DJ that spends 90% of his time on stage cooking food on a George Foreman grill, the Tall Guy Short Guy live show is completely unique and is looked upon as more of a "Musical" than just a concert. But even with Long and Hardy's vast accomplishments, their well-thought-out- personas, and their insane live show; all said and done, it is the music that has ultimately gained Tall Guy Short Guy so much attention in their short one year as a duo. This is most evident in the uploading of their single that they had recorded in their basement onto YouTube, when it had received 30 000+ hits very quickly. Within two months of their formation, Tall Guy Short Guy were opening up for the likes of Asher Roth, Classified, Ill Scarlett, and were even honored by playing at the official MMVA afterparty. They've sold out their very first headline show in Toronto at the Velvet Underground and have sold almost 1000 CD's out of the trunk of their car. Realizing that they had become a viral smash, it was time for them to take it to the next level, and they recruited producer James Robertson (Down With Webster, Skye Sweetnam, Esthero). James Robertson has had a huge part in shaping the TGSG's new sound into something fresh, and as such, they really stand to make an impression on the music scene. With a fresh sound, comedic characters, clever lyrics, punk rock attitude and huge hooks, TGSG stand apart from all the other bands that have been castaway in the sea of music. As all the pieces of this puzzle fall firmly into place, the future is bright and exciting for TGSG, and this dynamic duo is ready to take it to the top and NEVER LOOK BACK!!