Named for folkloric werewolves that stalk the Creole/Cajun country, LOUP GAROU (pronounced loo ga roo) is a New York-based band of real swamp monsters who are fast becoming the stuff of legend.

LOUP GAROU is Louisiana native Jimmy Macdonell and a band of seasoned players; including veteran bassist Jim Gregory, drummer Rod Gross and guitarist Richard Fortus, vocalist Ronin and keyboardist Neil Thomas. The mix makes for some serious swamp-funk that routinely packs the dance floors, where often a constellation of high-profile fans break sweat.

Among the band's earliest devotees was David Byrne, who tapped Macdonell for 'Don't Fence Me In' on the 'Red, Hot and Blue' Cole Porter tribute. Bryan Ferry saw but one gig before booking the band to open a North American / Canadian. Robert Palmer, The Dead's Bob Weir, and TomTom Clubbers Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz have all leapt onto the LOUP GAROU band stand, along with long time fan Paul Simon - who kicked of his 'Rhythm of the Saints' tour with LOUP GAROU onstage and also used MacDonell on the album (Jimmy also appears on Talking Heads' Little Creatures).

Like the imagistic storytellers in Macdonell's Creole and English lyrics, LOUP GAROU continues to cross-pollinate. The band made it's soundtrack debut in John Sayles' film 'Passion Fish', which Macdonell helped score and also features LOUP's gentle, joyous 'Bwanas' Garden'.

The almost uncanny collective spirit that animates LOUP GAROU's live shows is captured on their debut album. Their first record was released on Sky Ranch/Virgin in Europe and Tattoo Records in the U.S. Their live following continues to grow and they have been a featured group at Printemps de Bourges, have played the UK, Belgium and Germany as well as opening the new American Center in Paris.

I've worked with LOUP GAROU four or five times. This is a great live bands' debut album. Paul Simon

So get ready to howl. In LOUP GAROU country, the full moon's always rising.