…Of Tanz Victims
100 Mile House
1001 Est Crémazie
102.1 Band
122 Greige
Oakes, Jamie
Oakley
Oatman, Don
Oberon
O’Brien, Mel
Ocean
O’Connor, Gary
O’Connor, Neil
Octatracter
Octavian
October Crisis
October Game, The
Octobre
Odds
Odette, Paul
Odium
Off and Gone
Off Limitz
Offbeats, The
Offenbach
Office
Of The First Born Son
Oh Susanna
Ohama
O’Hara, Mary Margaret
ohbijou
Ohm And The Secret Sources
Oh No’s, The
OJIJI
O’Kane, Duane
Olas, Alain
Old
Old Man Luedecke
Old Reliable
Oliver Kraus
Olivieri, Anna Marie
Olliver, George
Olsen, Steven Lee
On
Once, The
One
One Bad Son
One Blood
One Free Fall
One Horse Blue
One of You
One To One
One Way Street, The
O’Neill, Mike
Onionhouse
Onits, The
Onley, Ruth Ann
Only, Joey
Ook-Piks, Les
Orb Sceptre Throne
Orchid Highway
Order Of Good Cheer, The
Ordge, Jimmy “Arthur”
Orfans, The
Organization, The
Organized Rhyme
Organ Thieves
Original Caste, The
Original Crayons, The
Original Sloth Band
Orion 321
Oromocto Diamond
Orphan
Orville Dorp
Osburne, Marg
Oster, Al
Other Guys, The
O’Toole, Ray
Ouba
Oui
Our Generation
Our Lady Peace
Our Francis To The Sea
Outer Temple
Outrage
Overholt, Elaine
Oversoul Seven
Owl Drugs
…OF TANZ VICTIMS
Robert de la Carignan [aka Robert Mailloux] (guitar, bass, vocals) / Denis Wooty / Roy Batty (synthesizers, drum machine, vocals) / Sat W. Ford [aka Stefan Figiel or Stephan Faulkner] (sampling, percussion, vocals)
Formed in Montreal, Québec in 1984.
Singles
1985 Fighting False Gods (O.T.V.) 003-85
2015 Fighting False Gods [7” re-issue] (Artoffact) AOF-218
Albums
1986 Haunting the Empire (Bunker/O.T.V.) 001-86
1986 1876: Scanning Elle Dementia (Bunker) 003-86
1987 Ostrova Novo Sibirski (Bunker/OTV) 004-87
100 MILE HOUSE
Peter Stone / Denis MacKay
Husband and wife folk duo from Edmonton, Alberta.
Albums
2008 On That Organ In The House By The Field [4-song DigiFile EP] (100 Mile House)
2009 From Fall To Fall (100 Mile House)
2011 Hollow Ponds (100 Mile House)
2013 Wait With Me (Chronograph) CR-038
2016 Hiraeth (Fallen Tree) FTRC-1010
2020 Love And Leave You (Fallen Tree) FTRC-1015
Compilation Tracks
2010 “Fight” on ‘Great Northern Revival: Notes From The Edmonton Underground Vol. 2’ (NoteBook)
2011 “Linden Tree” on ‘Tunes For Baboons: Live Sessions From CJSW 90.9 FM’ [2CD (CJSW) CJSW-2011
2019 “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” on ‘Cover Art’ [2LP (The Calgary Folk Music Festival)
1001 EST CRÉMAZIE
Alain Demontigny (bass, guitar) / Mireille Falardeau (vocals) / Evelyne Lamonde (vocals) / Luc Archambault (piano) / Benout Sarrazin (piano, xylophone) / Pierre Lachance (bass) / Vincent Leclerc (drums) / Daniel Neveu (piano) / Farid Risk (guitar) / Jean-Luc Nadeau (drums) / Gérald Filion (percussion) / Chantal Renaud (piano) / Luc Wiseman (bongos) / Denis Bélanger (guitar) / Colette Sigouin (backing vocals) / Jacques Legault (backing vocals) / Louis Demers (backing vocals) / Lucie Nadeau (backing vocals)
French Canadian group named after the street address of Montréal school Collège André-Grasset where the band members studied.
Albums
1975 1001 est Crémazie (Phonograss)
102.1 BAND, The
Studio novelty act created by CFNY-FM with vocals by DJ Scruff Connors and featuring musical accompaniment by Nash The Slash.
Singles
1979 Working On the Radio/[same] (Ready) RR-004
122 GREIGE
Adam Rosen (drums) / Chad Storie (bass) / Matt Robinson (vocals, guitar, organ)
From Toronto, Ontario; Rosen would go on to Parts Unknown, Mean Red Spiders, and Folk Festival Massacre.
Albums
1994 New Year’s Eve [6-song cassette EP] (122 Greige)
1996 Untitled (aka The Brown Bag Special) [4-song cassette EP] (122 Greige)
1998 Moving Away From The Sun (Teenage USA Recordings) TEEN-010
2001 Travel Light (122 Greige)
2015 Big Red (122 Greige)
2015 All The Way Down (122 Greige)
Compilation Tracks
1994 “Nova Scotia” on ‘Leisure Terrorists’ on (Theta Stave Recordings) V/A-001
OAKES, Jamie
Former member of Daba Rojaba and session guitarist, Jamie Oakes stretched as a solo artist beginning in 1998 with the ‘Shadows In A Dream’ album. His sophomore release in 2002 was called ‘Eloquence.’ [also see DABA ROJABA]
Albums
1998 Shadows In Dreams (JAO) JAO-05922
2002 Eloquence (JAO) JAO-05923
OAKLEY
Ritchie Oakley (guitar) / Wayne Nicholson (vocals, flute) / Doug MacKay (drums) / Bruce Dixon (bass) / John Lee (keyboards; left 1977) / Bill McCauley (keyboards; joined 1978) / Donnie Morris (bass; replaced Dixon) / Dave Gallant (guitar; joined 1981)
The Oakley Band was formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia by Ritchie Oakley after the demise of the popular Maritime group Soma. Oakley attracted an ensemble of “the best of the best” Maritime players: Wayne Nicholson and Doug MacKay (ex-Horse); 17 year-old bassist Bruce Dixon, from the band Sandy Road and keyboardist John Lee. In very little time The Oakley Band firmly established itself as the hardest rocking group in the area performing southern rock & blues through a blend of original material and classic covers tunes. Lee left the band in 1977 and was replaced by ex-Redeye member Bill McCauley. With Oakley and Nicholson the two principle writers in the band, they set about writing and recording a self-titled debut in 1980. The album shipped gold (50,000 copies). Three singles were extracted from the album for radio – “Ride ‘Em Cowboy”, “Stickin’ With You”, and “She’s Gone”. “She’s Gone” also appeared on the 1982 Eastern Alliance along with the “I Almost Call Your Name.” The Oakley Band worked continuously touring across the country and playing the summer festival circuit. With a reputation for being bad boys-working hard and playing hard, they shared stages with such heavyweights as The Doobie Brothers, Blue Rodeo and April Wine. When Dixon moved on to other opportunities, former Soma member Donnie Morris came on board. A second guitarist, Dave Gallant, was added in 1981. Despite their strong following the band broke up in 1982. Since then Ritchie Oakley has partnered with Sam Moon to form Sam Moon/Ritchie Oakley Power Unit – still playing occasional gigs together to this day. Oakley also has a long term stint with popular East Coast Country band Fandango. In 1995 Oakley was honoured by the Nova Scotia Country Music Association as both “Songwriter of the Year” and “Instrumentalist Of The Year”. The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia named him ‘Producer of the Year” in 1998. He is currently under contract in the role of Music Director for John Curtis Sampson, ECMA 2000 winner for “Best New Artist” and Country Artist of the Year.” After 1982 Wayne Nicholson joined the New Glasgow band Granfalloon and recorded the single, “Cheater” which became a local hit. After a stint in Calgary, he returned to Halifax and launched his solo career. After releasing his first project, he signed with Loggerhead records and has recorded a total of 3 CD’s, which garnered multiple ECMA nominations. His most recent success has been producing the critically acclaimed debut by The Carson Downey Band. Dixon and McCauley went on to work with Cape Breton’s Rita MacNeil. Dixon is currently touring with Roch Voisine. He is sought after for music director positions and is currently working with Ian Janes on his next project. Doug MacKay has played with Sam Moon, Dutch Mason, Sharon B., and most recently, with Joe Murphy and The Water Street Blues Band; Gallant played with Cheryl Lescom for several years and pursues another passion – guitar repair; Morris is the long time bassist for country artist Louisa Manuel. Oakley, Nicholson, MacKay, Dixon, McCauley and Gallant reunited on three occasions since officially disbanding; Sadly, Ritchie Oakley died unexpectedly April 6, 2013; Donnie Morris died March 9, 2019. with notes from Anne Oakley, Jim Rice, and Peter Crowe.
Singles
1980 Ride ‘Em Cowboy/Guitar Man (Nova) NS-0061
1980 Stickin’ With You/Don’t Kick a Man (Nova) NS-0062
1982 She’s Gone/I Almost Call Your Name (Nova) NS-063
Albums
1980 Oakley (Nova) N689-006
Compilation Tracks
1982 “I Almost Call Your Name” and “She’s Gone” on ‘Eastern Alliance’ (CBS) ART-100
OATMAN, Don
Born: Donald Ross Oatman in Tillsonburg, Ontario in 1940.
By the age of eight Don Oatman he was singing to the accompaniment of his mother on the organ at the local United Church in Springford, Ontario. He would sing at nine different churches on various Sundays until he was 13 years old.
He took a serious interest in music at the age of fourteen, at which time he took up the trumpet. He was soon playing in the school orchestra. He also played in the Annandale High School Brass Band, as well as the Tillsonburg Brass Band. Oatman loved to sing, and he became the lead singer of The Rhythm Rockers. At the age of 18 he got his pilot’s license at the Tillsonburg Airport. Directly out of high school worked for the Royal Bank. From 1962 to 1965 he worked for LaVerne Haley Appliances. In 1964 he bought a piece of land and built a restaurant that also featured a gas bar. In 1971, Oatman became the lead singer of The Rhythmaires. They became well established and were booked solid with weekend dates at clubs, weddings and receptions including shows at the Summer Gardens in Port Dover, and the Stork Club in Port Stanley. In January 1976 the band changed its name to Impact featuring Brian Craig (drums), Kris Jackucinskas (guitar), Tony Bee (organ), and Larry Schofield (keyboards). In February of 1976, Oatman talked to Thunderbird Records owner Jim Allison his an original song called “The Love I Give To You.” The song convinced Allison to sign Oatman to a record deal. Oatman’s debut album, ‘Something Old – Something New’ was recorded at Thunder Sound Studio in May 1976 and in the summer. The single “The Love I Give To You” hit #23 at CFCL in Timmins. The third single, “Just For You,” went #1 in some radio markets. Oatman was booked for a TV appearance by musician Fred McKenna on the ‘George Hamilton IV Show’ for early December of 1977, with McKenna’s unexpected death in November 1977, the appearance was cancelled. Thunderbird Records soon went bankrupt, and Oatman carried on performing live with his band Impact. In 1988, he was involved in creating an aviation museum in Dunnville. He would retire from music and his band Impact at the end of the year. In 1992, Oatman began working at Johnson Controls and worked there until 2005. In 1998, he released his second album. The Grand Opening of the No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum finally occurred on July 5, 2003. Don Oatman became its president. In 2008, he released his third album called ‘Christmas With Don Oatman.’ Oatman was also an Auxiliary Sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police for sixteen years. with noets from Thom Ryerson.
