Information/Write-up
Frankenstein 5 – ‘It’s a Cryin’ Shame’
Reformed, redesigned, and overhauled, the F5 have a ’60s garage sound, jam packing organ, guitar, and all the extras into short, snappy tunes. They are stylish, classy, and way too excitable. Touring extensively and drinking red wine are their main hobbies and pursuits.
-James Rocchi
James Bond: organ, vocals
Rob Munroe: guitar, vocals
Mark Ordas: guitar
Jason Kipper: bass
Mark Wood: drums
Produced by Frankenstein 5
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
Originally recorded by The Gentlemen © 1965
Taplash – ‘Bludgeon’
A four-piece of distinction, more of their bone-rattling power can be found on their independent CD “Corebound”. Able to stop and start on a dime, the heavy Taplash sound still has perfect clarity and precision: it’s like having a two-ton diamond dropped on you.
-James Rocchi
Pete Trybus: vocals, guitar
Jeff Balkowski: guitar, vocals
Johnny O.: bass
Jeff DePew: drums, vocals
Produced by Taplash, SFH and Mario Circelli
Engineered by Joe Vaughan and Joe Finlan
Suffer Machine – ‘Revolutionary’
Take a pinch of funk, a cup of rock, a dash of horn. Mix up, and let it cook for 10 years. Serve up to an adoring crowd. Long-time favourites, you can hear more on their CD “Scream of Love” or watch for their video. Not for the weak of heart, the narrow of thought, or people who don’t like to groove.
-James Rocchi
Pete Tangredi: vocals
Pete R. Watson: guitar, vocals
Stephan Beckhoff: keys, vocals
Lisa Patterson: sax, vocals
Greg “Egg” Reinhart: bass
Ted Peacock: drums, vocals
John Switzer: drum sampling
Produced by Pete R. Watson and Suffer Machine
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
Adam West – ‘Things’
This band have quickly become one of London’s most appreciated bands. Another example of a band that has achieved relative success almost immediately after deciding not to try so hard. Apart from being the most well educated band in London, Adam West have a knack for songwriting that should get them places. Take note…
-Phil Saunders
Dave Merritt: vocals, guitar
Shawn Bragg: guitar
Richard “Duke” Fry: bass
Steve Crew: drums
Produced by Pete R. Watson and Adam West
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
Spool – ‘Entrepreneur’s Walk’
For a band who still don’t like to take themselves too seriously, Spool have gained national and international attention. They were featured on CBC’s “Brave New Waves” and have recently signed with Derivative Records. Spool are even scratching their heads about the whole thing, but when you hear this tune you’ll understand what all the fuss is about.
-Phil Saunders
Ian Newton: vocals, guitar
Greg Gilbert: guitar
Clay Cornell: bass, vocals
Stev McMinn: drums
Produced by Pete R. Watson and Spool
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
Gandharvas – ‘Forgiveness’
Here is an example of a band that disproves the theory that a band has to break up before they can grow and change. The Gandharvas went from being a band that unabashedly exposed their influences to become one of the most original bands in the city. With this track the Gandharvas continue to astound listeners with “avante-rock”.
-Phil Saunders
Paul Jago: vocals, cans
Judd Ruhl: guitars
Brian Ward: guitars
Eric Howden: bass, vocals
Tim McDonald: drums
Produced by Gandharvas and Mario Circelli
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
Julia Propeller – ‘Goodnight’
What started as an acoustic guitar duo gradually turned into a full band that has a conscience, a heart, and a sense of humour. They’ve received out-of-town attention, openers, air play, and won the hearts of fans everywhere with their folk-based sound. Listen to their CD “Go On Back” or watch for their video.
-James Rocchi
Brenda McMorrow: acoustic guitar, vocals
Samantha Wells: drums
Mitch Zimmer: harmonica
Paul Brennan: bass
Noel Jago: drums
Produced by Pete R. Watson and Julia Propeller
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
The Others – ‘Swallowed Whole’
Now and then one gets amazed at how new, how good, how different two guitars, bass and drums sound. Strumming and feedback combine in The Others sound, and their tunes have bounce, punch and depth at the same time. Look for their self-titled CD for more ‘tink-rock’ music.
-James Rocchi
Matt Evans: vocals, guitar
Tom Nesbitt: guitar, vocals
Andy Stockton: bass
Patrick Orange: drums
Produced by The Others
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
Petch – ‘Soldier’s Bath’
The youngest group on the compilation, Petch are a hardworking bunch of guys who have played with the likes of Sloan and Grasshopper. They’ll probably agree that the song they recorded here is the best thing they’ve done to date. Their cassette “Chuckle Head” is one of the most played at CHRW, but Petch are a band that are in a constant stage of growth so keep in touch…
-Phil Saunders
Vince Braca: vocals
Scott Savage: guitar
Dave Hall: bass
Brady Parr: drums, vocals
Produced by Petch
Engineered by Rob Nation and Joe Finlan
Landslide – ‘Liverpool’
Landslide are a four-piece band with brains, guts, and heart, and this song is an excellent introduction. Not quite punk, not quite pop, not quite metal… What to call it? Well, damn good for a start! After this, check out their CD Songs in the Key of Disaster for more of the dark, smart, and rocking Landslide sound.
