America’s Rock Band, Filligar, arrives in Guyana

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

Georgetown, Guyana – U.S. Ambassador D. Brent Hardt introduced the American alternative rock band, Filligar at the launch of their eight day visit to Guyana. 

This program is part of the Embassy’s continuing cultural engagement that has brought jazz musicians, dance groups, a classical pianist, and a flautist to Guyana over the past three years. 

Earlier in the day, the band met with Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Frank Anthony and discussed Filligar’s scheduled performances at the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival from February 14 to 16, 2014.  During their February 12-20 visit,, Filligar will also engage in a range of musical exchanges and activities in Georgetown, including workshops at the National Music School, educational presentations to students, and a public concert at the National Cultural Centre on February 18 at 7:30pm.   

Filligar has been described as one of the best young bands in America.  They have been selected by the U.S. Department of State as cultural ambassadors, representing the “American people and their cultural values.”  Filligar’s latest record, Hexagon, was named “Best New Music” by American Songwriter Magazine, while their previous release, The Nerve, was nominated “Best Rock Album” at the 2012 Independent Music Awards. They have shared the stage with acclaimed American artists such as Counting Crows, The Black Keys, and My Morning Jacket.

The band consists of four talented and accomplished musicians.  Guitarist and lead vocalist Johnny Mathias, is a graduate of Dartmouth College, a prestigious university in the U.S., where he majored in History and participated in the Cords voice ensemble. Casey Gibson is a classically-trained pianist, and began playing when he was five years old.  Casey studied Economics, Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology at Hamilton College.  Casey also sang in the Oratorio Society and studied jazz piano.  Bassist Teddy Mathias graduated from Dartmouth College where he sang with the Dartmouth College Gospel Choir, a nationally renowned ensemble invited to perform at the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Teddy was a featured soloist in the choir’s performance at the Lincoln Center in New York City.  Drummer Pete Mathias is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Oxford, where he studied History.  At Dartmouth, Pete participated in the World Music Percussion Ensemble and the Contemporary Music Lab.  He is an endorsed artist of Vic Firth drum sticks.