Singles
1976 The Love I Give To You/Feelings (Thunderbird) TBR-1030
1976 Easy Life/Walk Hand In Hand (Thunderbird) TBR-1031
1977 Just For You/Green Green Grass Of Home (Thunderbird) TBR-1032
Albums
1976 Something Old – Something New (Thunderbird) TBR-1019
1992 Don Oatman (Don Oatman)
2008 Christmas With Don Oatman (Don Oatman)
2021 Something Old – Something New [DigiFile reissue] (Mouton) 194021-DIG
Compilation Tracks
2019 “The Love I Give To You,” and “Easy Life” on ‘Thunderbird Recording – The Singles 1975 – 1978: The A Sides’ (Germanicus) 20191-CD
2019 “Just For You,” “Walk Hand In Hand,” and “Green Green Grass Of Home” on ‘Thunderbird Recording – The Singles 1975 – 1978: The B Sides’ (Germanicus) 20192-CD
OBERON [see MANCHILD]
O’BRIEN, Mel
Bassist Mel O’Brien attended St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto, Ontario and studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, receiving certificates in Music Theory and Voice. He then obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto. He performed in The Proverbs with future jazz great Bill King before playing with The Five D out of Ottawa briefly and then with Bill Amesbury’s The Five Shy who released two singles on Columbia in 1968. O’Brien would then replace Denny Gerrard in The Paupers near the end of that band’s run. When Bill Amesbury obtained a contract with Casablanca Records in 1974, Amesbury hired O’Brien and drummer Wally Cameron as sidemen. O’Brien played with Amesbury for over two years, during which time he played the bass solo on the million-seller, “Virginia (Touch Me Like You Do)” along with other songs on Amesbury’s debut album. After his stint with Amesbury, O’Brien was then a part of a revamped version of Chester (who initially had international success with “Make My Life A Little Bit Brighter” in 1973) for their two Quality Records singles. He was then hired by CAM NY to play bass for Déjà Vu, and appeared on their second album ‘Get It Up For Love’ in 1977. During this period he also backed up Chuck Berry on the three occasions Berry performed in Toronto in the ‘70s. In 1981 he wrote and performed on a single, “Hard-Luck Taxi Driver,” on T.O. Records and the song was a hit amongst the taxi drivers of Toronto, selling over two-thousand copies independently. O’Brien left the music business temporarily in the ‘80s due to tinnitus. After a few years the condition disappeared and he resumed playing. In recent years he was part of the house band at Connollys of Leap, one of the most famous live music venues in Ireland. He also played frequently with ex-Band of Gypsies member Noel Redding, as well as the band Watercress, Ursula Burns, and members of the Little River Band. He appeared on two Irish albums in 2001 and has written a book about the Toronto music scene called, ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Death’. With notes from Mel O’Brien. [also see FIVE SHY, BILL AMESBURY, CHESTER, DÉJÀ VU]
Singles
1981 Hard-Luck Taxi Driver (T.O.)
OCEAN
Dave Tamblyn (guitar) / Janice Morgan (vocals) / Greg Brown (keyboards, vocals) / Jeff Jones (bass, vocals) / Chuck Slater (drums) / Skip Layton (drums; replaced Slater) / Will “Wayne” Cardinal (bass; replaced Jones)
Greg Brown and Dave Tamblyn had played together in weekend bands in London, Ontario through the mid-60’s. For several years Brown led a group called Leather And Lace, a very successful club band that toured extensively and featured vocalists Janice Morgan and Marilyn Holland, Barry Edwards (guitar) and Bill Turnbull (drums). In early 1970, Edwards was replaced by George Attrill and bassist Jim Chapman was added to the group. In the summer of 1970 Brown decided to take the band in a new direction so Holland, Attrill, Turnbull and Chapman left the group. With the addition of Chuck Slater and Jeff Jones (ex-The Rush) they were quickly signed to ARC Records after only a few months of rehearsals. Ocean’s first single was “Put Your Hand In the Hand” which was written for Anne Murray by Gene MacLellan (who had also given her the monster smash “Snowbird”). The song was buried on one of Murray’s albums and it wasn’t until Ocean sold two million copies did Capitol Records and Anne Murray kick themselves. When the song began to chart in 1971 the group was still playing high school dances in the Toronto area. The record eventually hit No.2 in the US and No.1 in Canada and the band was able to successfully tour the world. Several songs followed and helped maintain the band’s momentum as they did television appearances and wrote material for their follow-up. They were never able to duplicate their success south of the border despite have another sizable hit in Canada with “One More Chance” in 1972. Many member changes occurred and the band was never able to fully reconcile their religious beliefs with their monetary gains and obligations. Ultimately they were ripped off and finally succumbed in 1975; Because of Ocean’s harrowing business experiences, Brown became adept at the business side of the music industry and lobbied to change legislation that would protect Canadian artists from signing contracts without a lawyer. Brown would also play in bands right through the 1990’s with the likes of Second Line Fever and Now And Then (two decidedly different musical styled acts featuring the same band members); Morgan also worked with other acts like Network until retiring from music in 1986. She now lives in Lindsay, Ontario; Jones would go on to continued fame with stints in Red Rider, Ronnie Hawkins Band, Infidels, and The Carpet Frogs as well as having a solo career; Tamblyn would do a stint for one album with Natural Gas, then retired from music; Slater committed suicide; Layton would join The Bells and then re-connect with Jones in a new band with Bernie LaBarge and Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod called Stingaree. When MacLeod left to join Chilliwack in Vancouver, Layton went with him. Layton would end up in a country band called Ambush in the 1990s; Cardinal moved to Nanaimo, British Columbia he plays more casual gigs, repairs speakers and helps build PA systems for the pleasure of better sound; Greg Brown passed away December 13, 2022. with notes from Jeff Jones, Skip Layton, Phillip David and Jim Chapman. [also see JEFF JONES]
Singles
1971 Put Your Hand In the Hand/Tear Down the Fences (Yorkville/ARC) YVM-45033
1971 Deep Enough For Me/No Other Woman(Yorkville/ARC) YVM-45035
1971 (I’ve) We’ve Got a Dream/Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Yorkville/ARC) YVM-45039
1972 Make the Sun Shine/Wild Country (Yorkville/ARC) YVM-45057
1972 One More Chance/Funnier Man (Yorkville/ARC) YVS-45062
1973 I Have a Following/[same] (Yorkville/ARC) YVS-45078
Albums
1971 Put Your Hand In the Hand (Yorkville/ARC) YV-33005
1972 Give Tomorrow’s Children Another Chance (Kama Sutra) KSBS-2064
1998 Greatest Hits (Unidisc) AGEK-2098
Compilation Tracks
1971 “Put Your Hand In the Hand” on ’20 Solid Hits – Volume 2’ (K-Tel) TC-203
1971 ”We Got A Dream” on ’20 Power Hits – Volume 2’ (K-Tel) TC-204
1971 “Put Your Hand In the Hand” on ’20 Power Hits – Volume 2’ (K-Tel – US) TU-222
1972 “One More Chance” on ‘Concept’ [Silver] (Concept 376/Arc) PRP-206
1973 “Put Your Hand In The Hand” on ‘Today’s Super Greats’ (K-Tel) TC-211
1974 “One More Chance” on ’Hot Hits’ (Jukebox International) 74001
1996 “Put Your Hand In The Hand” on ‘Oh What a Feeling: A Vital Collection of Canadian Music’ (MCA) JUNO-25
1991 “Put Your Hand In The Hand” on ‘Made in Canada, Our Rock ‘n’ Roll History – Volume Four: More Great Stuff (BMG) KCD1-7247
O’CONNOR, Gary [aka GARY O’]
Gary O’Connor is the son of the late big band leader Billy O’Connor (who was one of the first Canadians to have their own television show). O’Connor’s musical career started with his interest in drums, but after trading another kid a tuna sandwich in exchange for guitar lessons he developed a love for rock music. As a teen in the 1960s he was first a member of the group The Synics, and then later the Spasstiks who would have commercial success after changing their name to Cat in 1968. “Doin’ The Best We Can” was their first single on Apex and helped them land impressive opening slots for the likes of The Guess Who, Lighthouse, Neil Diamond and Janis Joplin. The group was soon discovered by Jack Richardson and was signed to a development deal with Richardson’s Nimbus 9 Productions which, in turn, led to a record deal with RCA in New York. The first single, “Light of Love”, failed to make any noise, but the next – “We’re All In This Together” – featuring Richardson’s fledgling engineer, Bob Ezrin on keyboards, helped the band land some chart action. A Festival Express train that took entertainers across Canada from town to town took Cat on tour in 1970 which followed hot on the heels of the single and self-titled debut album. Soon creative differences would eat away at the members and they recorded briefly as Fast Eddie before finally calling it quits in 1972. O’Connor’s next band was as replacement guitarist/vocalist in the self-proclaimed first tribute band to the Beatles called Liverpool in the Fall of 1976. O’Connor was with them for their final two singles of original material on Taurus Records, but the label soon experienced financial troubles and Liverpool found itself without a home. O’Connor briefly formed his own band called Kid Rainbow before re-forming with members of Liverpool as Aerial. Ray Danniels re-signed the band to his next label Anthem Records. The band’s debut album, “In The Middle of the Night” was released in 1978 and featured the radio hit “Easy Love” written by O’Connor. Friction in the band over getting more representation for his songs caused O’Connor to pursue a solo career and in 1979 he was signed to a development deal with Capitol Records in the US under the moniker GARY O’. Over the next two years he worked honing his songwriting chops and spent time on the executive board of the Toronto Musicians’ Association. In early 1981 his self-titled debut album was released on Capitol and featured several radio hits including “All the Young Heroes”, a cover of the Hollies’ “Pay You Back With Interest” and “I Believe In You” which was originally released by Cat back in 1968 as the B-side to “Doin’ The Best I Can”. With manager Stephen Glass at the helm, O’Connor moved to RCA Records for his sophomore LP ‘Strange Behaviour’ in 1984. The record was completely performed by O’Connor with the help of some friends like Klaatu’s Dee Long at ESP Studios and engineer Brian Bell. This album also produced three singles: “Get It While You Can”, “Call of the Wild” and the Top40 single/video “Shades of ’45”. It wasn’t long before other artists came knocking looking for O’Connor’s songwriting talents. The list includes .38 Special (“One Time For Old Times”, “Back Where You Belong”, “Just A Little Love”), Molly Hatchet (“What’s It Gonna Take”), and Eddie Money (“Maybe Tomorrow”). O’Connor also wrote two movie themes: “Pretty Boy” featured in ‘Thunder Alley’ and performed Leif Garrett, and “Jungle Out There” from ‘Zoo Gang’. In recent years O’Connor has been writing material in Nashville for Lace and Tia McGraff, and for Canadians such as Kim Stockwood, Jamie Warren, Beverly Mahood and Chris Aris. with notes from Gary O’Connor and Rick Pearson. [also see AERIAL, CAT, LIVERPOOL]
Singles
as GARY O’
1981 Pay You Back With Interest/Just A Little Love (Capitol) A-5018
1981 All The Young Heroes/(same) (Capitol – USA) 5041
1981 I Believe In You/Suzanne (Capitol) 72859
1984 Get It While You Can/Young Love (RCA) PB-13870
1984 Shades of ’45/Watching You (Edit) (RCA) PB-13985
1984 Shades of ’45 (Edit)/(same) (RCA – USA) JR-13986
1984 Call of the Wild/What Are Friends For (RCA) PB-50824
1984 Call of the Wild/(same) [12″] (RCA -USA) JR-14113
1985 Watching You/Young Love (Arista – UK) 636
Albums
as GARY O’
1981 Gary O’ (Capitol) ST-12157
1984 Strange Behaviour (RCA) AFL1-5304
Compilation Tracks
as GARY O’
1982 “I Believe In You” on ‘Night Flight’ (K-Tel – US) NC-552
1986 “Get It While You Can” on ‘Let Them Eat Rock’ (RCA) KZL1-7191
1998 “Shades of ’45” on ‘Heard It On the Radio’ (Renaissance – US) RMED-00501
2012 “All the Young Heroes” and “Pay You Back With Interest” on ‘Heard It On the Radio’ [DigiFile] (Renaissance – US)
O’CONNOR, Neil
Neil O’Connor is originally from Pembroke, Ontario. He is a guitarist that cut his chops in the Ottawa Valley Band Triad in the mid-1970s with Jack Clouthier (drums), and Ray Dugay Heney (bass, keyboards). When Neil went solo in 1977, Clouthier and Heney backed him up on his debut album ‘Inlaws/Outlaws’ in 1977. O’Connor is still recording and performing in Ottawa.