-James Rocchi
Pete Dekoker: vocals, bass
Mark Anderson: guitar, vocals
Mark Jeftovic: guitar, vocals
Dan Miles: drums
Produced by Joe Vaughan, Mark Anderson and Pete Dekoker
Engineered by Joe Vaughan and Joe Finlan
Wedge – ‘Black Cloud’
If you like power trios, you’ll love the grinding, crunchy sound of Wedge, who have been around and about for only a few years. Listen for more on their independent cassette “Feedbackin’”. Known for their dizzying instrumentals as well as lyrically charged tunes, Wedge have a burning resentment of Much Music’s programmers for taking their name.
-James Rocchi
Mike Timmins: vocals, guitar
Laurie Wedge: bass
Paul Venoosen: drums
Produced by Wedge
Engineered by Joe Finlan and Joe Vaughan
Killswitch – ‘Rats’
Killswitch suck! But don’t hold it against them because they’ll already hold it against you! This band is the band every rock critic wants to be in. This is the first real recording they’ve done with a machine with more than two-track capability. You could call them punk rock, but that would be an understatement. Killswitch love no one!
-Phil Saunders
Tony: vocals, guitar
Jay: guitar
Rogy: bass, vocals
Jeff: drums
Produced by Killswitch, Mario Circelli and Mat Davis
Engineered by Joe Vaughan and Joe Finlan
Bassbag – ‘Reaper’
Punk rock. Bassbag is punk rock. Punk rock is what Bassbag is. When I think Bassbag, I think punk rock. Their singer is punk rock (and really tall). Their guitar players are punk rock (and average height). Their drummer, on the other hand, is punk rock. If you like disco don’t listen to this because it is punk rock.
-Phil Saunders
Jamie Conyers: vocals
Brian McMillan: guitar
Barney McMahon: guitar
Oscar Macedo: bass, vocals
Dave Roberts: drums
Produced by Mario Circelli, Paul Venoosen and Bassbag
Engineered by Joe Vaughan and Joe Finlan
Techno Blabbo – ‘Stay In Line’
The origins of this are somewhat mysterious. Lying in the domain between anger and apathy comes this seething tirade of utter brutality unequaled by any mere imitators. For any musicians out there that have had equipment stolen, take note, this is creative channeling at its finest. Created by Bob Reid, formerly of Razor and now with SFH, this tune is: A) a fit of rage; B) the mark of genius; C) a bit of fun.
-Phil Saunders
Bob Reid: sounds, samples, sonics, and angst
Produced and engineered by Bob Reid on a 4-track
Remixed by Joe Vaughan
Album Production
Produced by Mario P. Circelli
Associate producer: Pete R. Watson
Engineered by Rob Nation, Joe Vaughan and Joe Finlan
Recorded and produced at EMAC Recording Studios
Sequenced by Mario “the Man” Circelli, Pete “the Butcher” Watson, Joe “the Doctor” Vaughan, Rob “the Nurse” Nation and Joe “the Surgeon” Finlan
Digitally edited using the Spectral Synthesis Digital Workstation
Artwork
Cover art by Jeff Parker
CD layout, design and graphics by Pete R. Watson
Liner notes
In cramped basements and garages across Canada, thousands of bands come together to write and play music. Of all those bands, only a small percentage ever get the opportunity to record their material and of those, an even smaller percentage ever go on to any sort of prominence beyond the confines of their rehearsal space or local brew hall. As a result thousands of bands, and thousands of great songs are lost forever in musical oblivion – unless of course, they get saved from that fate. Each region in our country produces bands that capture the spirit of the area. London is no exception. In fact, the city has given birth to many high-caliber bands. That’s why CHRW decided to put its money and support behind many of the best bands in London. Here you have it, “CHRW London Underground II – Dig Deeper”.
When we embarked on this project we had definite ideas about why and how to do the CD. The ‘why’ is easy. London is home to some of the best bands in the country and CHRW plays an integral role in playing, supporting, and nourishing the local scene. If not us, who else? The ‘how’ is more philanthropic. We didn’t want the bands to pay for appearing on the disc, or the recording of their track. For most musicians it can be difficult to find two quarters to rub together. So why make them pay? We also knew we wanted all the bands to record specifically for this project. No old masters. Recording especially for this project ensured top quality and consistency throughout. But, our budget wasn’t limitless, so what’s incredible is that all the bands recorded and produced their songs in seven hours each! We recorded live-off-the-floor as much as possible, and were able to capture the energy and precision in the songs – tribute to both the bands’ skill and that of the engineers and producers.
Our call for submissions netted 40+ entries; from there a selection committee chose the 14 bands you hear on this disc. Many people helped with the project, and several companies understood what we were trying to accomplish and decided to help. 3M Canada made the tape available to us. Pepsi-Cola Canada also helped us out, as did the UWO Students’ Council and MCA Records Canada. EMAC Recording Studios lent their expertise and went far beyond our expectations during the production of the CD. Most of all a heartfelt thanks to Pete “guitar” Watson whose dedication, determination and resolve made this project the best it could be.
Now after months of work, a lot of effort, and people coming together to support a scene they believe in, there’s this little silvery, round thing. It doesn’t look like the work of over 200 people; it doesn’t look like hours and hours of work; it doesn’t look like anything other than a coaster or a tiny frisbee.
But I know you’ll agree – the SONGS are great and it SOUNDS incredible!!!
-Mario P. Circelli, CHRW Station Manager
No Comments