Singles
1977 Inlaws/Outlaws/Tranquillity Bass (Northland) C-292
Albums
1977 Inlaws/Outlaws (Northland) NL-77001
with NEIL O’CONNOR AND THE NIGHTLIFE
2020 A Man Of Simplicity (Neil O’Connor)
OCTATRACTOR
Keith Parry (guitar, vocals) / Darren Shorsky (bass) / Justice Schanfarber (guitar, vocals) / Jeff Ellis (drums)
From Vancouver, British Columbia.
Singles
1991 Kiddie Fist/Stam Her (Kil Tel) KIL-2
OCTAVIAN
John Pulkkinen [aka John Alexander] (lead vocals) / Rob McDonald (keyboards) / Darryl Alguire (vocals) / Warren Barbour (drums, guitars, vocals) / Ray Lessard (bass, vocals) / Kirk Dorrow (drums) / Gerry Sampson (drums, replaced Dorrow 1976) / Bill Gauvreau (lead guitar) / Bob Deeks (guitar, vocals; replaced Gauvreau & Alguire) / Michael Hicks (keyboards, vocals) / John Livingston (drums; replaced Sampson 1977)
Ottawa’s eight-piece band, Octavian, was formed as Octavius during the members’ formative years in high school in 1969. Because the band’s focus was on complex vocal harmony, eight singers allowed them the luxury of doing cover versions of complex Beach Boys, CSNY, and Queen material. Their first professional gigs were at the Chaudiere Club in Aylmer, Québec, where they regularly entertained members of Satan’s Choice. The band’s name achieved a metamorphosis during a gig at The Rock Club in Woodstock, Ontario when their name appeared as ‘Octavian’ on the marquee. Six years of touring and beating a path around Ontario and Québec finally landed them a deal with MCA Records in Toronto. Their 1974 debut single, “Good Feeling (To Know)” made the Top10 in many major markets in Canada (Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg), was No. 8 in the Steed Report’s Top100 for the year and received a ‘Pick Of The Week’ in Billboard Magazine in the US, but failed to climb the Billboard chart. 1975 saw the release of their only album, ‘Simple Kinda People’, and launched two other singles, “Round and Round” and another single “Hold Me, Touch Me” which did slightly better but still didn’t put the band firmly on the music map. They sold out large stadium shows all over the country including Ontario Place and Ottawa’s Central Canada Exhibition. Shortly after their cross-Canada tour opening shows for Tanya Tucker (1977) in support of their single “Can’t Stop Myself From Loving You” , Bob Deeks replaced both Bill Gauvreau (guitar) & Darryl Alguire (vocals). After their deal with MCA expired, and when it seemed no other label would sign them, the band moved to Toronto and went on to form Chain Reaction; Lead singer John Pulkkinen changed his name to John Alexander and went to work for MCA Records. He signed Alanis Morissette to the label in the early ’90s as a dance artist and later brought her to the attention of producer Glen Ballard to make the multi-million selling ‘Jagged Little Pill’. Alexander is the Senior Vice President of Membership for ASCAP in the United States; Lessard is now a broker; Mike Hicks is partner in HyperActive Productions, a video production house in Ottawa; Bob Deeks has done session work and helped develop other artists in his home recording studio. He is a professor at Algonquin College (Ottawa); Kirk Dorrow and Gerry Sampson passed away after leaving the band; Warren Barbour and Bill Gauvreau have been working since 2011 on a new Octavian project that will combine unreleased and new material; John Alexander passed away suddenly after a short illness on August 3, 2023. with notes from Michael Hicks, Roy Morrison, Ralph Alfonso, Lisa Millar and Bob Deeks. [also see CHAIN REACTION]
Singles
1974 Good Feeling (To Know)/Tell Me Why (MCA) MCA-40319
1975 Round and Round/Desperate Man (MCA) MCA-40399
1975 Hold Me, Touch Me/Work It Out Together (MCA) MCA-40454
1976 You Can’t Do That/Simple Kinda People (MCA) MCA-40530
1977 Can’t Stop Myself From Lovin’ You/Magic (MCA) MCA-40704
Albums
1975 Simple Kinda People (MCA) MCA-2168
OCTOBER CRISIS
Darsea Scot (lead vocals) / Johnny O. (bass) / Rick Barnes (rhythm guitar) / Dave Clark (back-up vocals) / Jamie McLean (drums)
London, Ontario’s October Crisis formed in 1984 and was signed to Psyche Industry in 1985 on the basis of their independent cassette, but left almost immediately after Psyche had rejected their 1986 studio offering as being “too polished”. The band, instead, signed to Fringe Product but a release never materialized.
Singles
1985 October Crisis [cassette] (October Crisis)
Compilation Tracks
1985 “Everyday” on ‘It Came From The Pit’ (Psyche Industry) PIR-05
1986 “PCB’s” on ‘London Underground – CHRW Compilation’ (Astro)
OCTOBER GAME, The
Barry Walsh (guitar) / Chris Mclaren (drums) / Jeff Semple (bass) / Jim Parker (bass; replaced Semple) / Pat Roscoe (keyboards) / Sarah McLachlan (vocals)
Halifax, Nova Scotia band featuring Jim Parker (ex-Steps Around The House), and Sarah McLachlan who would relocate to Vancouver, sign a solo deal with Nettwerk Records and become internationally successful; Walsh would go on to form Cool Blue Halo. [also see COOL BLUE HALO, SARAH MCLACHLAN, STEPS AROUND THE HOUSE]
Compilation Tracks
1986 “Grind” on ‘Out Of The Fog (The Halifax Underground 1986)’ (Flamingo)
1993 “Grind” on ‘Out Of The Fog (The Halifax Underground 1993)’ (Flamingo) FLAM0002CD
OCTOBRE
Eric Lanz (vocals) / Pierre Flynn (keyboards) / Mario Legare (bass) / Jean Dorais (guitar) / Pierre Hebert (drums; 1977-1979) / Gerard Leduc (saxophone, keyboards; 1979) / Richard Pelletier (drums; replaced Hebert 1979) / Franck Darcel (guitar) / Thierry Alexandre (bass) / Eric Morinière (drums)
Octobre was formed in Québec by four childhood in 1971 by four childhood friends: Peter Flynn (words and music, vocals, piano, keyboards), Jean Dorais (guitar), Mario Légaré (bass) and Pierre Hébert (drums). With only $3,000 between the four of them, they decided to record their self-titled debut first album in 1972 and was released on Pressage Records in 1973. Their interpretation of Québec Progressive Rock brings them critical and commercial success and led to opening slots on tour with British band King Crimson. Two more albums followed in quick succession – ‘Les nouvelles terres’ (1974) and ‘Survivance’ (1975) – which led to Octobre’s appearance at la Fête Nationale du Québec (St. Jean Baptiste Day) on a bill with Harmonium, Beau Dommage, Ginette Reno and Gilles Vigneault.Two albums followed on CBS Records and in 1979 Octobre brought in fifth member Gerry Leduc as saxophonist for the 1980 album release ‘Clandestins’ (on Kébec-Discs). By 1982 the band members were moving into more solo oriented projects and they decided to fold the band. The group has reunited twice – at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1989 and the Festival d’été de Québec in 1996 to promote the launch of Audiogram Records’ ‘best of’ package ‘1972-1989’; Flynn has released four solo albums. In 2005 and 2006 he played the role of Abraham Van Helsing in the musical ‘Dracula’ alongside Bruno Pelletier, Daniel Boucher, Sylvain Cossette and Andrée Watters; Dorais released the album ‘Radioactive’ in collaboration with Marc Desjardins on CBS Records in 1986 with contributions by Octobre’s Peter Flynn (keyboards) and Marc Gabriel (vocals). He is now working in the computer programming business; Légaré has played with many artists such as Lhasa De Sela, Paul Piché, Edgar Bori and is part of Flybin Band with Rick Haworth (guitar), Sylvain Key (drums) and Jean-Sébastien Fournier (keyboards) as Michel Rivard’s studio and touring band; Hébert still shows up regularly at Québec galas and on TV. [also see PIERRE FLYNN]
Singles
1972 Si on partait/Viens vivre (Les Disques GPI) GPI-3007
1973 La Maudite Machine/Dans Ma Ville (Les Disques GPI) GPI-3013
1974 Quand La Nuit Se Reveille/Il Est Deja Tard (Les Disques Zodiaque/Trans-World) ZO9-343
1976 Tu t’en vas encore ce soir/Bapteme de l’air (Trans-World) T19-920
1978 Le vent se lève/La prochaine dècennie (Columbia/CBS) C5-4178
1978 Le chant du souterrain/Dans ma ville (Columbia/CBS) C5-4199
1980 Cladestins/Le bout de la ligne (Fade-out a Soleil) (Kébec-Disc) KD-9090
1983 Acteur/Nastassja (Pathé Marconi/EMI – FRANCE) FR82-SP1175
1983 Masculin Feminin/Nos amis d’Europe (Pathé Marconi/EMI – FRANCE) 2C008-72718
Albums
1973 Octobre (Pressage/Trans-World) PGP-13001
1974 Les nouvelles terres (Zodiaque/Trans-World) Z0X-6015
1975 Survivance (Disques Total) DT-22015
1976 Survivance [re-issue] (Trans-World) TI-6023
1977 L’Autoroute des rêves (CBS) PFS-90439
1978 Live’ chants dans la nuit [2LPs] (CBS) GFC-80006
1978 Le Meilleur d’Octobre S.V.P. (Disques Total) DT-22020/21
1980 Clandéstins (Kébec-Discs) KD-502
1982 Metropolitan Opera [EP] (Pathé Marconi/EMI – France) A-030-724812
1982 Next Year In Asia – 1972 [EP] (Pathé Marconi/EMI – France) 2C-030-724812
1983 Paolino Parc (Pathé Marconi/EMI -France) 2C-07072718
1995 1972-1989 [2CD] (Audiogram/Select) ADCD-10088
Compilation Tracks
1977 “Quand La Nuit Se Réveille” on ‘Le Québec en Action’ [2LP] (Trans-World) 24523
1979 “Chant Du Souterrain” on ‘Northern Stars’ [2LP] (CBS) 2-CDN-12
2008 “La passe du grand flambeau” on ‘L’Ultime rock progressif du Québec’ (Gala) GAL-113
ODDS
Steven Drake (vocals, guitar, piano) / Doug Elliot (bass, vocals, piano, Casio) / Craig Northey (vocals, guitar, mini-moog, sax, Casio, harmonica) / Paul Brennan (drums) / Pat Steward (drums; replaced Brennan 1994)
Drake (ex-Nerve Tubes, 20th Century), Elliot (ex-Rubber Biscuit), Northey (ex-Hoi Polloi) and Brennan (Animal Slaves) formed The Odds in October of 1987 and their first gig was at the Savoy nightclub in Vancouver later that November. The members of The Odds met in the Vancouver music scene, playing in various bands. Northey and Drake (originally from California) met through a battle of the bands contest and Drake’s act, 20th Century, won. Paul Brennan was a drinking buddy of Northey’s. When Drake and Elliot later hooked up with Brennan, he suggested a worthy fourth member would be Northey and they became Dawn Patrol – a ’60’s and ’70’s cover band. They did this 4 nights a week waiting for that big break to come for their alter egos on weekends, The Odds. Disappointed with the reaction from the Vancouver music scene, the band relocated to Los Angeles where they were spotted by legendary rocker Warren Zevon who adopted them as his band for one tour and an album and also helped them secure a record deal with Zoo/BMG. The Odds first came to the public’s attention through the song “Wendy Under The Stars” from their debut album ‘Neopolitan’. Some controversy erupted as the chorus’s preceding line contains the ‘f’ word, but the band anticipated such resistance at radio and video by substituting the line ‘made love to’ in the offending areas of the song. Momentum grew after the second release, ‘Bedbugs’, in 1993 with its two hit singles “It Falls Apart” and “Heterosexual Man” which, despite being banned or ignored by every radio station in Canada, made for one of the funniest Canadian videos of all time: The Odds in drag with guest ‘actors’ Kids In The Hall (who were dressed, not so ironically, in ‘heterosexual’ roles). Their similarity in style to American Matthew Sweet led to an opening slot on Sweet’s North American tour. Drummer Brennan left in 1994 during the making of ‘Good Weird Feeling’ and has since toured with Mae Moore. Brennan would make one final appearance with Northey and Elliot on the Taste Of Joy album ‘Trigger Fables’ in 1995. His replacement was Pat Steward (Bryan Adams) who had previously played with Doug Elliot in Rubber Biscuit. It was at this point that the band switched from Zoo/BMG to Warner Music. ‘Good Weird Feeling’ became the band’s breakout album with the hits “Truth Untold” and “Eat My Brain” – the latter used in the Steven Drake produced soundtrack of Kids In The Hall’s ‘Brain Candy’ movie. The song’s humorous video featured a chase sequence starring members of TPOH and Junkhouse. The Odds would also appear as the backing musicians on two Bruce McCulloch tunes also in the movie – “Some Days It’s Dark” and “Happiness Pie”. Despite this homegrown success, the band were never able to headline their own tour and were instead relegated to double bills with the likes of 54.40 and The Killjoys. The association to 54.40 afforded Steven Drake the opportunity to produce that band’s ‘Trusted By Millions’, followed by mixing work for The Tragically Hip on their ‘Trouble In The Henhouse’ CD. 1996’s ‘Nest’ continued in the band’s power-pop approach and featured the hits “Someone Who’s Cool” and “Nothing Beautiful”, but despite the advent of continuous touring, the band found itself more involved in outside projects (like being Murray McLaughlin’s backing band on his album ‘Gulliver’s Taxi’ and Kim Stockwood’s ‘Bona Vista’), leaving The Odds without a direction. 1997 was full of disjointed tour dates and completion for the soundtrack to ‘Dog’s Park’. But the band did manage to salvage 1998 with some larger festival gigs. Following the backing band position with George Martin on his 1999 ‘In My Life’ tour, the Odds went gone on permanent hiatus (this was amicable as per an internet message on March 15, 1999 from Craig Northey confirming that he’d left the band). Later that year the members of The Odds, minus Steven Drake reformed as Sharkskin, an all-instrumental band, with the addition of Simon Kendall (keyboards). Craig Northey has also been busy as a songwriter for hire with a new publishing deal. He has written material with the likes of Jesse Valenzuela (ex-Gin Blossoms) among others and has released his own solo projects. In early 2006 The Odds’ song “Someone Who’s Cool” was used as the theme song to the short-lived CBS music industry comedy ‘Love Monkey’ starring fellow Canadians Tom Kavanagh and Jason Priestly; The Odds reconvened as The New Odds in 2007 with Murray Atkinson filling the chair left empty by Steven Drake (who continues his busy production career. Odds released a new album in 2008 entitled ‘Cheerleader’ and toured to support it. with additional notes from Nicole Amadio, Kevin Gandel and Paul Myers. [also see CRAIG NORTHEY]
Singles
1991 Love Is the Subject (Zoo/BMG) ZP-17028
1991 King of the Heap (Zoo/BMG) ZP-17055
1992 Wendy Under the Stars (Zoo/BMG)
1993 Heterosexual Man/The Best Things (Zoo/BMG) ZP-17127
1993 It Falls Apart/Fan Letter/Tara Says (Zoo/BMG) ZP-18090
1993 Yes (Means It’s Hard to Say No) [remix]/Do You Know (Zoo/BMG) ZP-18105
1994 Jackhammer (Zoo/BMG)
1995 Truth Untold (Warner) PRCD-9282
1995 Eat My Brain/Family Cauldron/Someone I’m Not (Warner) PRCD-9525
1996 I Would Be Your Man (Warner)
1996 Someone Who’s Cool (Warner) PRCD-9714
1997 Nothing Beautiful (Warner)
2016 Love Is What You Get (Hidden Pnny)
2023 Fall Guy [DigiFile] (Dog Of Thunder)
2023 Crash The Machine [Digi-File] (Dog Of Thunder)
2023 Walk Among The Stars [Digi-File] (Dog Of Thunder)
Albums
1991 Neopolitan (Zoo/BMG) 451101
1993 Bedbugs (Zoo/BMG) 451105
1995 Good Weird Feeling (Warner) W2-98980
1996 Nest (Warner) W2-16618
2000 Singles: Individually Wrapped (Warner)
2005 The Essentials (Warner) WSM-2-62512
2012 Four Hits: The Odds (Sony)
2013 Universal Remote (Hidden Pony)
2013 The Most Beautiful Place On Earth (Hidden Pony)
2014 Party Party Party [5-song DigiFile EP] (Hidden Pony)
2014 Game Face On [5-song DigiFile EP] (Hidden Pony)
2023 Crash The Time Machine (Dog Of Thunder)
as THE NEW ODDS
2008 Cheerleader (Pheromone) PHER-CD1001
Compilation Tracks
1991 “Kings Of Orient” on ‘A Lump of Coal’ (First Warning/BMG) 575702
1993 “Heterosexual Man” on ‘New Stuff Four’ (MMS) NSCD-004
1996 “Pipefitter’s Clubhouse” on ‘A Tribute to Hardcore Logo’ (BMG) 214208
1996 “Truth Untold” on ‘Grooves, Volume 13’ (Time-Life) A-028085-R980-13
1996 “Somedays It’s Dark” and “Happiness Pie” [as Death Lurks], and “Eat My Brain” on ‘Brain Candy” Music From the Motion Picture Soundtrack’ (Matador) OLE-183
1998 “Out Come Stars” on ’30 Hour Famine’ (Nettwerk) W2-30126
ODETTE, Paul
From Toronto, Ontario.
Odette’s debut album, ‘Odette,’ was self-produced. His follow-up, ‘Paul Odette,’ was produced by Deep Purple/Symphonic Slam keyboardist David Stone and spawned the single “All Hands On Board.” A follow-up non-album single, “Blue Moods,” was produced by Ray Materick.
Singles
1977 All Hands On Board/Thunder Dead Ahead (Parklane) PR-001
1977 Blue Moods/Rosalin (Parklane) PR-003
1978 Time To Go/Maritime Bold (Parklane) PR-004
Albums
1975 Odette (Mongsound Studio Production) T-56742
1977 Paul Odette (Parklane) PR-002
ODIUM
Andrew Fullerton (guitar) / Bo Louther (guitar) / Dale Burrows (acoustic guitar, bass, vocals) / Joe Mullen (drums) / Tom Emmans (vocals)
Odium was formed in Walkterton, Ontario in 2006.
Albums
2007 Glass Barricade [3-song EP] (Odium) [no cat.#]
2009 At The Bottom (Year Of The Sun) YOTS-41201
2012 Burning The Bridges to Nowhere (Year Of The Sun) YOTS-76140
2015 Terraform (Year Of The Sun) [no cat.#]
Compilation Tracks
2010 “Frailty” on ‘True North Loud And Free’ (Sonic Unyon)
2012 “No Way Out” on ‘Happy Metal Annihilation! Vol. 2’ [DigiFile (Asher Media Relations)
2014 “Failure II” on ‘Happy Metal Annihilation! Vol. 4’ [DigiFile] (Asher Media Relations)
2015 “Return To Form” on ‘Happy Metal Annihilation! Vol. 5’ [DigiFile] (Asher Media Relations)
OFF AND GONE
Phil Western / Dan Handrabur
Industrial trance and dance duo from Vancouver, British Columbia. Western was also a member of Download (as “DJ Philth”), Kone, PlatEAU with Skinny Puppy’s cEvin key, Frozen Rabbit with Tim Hill, played drums in A Spectre Is Haunting Europe, and Beehatch with Download’s Mark Spybey; Handrabur has also been in Shukar Collective and Weed; Phil Western died February 4, 2019. [also see PHIL WESTERN]
Singles
1996 Shasta/Sigma Receptor [12″] (EYE Q – US) EYE-UK-006
Albums
1994 EP [5-song EP] (independent) ED-015
1996 Everest (Harthouse) HH-PROCD-003
1996 Sigma Receptor [3-song EP] (Harthouse) HH-44018
as FLOATPOINT
1995 Beam Error (Apollon International) APCY-8263
Compilation Tracks
2000 “Decaying Orbit” on ‘Wild Planet’ (Sub-Conscious) SUB-17
as FLOATPOINT
2000 “Foundflap” on ‘Wild Planet’ (Sub-Conscious) SUB-17
OFF LIMITZ
Bryce Aulin (vocals) / Graeme Judd (vocals) / Jeffrey Knebel (vocals) / Robbie Maxwell (vocals) / Adam Stanton (vocals)
Off Limitz was formed in Calgary, Alberta in 1998. Their precision vocal R & B (which featured original material) made them popular around the city. They won a TONOSÒ challenge to record with David Foster and Carol Bayer Sager in 2001. The result was the radio single “Forgot About You” which allowed them to headline a Backstreet Boys pre-show concert sponsored by radio station Power 107. They then opened a show for Blu Cantrell in Edmonton, Alberta. They launched a 2002 Summer Tour of North America to support their next single – “Falling in Love” – which included performances in the top 23 markets. Off Limitz appeared on several morning TV shows, interviewed with ‘Pulse’ and ‘Teen People’ magazines, performed at Disney World, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, MTV and large malls across the U.S. Their follow-up single to “Falling In Love” was the song “Over” which was released in the US in February 2003. With notes from Georgina McBride.
Singles
2001 Forgot About You
2002 Falling Love
2003 Over
OFFBEATS, The
Earl Fralick / Garth Proude / Jack S. Lilly / Jim White / Keith Jollimore
From Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Compilation Tracks
1965 “Wild Weekend” and “Swingin’ Shepherd Blues” on ‘Do You “Wanna” Dance – The Best Of Frank’s Bandstand’ (Arc) A-669
OFFENBACH
Gerald ‘Gerry’ Boulet (vocals, keyboards) / Michel ‘Willie’ Lamothe Jr. (bass; 1969-1977) / Roger “Wezo” Belval (drums; 1972-1977) / Jean ‘Johnny’ Gravel (guitar) / Jean Millaire (guitar; 1977) / Norman Kerr (bass; replaced Lamonthe Jr. 1977) / Pierre Lavoie (drums; replaced Belval 1977) / Robert Harrison (drums; replaced Lavoie) / Paul Martel (drums; replaced Harrison 1982) / Denis Boulet (drums; 1969-1972) / John McGale (guitar) / Breen LeBoeuf (bass) / Pierre Harel (vocals, keyboards 1969-1973)
Offenbach was originally called Les Gants Blancs and was formed by Boulet, Lamothe Jr. and Belval in 1969. After “Sainte-Chrone de Neant” during its ‘Mass For the Dead’ was recorded November 30, 1972 at St. Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal, Barclay Records showed interest and released an album in 1972 called ‘Offenbach Soap Opera’ followed by the Mass recording a year later. Lamothe, and Belval, left to form Corbeau in 1977, and Kerr and Millaire left in 1978. The 1979 line-up consisted of Boulet, Gravel, McGale, LeBoeuf, and Harrison. 1980 saw a break from touring as the band spent time recording two albums for Spectra-Scene. By 1982 they returned to touring their hard rocking progressive rock in Québec. At this time Harrison left and was replaced by Martel. Offenbach disbanded in 1985 which was followed by Kebec-Disc’s release of their live album ‘Le Dernier Show’ recorded at the Montreal Forum. Boulet went solo and his material was more introspective than the hard driving rock of Offenbach. After a 4-year battle with cancer, Gerry Boulet died July 16, 1990; McGale formed McGale’s Navy and along with bassist Breen Leboeuf and April Wine drummer Jerry Mercer also played in a group called The Buzz Band; John McGale died in a car accident October 31, 2022. with notes from Pascal Vallieres, Serge Bellerose and Mike Turner. [also see CORBACH]
Singles
1972 Québec Rock b/w Ma patrie est à terre (Deram) DF-571
1973 Caline de doux blues/Faut que j’me pousse (Barclay – France) 61821
1976 Never Too Tender/Running Away (A & M) AM-434
1976 High Down/Running Away (A & M) AM-438
1977 Chu un Rocker/La Jeune Lune (A & M) AM-444
1977 Sad Song/Running Away (A & M) AM-449
1977 La Voix que J’ai/La Jeune Lune (A & M) AM-451
1979 Je chante comme un coyote/Mes Blues passent pu Dans’ porte (Kebec-Disc) KDM-9050
1979 Ayoye/Bye Bye (Kebec-Disc) KDM-9060
1980 Le Blues me Guette/Caline de Blues (Spectra-Scene – France) SS-6001
1980 Ride Ride Ride/Someone On the Line (Spectra-Scene – France) SS-6003
1980 Strange Time/Georgia On My Mind (Spectra-Scene – France) SS-6004
1981 Pourquoi mourir d’amour/Rock de v’lours (CBS) SS-6005
1981 Le bar salon des deux toxons/Palace des Glaces (Spectra-Scene) SS-6006
1985 Coeur en frimas/Seulement qu’une aventure (CBS) C5-7078
1985 La louve/Diable vert (CBS) C5-7107
Albums
1972 Soap Opera (Barclay) 80137
1973 Saint-Chrone de Neánt (Barclay) 80153
1973 Bulldozer [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Barclay – France) 80182
1974 Les grands succès Barclay – Volume 20: Offenbach (Barclay – France) 75020
1975 Tabarnac [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Deram) ADEF-1178
1976 Never Too Tender (A & M) SP-9025
1977 Offenbach (A & M) SP-9027
1979 Traversion (Kebec-Disc) KD-L963
1979 Offenbach en fusion avec le Vic Vogel Big Band (Spectra-Scene) SS-1701
1980 Rock Bottom (Spectra-Scene) SS-1702
1981 Coup de foudre (Spectra-Scene) SS-1704
1983 Tonnedebrick (Kebec-Disc/CBS) PFC-80077
1984 Offenbach et Plume: Live A Fond d’Train (Kebec-Disc/CBS) GFC-80086
1985 Rockorama (Kebec-Disc/CBS) PFC-80103
1986 Le Dernier Show (Kebec-Disc/CBS) GFC-80109
1989 C’était plus qu’une aventure, 1972 – 1985 (Disques Double) DO-CD-30004
1992 1-3-5 [Box Set] (BMG Québec) 10293
1992 2-4-6 [Box Set] (BMG Québec) 10247
1995 Les incontournables: Rock de v’lours (BMG Québec) 32565
1996 Les incontournables: Blues (BMG Québec) 38040
1997 Les incontournables: Rock (BMG Québec) 45380
1998 Les incontournables: En fusion avec Vic Vogel (BMG Québec) 56569
2000 Coffret 5 CD [5 CD (Kâli) KALICD5-4337
2002 Les 20 Plus Grands Succès (Clé de Fa) CDF2-1200
2002 Les Grands Succes Volume 2 (Clé de Fa) CDFCD-1367
2007 L’Ultime Offenbach [2CD (Disques Helena) HEL2-3375
2014 Live À Montreux 1980 (Les Disques Buzz Music) BUZCD-7848
2014 Bacon [2CD (JCM) 01-01-16
2018 Renaissance (PUR/JCM) PURCD-1032
with OFFENBACH AVEC MARTIN DESCHAMPS
2005 Nature (Zone3) ZCD-1052
Compilation Tracks
1980 “Promenaade Sur Mars” on ‘Les Felix’ (Diskade) AD-509
2008 “Oremus” and “Finale d’Edgar” on ‘L’Ultime rock progressif du Québec’ (Gala) GAL-113
OFFICE
Malcolm Swann (vocals, guitar, saxophone) / Ken MacKay (bass; 1980) / Jeff Sawatzky (bass, Moog Taurus; replaced MacKay) / Vincent Evans (guitar, aural fixations) / Jeff Young (drums) / Brian Letourneau (added keyboards)
Office was formed in Edmonton, Alberta in 1980. They became quite popular in the Edmonton and Calgary music scenes due to their bizarre stage shows and excellent musicianship. They played many renowned gigs which included an opening slot for Duran Duran at the University of Calgary in 1982. After recording at Mo Marshall’s Woodbend Studio near Devon, Alberta in July 1982, the band released a 7” single on its own Switch Records. Their cheeky cover of Olivia Newton-John’s hit “Physical” made it onto the charts on Canadian college radio. Office disbanded in 1983. Swann and Sawatzky would go on to found the band Voice with Edmonton guitarist Maury Duchamp. with notes from Jeff Sawatzky.
Singles
1982 Matricide/Physical//King’s Road (Switch) OFF-666
OF THE FIRST BORN SON
Jamie Schoch
From Kitchener, Ontario.
Albums
2007 Of The First Born Son [5-song EP] (Year Of The Sun) YOTS-31282
OH SUSANNA
Born: Suzie Ungerleider on October 25, 1969 in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Suzie Ungerleider was born in the USA but was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia where she kept her personal/professional and artistic lives separate by adopting the pseudonym Oh Susanna. She released a self-titled independent EP in 1997 and after attending the Blue Rodeo ‘Stardust Picnic’ in 1998, she decided to relocate to Toronto as a means of expanding her music contacts and potentially further her career. To that end she released her full-length debut CD, ‘Johnstown’, and launched the ‘Scrappy Bitches Tour’ across North America with Canadian artists Veda Hille and Kinnie Starr. Four more full-length CDs have followed. She appeared on a PBS TV special called ‘Girls of the North Country’ with Dala and Good Lovelies in February 2010. The show and subsequent DVD/CD aired on television in June of that year.
Singles
1999 River Blue (Edit)/Down By the Quarry/Tangled & Wild (Stella – UK) HIT-21
2002 King’s Road/I’ve Got Dreams To Remember/Alabaster (Hot – UK) HIT-23
Albums
1997 Oh Susanna [7-song CD-EP] (Square Dog) STELLA-1
1999 Johnstown (Stella) STELLA-2
2001 Sleepy Little Sailor [4-song EP] (Fargo – France) FA-09012
2003 Oh Susanna (Nettwerk) W2-30337
2007 Short Stories (Stella/Outside) STELLA-3
2011 Soon The Birds (Continental Song City) CSCCD-1074
2014 Namedropper (Sonic Unyon) SUNCD-1532
2017 A Girl In Teen City (Stella) STELLA-008
Compilation Tracks
2001 “Ted’s So Wasted” on ‘Beyond Nashville’ (Manteca – EUR) MANTD-CD205
2001 “River Blue (Live)” on ‘Comes With A Smile Vol. 4 – Let Them In, All Of Them’ (Comes With A Smile) SMILE-004
2001 “Oh My Good Ol’ Gal” on ‘The Rough Guide To Americana’ (World Music Network – UK) RGNET-1080CD
2007 “Greyhound Bus” on ‘Go Play Outside – 13 Great Artists From One Great Label’ (Outside)
2007 “Billy IV” on ‘Even Cowgirls Get The Blues’ (Fargo) FA-0091
OHAMA
Tona Walker Ohama is an electronic minimal wave ‘soundscape’ artist from Calgary, Alberta. He grew up on his parents’ potato farm in Rainier, Alberta where he spent his early years delving into electronic sound a la Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson and Thomas Dolby. with notes from James G. Cyr.
Singles
1983 Julie Is a T.V. Set/T.V. (Ohama) DWM-4544
1984 Midnite News [4 song EP] (Midnite News) MN-0484
1994 You Came Into My Life (Ohama) OMAHA-1TDJ
Albums
1981 Untitled [cassette] (Ohama)
1982 Midnite News [cassette] (Ohama)
1984 I Fear What I Might Hear (Midnite News) MN-1184
1985 Midway/Thin Lines/Without A Word [3 song EP] [12”] (Midnite News) MN-1185
1986 Ohama (Divine – France) MAD-1030
1986 Ohama Meets Dania [w/Darlene George aka Dania] (Ohama)
1994 …On the Edge of the Dream
with OHAMA MEETS DANIA [Darlene George]
1986 Love Only Lasts Awhile (Midnite News) MN-0486
Compilation Tracks
1985 “The Drum” on ‘SNX – The Entomology of Tomorrow’s Popular Music (Hawai) HAWAI-006
1985 An Alberta Music Compilation (Omaha)
1987 “Images (Are Drugs)” and “Fading In the Distance” on ‘In Demand’ (Demand)
1992 “Where Do You Call Home?” on ‘A Canadian Alternative (Second Wave) SW-001
2007 “T.V.” on ‘The Found Tapes: A Compilation of Minimal Wave from North America ’81 -’87’ (Minimal Wave – US) MW-009
2009 “My Time” on ‘The Minimal Wave Tapes, Volume One’ (Stones Throw) STH-2223
2012 “The Drum” on ‘The Minimal Wave Tapes, Volume Two’ (Stones Throw) STH-2281
with OHAMA MEETS DANIA [Darlene George]
1986 “Lonely Heart Dance” and “Take Me Dancing” on ‘4 From the Madding Crowd (Third Mind – UK) TMLP-16
O’HARA, Mary Margaret
Mary Margaret O’Hara (sister of SCTV actress Catherine O’Hara) was a student of The Ontario College of Art and dabbled in the music world during the early 1970’s as vocalist for Toronto’s Songship with Raymond Gassi (guitarist on Klaatu’s “California Jam”). From there she moved onto the Go Deo Chorus until they disbanded in 1983. In 1984 she signed a recording contract with Virgin Records, but it was another four years before the debut of her first album ‘Miss America’. The first single, “Body In Trouble”, was released in early 1989. Critics fell over themselves trying to out ‘adjective’ each other in heaping praise the singer-songwriter. Alas, sales didn’t live up to the critical praise and she all but vanished following an EP of Christmas songs. O’Hara showed up occasionally on other artists’ works such as This Mortal Coil and Everything But the Girl. In 2002 she finally released ‘Apartment Hunting’ – the soundtrack to the independent Canadian film of the same name by Bill Robertson. O’Hara once again received critical praise from ‘The Globe and Mail’, ‘Now Magazine’ and ‘Goldmine Magazine’ in the U.S. with notes from Bill Robertson and Paul Barkin.
Singles
1988 Anew Day/Not Be Alright (Virgin) VS-1225
1988 Blue Christmas (Virgin) VS-1395
1989 Anew Day//To Cry About (Live)/When You Know Why You’re Happy (Live) [12″] (Virgin – UK) VST-1225
1989 Body’s In Trouble/Year In Song (Virgin) VS-1479
1989 Anew Day (Remix)/Not Be Alright (Virgin) VS-1513
2014 This Is What I Want [DigiFile] (Mary Margaret O’Hara)
with MARY MARGARET O’HARA & ROUGH TRADE
2010 Prisoner Of My Skin (Live) [DigiFile] (Carole Pope)
with JIM WHITE, MARY MARGARET O’HARA
2022 And The Angels Sing (Rising: Singles Club) [DigiFile (Rishing Melbourne – AUSTRALIA)
Albums
1988 Miss America (Virgin) V-2559
1991 Christmas [4-song EP] (Virgin) CD-51563
199? It’s Okay To Touch My Fancy (Mary Margaret O’Hara)
2001 Apartment Hunting (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Alliance Atlantis) APTCD-01
with HOLLY COLE, REBECCA JENKINS, MARY MARGARET O’HARA, JANE SIBERRY, VICTORIA WILLIAMS
1994 Count Your Blessings (A Live Recording Of Seasonal Music) (Alert) Z2-81025
Compilation Tracks
1988 “The Year In Song” on ‘The CMJ Prisoner’3073 (Virgin – US) PRCD
1993 “What Are You Doing New Years Eve” on ‘The Best Christmas…Ever!’ (Virgin) VTDCD-23
1996 “You Will Be Loved Again” on ‘Ocean of Sound 2: Crooning on Venus’ (Virgin) AMBT-13
1996 “Florida” on ‘Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation’ (Columbia) CK-67573
1997 “Fürchte dich nicht” on ‘September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill’ (Sony Classical) SK-63046
2001 “Body’s In Trouble” on ‘The Rebel Zone-Queen Street West’ (Sony) CK-80698
2003 “Blue In the Night” and “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” [w/ERIC MINGUS] on ‘Stormy Weather: The Music of Harold Arlen’ (Sony Classical – JAPAN) SICP- 355
2006 “The Cry of Man” on ‘Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, & Chanteys’ (Anti – EUROPE) 6817-2
2006 “Dear Darling” on ‘Rough Trade Shops: Singer Songwriter 1’ (Mute – EUROPE) CDSTUMM273-RTR
2006 “He Got Better Things For You” on ‘The Harry Smith Project: Anthology of American Folk Music Revisited’ (Shout! Factory) 310041
2015 “Tell Me Why” on ‘To Love The Bee Gees (A Tribute To The Brothers Gibb’ [2CD] (80 Proof Media/Foundation To Be Named Later) 80O-003-CD
2017 “Dear Darling” on ‘Maudie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’ [DigiFile (Madison Gate Records)
with BOB WISEMAN AND MARY MARGARET O’HARA
1994 “Love Is A Rose” on ‘Out Of The Blue – An Acoustic Tribute To Neil Young’ (Everyman/Sony) ZT-80202
with MERYN CADELL AND MARY MARGARET O’HARA
1997 “Wash Down” on ‘The Hanging Garden [Motion Picture Soundtrack]’ (Virgin) 844908
with MARY MARGARET O’HARA AND THE SADIES
2010 “Out of the Blue” on ‘Garth Hudson Presents a Canadian Celebration of The Band’ (Curve/Sony) CURV-21
with BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS With MARY MARGARET O’HARA
2012 “Heart A Mine” on ‘Kings And Queen’ (File Under Music) FUM-020
with KEVIN HEARN AND FRIENDS
2019 “Can You Read My Mind?” on ‘Superhero Suite’ [LP] (Celery) CM-860293
with SONGSHIP
2017 “Next Stop Is Heaven,” “The Year In Song,” “Use Your Head,” and “If You Are The One” on ‘Live From Dollar Bill’s – Bootlegger’s Legacy – Volume 2’ [4CD (Dollar Bill’s Apex Group) DB-2
ohbijou
Andrew Kinoshita (mandolin, guitar, bass, vocals) / Anissa Hart (cello) / Casey Mecija (vocals, guitar, ukulele, piano) / Heather Kirby (bass, banjo) / James Bunton (drums, trumpet) / Jennifer Mecija (violin, glockenspiel, melodica, vocals) / Ryan Carley (keyboards)
Toronto, Ontario music collective formed in 2005.
Singles
2005 Misty Eyes/Blizzards/The Woods (ohbijou)
with EGYPTRIXX featuring ohbijou
2011 Old Black/[split w/EGYPRTRIXX] (Less Music – UK) TILES-S005
Albums
2005 Zips and Zings [4-song EP] (ohbijou)
2008 Select Demos [4-song EP] (ohbijou)
2008 Split/[split w/THE ACORN] (Kelp) KP-060
2009 Beacons (Last Gang) Q2-00766
2011 Metal Meets (Last Gang) Q2-01340
OH NO’s, The
Bill Wood (vocals) / Mark Shannon (bass) / Tom Forsythe (guitar) / Larry Potvin (drums) / Tim Clément (guitar) / Mike Lalonde (drums) / Mychael Danna (keyboards) / Andy Ryan (guitar; replaced Clément)
Burlington, Ontario band Darwin won a high school battle of the bands in 1976 and recorded an independent 7″ single. Following the band’s break-up in 1977, Bill Wood moved to Wolfsville, Nova Scotia to enroll at Acadia University. A friend sent an early demo of Wood’s last demo to Q107 in Toronto, and the song won. He reunited with the members of Darwin a week later and performed at Q107’s Homegrown showcase gig at The El Mocambo. They changed their name to The Oh No’s and would tour Southern, Ontario. Clement left to pursue solo work, and was replaced by Andy Ryan on guitar. The band lasted until 1980; Wood and Ryan would go on to form Eye Eye; Clément and Danna would continue to work as a duo on ambient music albums and soundtrack work. As individuals they have both sustained lengthy careers doing soundtrack work; Bill Wood is currently enjoying a solo career with his band Bill Wood & The Woodies; Andy Ryan is a real estate agent; Lalonde died in 2000. with notes from Tim Clément and Bill Wood. [also see DARWIN, EYE EYE, MYCHAEL DANNA, TIM CLÉMENT]
Compilation Tracks
1979 “Not Gonna Cry” on ‘Q107 Homegrown Album – Volume 1’ (Inter Global/Epic/CBS) PEC-90547
OHM AND THE SECRET SOURCES
Pete Morrison [aka Peter Fust] (vocals, synth) / John Deakin (guitars) / Sheila Fust [aka Sheila Faust] (piano, vocals) / Kevin Read (drums) / Astrid Young (bass, backing vocals) / Priscilla Mongeon (backing vocals) / Nick Brewerton (guitar)
Ohm and The Secret Sources and its variations are the brainchild of Pete “OhmAngel” Morrison who was born in Budapest, Hungary. His family initially emigrated to New York, and finally Toronto. At the age of 13 he began writing music on guitar and playing in rock bands. A near-death experience at 21 led him to spiritual studies including getting a diploma as a Goldsmith. He continued his spiritual studies, musical growth, and made a living as a jeweler. His studies also took him to Central and South America where he was invited to work with the Michael Hedges Foundation. While working with the Foundation he wrote a book about the legendary Crystal Skull later adapted as a screenplay called ‘Atlantis Rising.’ After being dismissed by a skeptical world, Morrison found himself back in Canada in the early 1980s where he focused on writing music for film and assembling a band. Ohm And the Secret Sources first appeared as a 5-piece from Toronto, Ontario. They released a 7” single that got airplay on Q107FM and followed it a few years later with a 12” EP entitled ‘Exit From A Dream’. A signing to a European record label led to a tour there in the late 1980s, but a manager embezzled his money and Morrison was forced to return to Toronto financially broker. Morrison would busk for the next three years around Toronto in an effort to raise money to build a recording studio. By 1995 he’d formed a new version of his band which he rechristened Ohm And the Temple of Sound. They’ve released several albums to date. Morrison has also released other projects under the name Ohm Angel and Ohm eYe God. [also see ASTRID YOUNG]
Singles
1980 Baby, Baby/Mad At the World (Ohm) WRC3-1095
1984 Exit From a Dream [4-song 12”] (Ohm) OHM-84007
Albums
as OHM AND THE TEMPLE OF SOUND
1995 Transformation (Ohm)
1996 Transforming (Ohm)
1998 Transformed (Ohm)
1999 Temple Ball (Ohm)
2001 Celestial Highways (Ohm)
as OHM ANGEL
2000 SynChronic (Ohm)
OJIJI
Born: Rupert Harvey on February 9, 1955 in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica
Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey is a Jamaican solo artist who relocated to Canada and formed Crack of Dawn back in the mid’70s. Rupert Harvey was born in Jamaica, but his family moved to Canada when he was eleven years old. While still in his teens, he co-founded the Canadian band Crack Of Dawn – the first all black band in Canada to be signed to a major label (CBS Records) in 1975. They released their self-titled debt album in 1976 and had several successful radio hits particularly the single “It’s Alright (This Feeling I’m Feeling)”. In the late 1970s, he embarked on a solo career. His 1979 solo album ‘The Shadow’ (known as ‘Ojiji’ in Swahili and a name he adopted) was mostly instrumentals featuring Harvey and assists from Crack of Dawn members Andre King, Carl Harvey, Carl Otway, and Paul Douglas among others.In the early 1980’s Harvey co-founded Canadian reggae act Messenjah with Errol Blackwood. A major break came in 1982 when Joe Strummer of The Clash picked the act to open Canadian dates on The Clash’s ‘Combat Rock’ tour. Messenjah was signed to Warner Bros. Records and went on to win many awards including a JUNO Award. After Messenjah disbanded, Harvey released the album ‘Once a Lion’ in 2000 and was briefly in the band The Redeem Team. In recent years he has become head of the Tai Mantis Kung Fu Association in Toronto, Ontario. He was also elected the only non-Chinese president of the 400-year old Praying Mantis Kung Fu School from China. [also see CRACK OF DAWN, MESSENJAH]
Singles
1979 Gerima/O Ji Ji (Ultra) URN1-103
Albums
1979 The Shadow (Ultra) URN2-101
1980 Half Way Home (Ultra) URN2-102
2000 Once A Lion: Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey
O’KANE, Duane
Former member of Vancouver, British Columbia bands Catseye, Carmel/The Original Crayons. In the 1980s after he left the band, O’Kane began a solo career. [also see THE ORIGINAL CRAYONS]
Singles
1987 Stimulate Me/What’s The Matter With You? (Japan) [no cat.#]
1987 Surrender/Don’t Throw Our Love Away (Japan) [no cat.#]
Albums
1987 Voices In The Night (Japan) JAPAN-002
Compilation Tracks
1986 “Voices In The Night” on ‘Pacific Music Industry Association’ [4-song 7″ EP (PMIA) PMIA-001
OLAS, Alain
French-Canadian singer who had early success in 1968 with George Ullmer’s French adaption of the Otis Blackwell song “Don’t Be Cruel” and Olas’ own French adaptation of Blackwell’s “All Shook Up.” Both tracks, released on Citation Records were produced by Michel Pagliaro. With a move to Télédisc, Olas recorded his next single, “Cette Nuit,” with the production help of George Lagios and Michel Pagliaro. Pagliaro would also write the B-side, “Le Voyageur.” Olas would come to the attention of Capitol Records and released two singles of French interpretations of Beatles songs in 1969 “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and “All Together Now” under his first name Alain.
Singles
1968 Sois Pas Cruelle/Fou De Toi (TC Citation/London) CN-9056
1968 Cette Nuit/Le Voyageur (Télédisc) TD-65
1971 Sweet Marie/Comme Un Enfant (Action) AN.7207
as ALAIN
1969 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da/Les Filles D’Aujourd’hui (Capitol) 85.035
1969 Chantez Avec Moi (All Together Now)/Quand Je Reviendrai (Capitol) 85.041
OLD
Rick White (guitar, drums) / Brian Taylor (vocals, bass)
From Toronto, Ontario featuring Rick White (Eric’s Trip), and Brian Tayler (Youth Youth Youth).
Albums
2022 Old [cassette] (Blue Fog) VOID-OLD-4
2023 Old [LP] (Blue Fog) VOID-084-1
OLD MAN LUEDECKE
Chris Luedecke is a singer-songwriter, and banjo player from Chester, Nova Scotia who a JUNO Award in 2009 for ‘Traditional Folk Album Of The Year’. Luedecke toured as a member of The Pan-Canadian New Folk Ensemble with Kim Barlow and Christine Fellows.
Singles
2014 Brightest On The Heart/[split w/RUTH MOODY] [7″] (True North) TNV-010
2019 Easy Money [DigiFile] (True North)
2019 Dad Jokes/Easy Money [DigiFile] (True North)
2024 She Told Me Where To Go/My Status Is The Baddest [DigiFile] (Outside)
2024 Drinking Down The Gold [DigiFile] (Outside)
with OLD MAN LUEDECKE Featuring BAHAMAS
2024 My Status Is The Baddest [DigiFile] (Outside)
Albums
2003 Mole In The Ground (OML) OML-001
2006 Hinterland (Black Hen/FACTOR) BHM-CD-9925
2008 Proof of Love (Black Hen) BHM-CD-9984
2010 My Hands Are On Fire And Other Love Songs (Black Hen) BHCD-0062
2012 Selections From Tender Is The Night [5-song DigiFile EP] (Noise Trade/True North)
2012 Tender Is The Night (True North) TND-569
2013 Folkadelphia Session 9/7/2013 [4-sing DigiFile EP] (Folkadelphia)
2014 I Never Sang Before I Met You [4-song EP] (True North) TND-599
2015 Domestic Eccentric (True North) TND-605
2018 One Night Only! Live At The Chester Playhouse (True North) TNR-693
2019 Easy Money (True North) TND-731
2024 She Told Me Where To Go (Outside) OUT-9281CD
2024 The Raven And The Dove [3-song DigiFile EP] (Outside)
2024 Dreadful Wind And Rain [4-song DigiFile EP] (Outside)
with OLD MAN LUEDECKE & LAKE OF STEW
2011 Sing All About IT [7-song EP] (OML) [no cat.#]
Compilation Tracks
2003 “At The Airport” on ‘Christmas At The Khyber’ (Khyper Digital Media Centre) [no cat.#]
2004 “Little Scream Of Whiskey” on ‘Halifax Indie Sampler 2004’ (Sam The Record Man) INHFXSP-2004
2007 “Cemeteries Downtown” on ‘2007 Sampler: Original And Innovative Roots, Folk and Jazz From Canada’ (Black Hen) [no cat.#]
2007 “At The Airport” on ‘Now Available In Europe • Summer 2007’ (Rounder – EUROPE) CRSCD-813
2007 “At The Airport” on ‘Mainstage Showcase East Coast Music Awards & Conference Halifax ’07’ (East Coast Music Association) ECMA-4
2008 “Proof Of Love” on ‘2008 Sampler: Innovative And Original Roots Music From Canada’ (Black Hen) [no cat.#]
2009 “Proof Of Love” on ‘Across The Continents: Fairbridge Festival 2009 Sampler’ (Fairbridge Festival – AUSTRALIA) FFCD-009
2011 “The Rear Guard” on ’41ème Festival Interceltique De Lorient’ (Keltia Musique – FRANCE) KMCD-537
2013 “I’m Fine (I Am, I Am)” on ‘Maverick Music Vol 4, Issue 120’ (Maverick Magazine – UK) 120
2013 “Luke And Jack And The Super City” on ‘Share More Air’ (Communion/Ministry Of Stories – UK) COMM-077/MoS-13
2017 “Cut Me Off” on ‘Cha Cha Cha: The Songs of Shotgun Jimmie’ (Comin’ Round) [no cat.#]
2018 “Tender Is The Night” on ‘Songlines: Top Of The World 135’ (Songlines – UK) STWCD-111
2019 “Easy Money” on ‘Tønder Festival 2019’ [3CD] (Millstream – DENMARK) 5705934003657
2020 “Easy Money” on ‘The Sound Of True North” (True North) TMCD-202001
with OLD MAN LUEDECKE, TONY DEKKER AND DANIELA GESUNDHEIT
2011 “Welcome To The Dark” and “Listen And Profit” on ‘National Parks Project’ [2LP] (FilmCan/Last Gang) Q1-01327
with OLD MAN LUEDECKE & LAKE OF STEW
2012 “Monsanto Jones” on ‘Mariposa 2012’ (Mariposa Folk Festival) MAR-2012
OLD RELIABLE
Mark Davis (guitar, vocals, percussion) / Shuyler Jansen (guitar, bass, harmonica, organ, backing vocals) / Shawn Jonasson (organ, guitar, bass, synth, rainstick, backing vocals) / Tom Murray (bass) / Scott Lingley (drums)
From Edmonton, Alberta; Jonasson would go on to join The Swiftys; Mark Davis would go on to a solo career; Shuyler Jansen would go on to pursue a solo career. [also see MARK DAVIS, SHUYLER JANSEN]
Albums
1999 Gone Are The Days (Bellwether Songs) OR-GATD-01
2000 The Gradual Moment (Bellwether Songs) OR-TGM-02
2002 Pulse Of Light Dark Landscape (Bellwether Songs) OR-POLDL-03
OLIVER KLAUS
Maurice Singfield Jr. (guitar) / Bryan Singfield (drums) / Graham Worden (bass; 1967 – 1968) / Jerry Cushen (bass; replaced Worden 1969)
The brothers Singfield from Waterloo, Québec began playing music in high school by the mid-1960s. Having been inspired by The Beatles, they formed several bands before settling on the name Oliver Klaus (Maurice’s middle name) with bassist Graham Worden in 1967. They played mainly high schools but did manage a performance at the Man And His World Pavillion during Expo ’67 in Montréal. Jerry Cushen (from Fulford, Québec) would replace Worden in 1969. The band built their own recording studio in the basement of a restaurant. The scrounged up used recording gear and laid down original songs for the A-side of their self-produced, self-titled debut album; the flip-side live performances from a show at the Waterloo Arena. They released the album independently in 1969. The band would make in-roads around Québec and released several singles. The first was on Trans-World who distilled the songs “(Good Morning) Here Comes The Sun” and “Feeling Groovy” from the debut album. They would also license material to Aquarius Records in 1976 for a one-off single of Alan O’Day’s “Rock and Roll Heaven,” that they would re-issue on their own Capt. Moze label in 1977. The group disbanded not long after, but Maurice and Bryan reunited in the 1990s and released a CD of new material called ‘Homeless’ in 1996; the brothers still perform together on occasion as Oliver Klaus; Jerry Cushen passed away in the mid-2000s. with notes from Klemen Breznikar.
Singles
1970 (Good Morning) Here Comes The Sun/Feeling Groovy (Trans-World) TW-1733
1976 Rock And Roll Heaven/Take My Mind, Take My Soul (Aquarius) AQ-5068
1976 Long Lost Memories/It’s Another Weekend (Capt. Moze) 6023
1977 Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven/Past the Hour of Eight (Capt. Moze)
Albums
1970 Oliver Klaus (Capt. Moze) M-8841
1990 Oliver Klaus [re-issue] (No Exit)
1996 Homeless (Capt. Moze) CM-96-1
Compilation Tracks
2019 “Here Comes The Sun” on ‘Sad About The Times’ (Anthology) ARC-064
OLIVIERI, Anna Marie
From Grimsby, Ontario.
Singles
1983 Misunderstandin’/Clear Over My Head (Pocket) P-001
OLLIVER, George
Born: January 25, 1946 in Toronto, Ontario
Died: George Olliver April 6, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario’s George Olliver – nicknamed ‘The Blue-Eyed Prince of Soul’ – started his singing career in the early 1960s with a group called The Roulettes. After joining the Five Rogues (along with Domenic Troiano) in the mid-60s, the group became The Mandala and had a modicum of success in Canada and the US. Olliver left Mandala to form George Olliver And The Soul Children in late 1967. By 1970 he’d formed Natural Gas whose debut album charted Top10 in Canada and Top50 in the United States. Olliver was also briefly signed to CHUM Ltd.’s record label Much Records before going on to become co-owner of Club Bluenote from 1982 to 1992. He had the honour of booking and performing with such legends as Wilson Pickett, Martha Reeves, Etta James and newcomer Whitney Houston before recording the George Olliver & Gangbuster (featuring Shawne Jackson, Roy Kenner, Jayson King, and Wayne St. John) album ‘Live At Club Bluenote’ which garnered a JUNO Award nomination for ‘Best R & B Album’ in 1985. He would also release his first full solo album, ‘Dream Girl’, in 1987. In recent years Olliver has recorded several Gospel albums; George Olliver died April 6, 2025. [also see MANDALA, NATURAL GAS]
Singles
1973 I May Never Get To See You Again/Shine (Much) CH-1024
1987 Dream Girl/Please Don’t Call (Slott) C-644
Albums
1987 Dream Girl (Slott) CRCD-001
with GEORGE OLLIVER
1985 Live At the Blue Note (Quality) SV-2127
with GEORGE OLLIVER’S GOSPEL SOUL
200- Look Up (Hunter-Hughes)
with CAUGHT AWAY featuring GEORGE OLLIVER
200- Live At The Unionville Alliance (Hunter-Hughes)
Compilation Tracks
1983 “Renegade” and “Up On the Roof” on ‘Live At the Bluenote’ (Quality) SV-2127
OLSEN, Steven Lee
Toronto-born Steven Lee Olsen decided to pursue his music career in Nashville, Tennessee in the early 2000s at the age of 20. To that end, his work ethic in performing and writing led him to co-writing platinum-certified, chart-topping, and award-winning songs with the likes of Keith Urban, Kip Moore, and Dallas Smith. His songs have amassed over 50 million streams, including pop-country oriented hits like “The Woods”, his love-letter to Nashville “Nashville or Nothing”, and the CFL ON TSN Song of the Season “What You’re Made Of” which received broadcast coverage through 2021.
Singles
2009 Make Hay While The Sun Shines [DigiFile] (Open Road)
2014 Never Done It Like This [DigiFile] (Columbia Nashville)
2014 Raised By A Good Time [DigiFile] (Columbia Nashville)
2015 Just Like Love [DigiFile] (Columbia Nashville)
2019 Hello Country [DigiFile] (SLO Circus)
2019 Blue Ain’t Your Color (Live From The Bluebird Café) [DigiFile] (SLO Circus)
2020 Talkin’ About Last Night [DigiFile] (SLO Circus)
2020 If You’re With Me [DigiFile] (SLO Circus)
2020 Unhappy Hour [DigiFile] (SLO Circus)
2020 Can’t Not [DigiFile] (SLO Circus)
2020 Can’t Not (Acoustic) [DigiFile] (SLO Circus)
2021 Christmas Is Hittin’ Me Different/White Christmas [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2022 Relationship Goals (Acoustic Version) [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2022 Nashville Or Nothing [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2022 Nashville Or Nothing (Stripped)/Nashville Or Nothing [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2022 The Woods [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2022 House A Home [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2023 Outta Your [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2023 Outta Yours (Acoustic)/Outta Yours [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2023 Happy Heavenly [DigiFile] (Neslo/Starseed)
2024 Bigger Than This Town [DigiFile] (Starseed)
2024 Waste Of Space [DigiFile] (Starseed)
2024 Raised By A Good Time (Acoustic) [DigiFile] (Starseed)
Albums
2009 Introducing Steven Lee Olsen [3-song DigiFile EP] (Open Road)
2018 Timing Is Everything [7-song DigiFile EP] (SLO Circus)
2021 Thinkin’ About You [DigiFile] (The Core/Universal)
2024 Out Here [3-song DigiFile EP] (Starseed)
Compilation Tracks
2015 “Just Like Love” on ‘Country Heat 2016’ (Sony/Warner) 88875144792
2015 “Raised By A Good Time” on ‘Official 2015 ACM Awards Zinepak’ [2CD] (ZinePak – US) [no cat.#]
2015 “Raised By A Good Time” on ‘So Country 2015’ [2CD] (Sony/Universal – AUSTRALIA) 88875063092
ON
Compilation Tracks
1996 “Secret” on ‘Canadian Music Week 1996’ (Molson Canadian Rocks) [no cat.#]
1997 “Make Me” on ‘1997 Toronto’s New Rock Search’ (102.1 The Edge) 1997-EDGE3
1999 “Crash” on ‘Ring N’ Ears WrestleMusicFest – The Compilation’ (Ring N’ Ears) RNE-001
ONCE, The
Geraldine Hollett (vocals) / Phil Churchill (guitar) / Andrew Dale (guitar, mandolin)
Folk trio The Once are from St. John’s, Newfoundland and consist of three actors who also like to play music. The trio was signed to Borealis in 2010. They released their self-titled debut that year and their sophomore effort, ‘Row Upon Row of the People I Know’, in 2012. The Once have won several East Music Awards.
Albums
2010 The Once (Borealis) BCD-204
2011 Row Upon Row of the People They Know (Borealis) BCD-212
2012 This Is A Christmas Album (The Once) 7-41360-3549-2-0
2014 Departures (Nettwerk) 0-6700-31024-2-1
2016 We Win Some We Lose [7-song EP] (The Once)
2018 Time Enough (The Once) TOCD-18
2022 Acoustic Vol. 1ce (The Once)
ONE
Chris Taylor (vocals) / Basil Chiasson (lead guitar) / Chris Murray (vocals) / Dave Hodge (keyboards, trombone) / Matt Watkins (trumpet) / Robbie Dee (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, programming, dub electronics / Terrence Kofi (bass) / Tim Foy (drums) / Tim Lane (drums, organ, clav, keyboards, percussion, mandolin, melodica, guitar) / Darren Shearer (congas, didgeridoo) / Charles Sinclair (bass) / Gary Lowe (bass) / Ira Zingraff (horns)
Ska/reggae act formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1989. After a successful 12″ remake version of The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” the band’s full-length indie album ‘A Matter of Truth’ was released in 1992. They managed to attract the attention of Virgin Records in 1993 and their 1994 ‘Smokin’ The Goats’ yielded two hits in “Wide Load” and “54-46.” The band was backing being independent in 1995 and original vocalist Chris Taylor left the band. He was replaced by Chris Murray (ex-King Apparatus). Their final album was 1997’s ‘Siboney Dub Style’ which featured Big Sugar bassist Gary Lowe.
Singles
1994 Wide Load [3 mixes] (Virgin) ONE-001
1994 54-46 [4 mixes] (Virgin) DPRO-15446
Albums
1990 You Can’t Always Get What You Want [4-song 12″] (One Drop) RDR12-163
1992 A Matter of Truth (One Drop) 0000001-CD
1994 Smokin’ The Goats (Virgin/EMI) 72438-39723-2-6
1995 Live And Direct (From Kingston) (One Drop) CD-OLAD01
1997 Siboney Dub Style (One Drop) CD-OSDS02
Compilation Tracks
1991 “Wide Load” on ‘Indie-Can ‘91’ (Intrepid) CD-4
1993 “Time For a Change” on ‘New Stuff Two’ (MMS) NSCD-002
1993 “Shake That Thing” on ‘New Stuff Six’ (MMS) NSCD-006
ONE BAD SON
Geoff St. Germaine (bass) / Kurt Dahl (drums) / Adam Hicks (guitar) / Shane Volk (vocals) / Adam Grant (bass)
From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Singles
2014 Satellite Hotel [DigiFile] (604/Universal)
2015 Psycho Killer – Radio Edit [DigiFile] (604/Universal)
2017 Raging Bull [DigiFile] (604/Sony)
2017 Scream For Me [DigiFile] (604/Sony)
2018 Hurrican [DigiFile] (604/Sony)
2023 I Come Alive [DigiFile] (Known Accomplice)
Albums
2006 This Aggression Will Not Stand (Versailles) 6-8924-00019-2-5
2007 Orange City (Versailles) 6-8924-02002-7-4
2010 Rustbucket – EP [3-song EP] (One Bad Son)
2012 One Bad Son (604/Universal) 25396-03212
2014 Black Buffalo (604/Universal) 25396-06532
2017 Made In The Name Of Rock And Roll (604/Sony) 25396-11285
ONE BLOOD
Jim Ware (bass) / Paul Abrash (drums) / Adam Payne (guitar) / Omar Sheriff (guitar) / Stephen Perry (vocals)
From Toronto, Ontario; Sheriff would go on to A Tuesday Weld; Payne and Abrash would form Crisis Of Faith; Ware would join Dirty Bird; Perry would join Countdown To Oblivion.
Singles
1990 Untitled [9-song 7” EP] (Lobotomy Exchange) LE-01
Albums
1990 One Blood [cassette] (One Blood)
1991 Building a World of Prosperity With…The Efficiency of the Free Enterprise System (Gern Blandsten – US) GERN-001
ONE FREE FALL
Ken MacNeil (vocals) / Jim Moore (bass) / Bob Vespaziani (drums) / Sandy Graham (guitar)
One Free Fall was formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1986 and often played the Toronto Queen Street circuit. The spent much of their time at the Quoc-Te Club in Kensington Market – even naming an EP after the venue when they were signed to BMG Records in 1991. Following their Handsome Boy release, ‘Mud Creek’ in 1993, the band split up. MacNeil, Moore and Vespaziani would go on to found the band Rusty with the Doughboys’ Scott McCullough. [also see RUSTY]
Albums
1986 Where Did Ricky Work? [cassette]
1991 Quoc-Te [5-song EP) (Capitol) C2-96500
1993 Mud Creek (Handsome Boy) HB-001
Compilation Tracks
1993 “So Cool” on ‘New Stuff Six’ (MMS) NSCD-006
1994 “Queen” on ‘Elvis Monday Vol. 1’ (Kinetic) KRD-919
with ART BERGMANN & ONE FREE FALL
1994 “Prisoners Of Rock ‘n’ Roll” on ‘Borrowed Tunes (A Tribute To Neil Young) (Sony/Everyman) Z2K-80199
ONE HORSE BLUE
Ian Oscar (vocals, guitar) / Michael Shelland (vocals, guitar) / Winston Quelch (guitars) / Bob Burghardt (pedal steel; 1978) /Randy Lloyd (bass, vocals) / Ron Vaugeois (vocals, drums) / Mavis McCauley (keyboards; 1980) / Steve Pugsley (bass; replaced Lloyd 1980) / Brent MacNab (guitar; replaced Quelch1980) / Greg Dunstan (bass; replaced Pugsley 1981) / James Wright (guitar; replaced Macnab 1981) / Dennis Vaugeois (guitar; 1981) / Gordon Maxwell (lead vocals, bass; 1993-current) / Larry Pink (keyboards; current) / Jim Foster (electric guitar; 1993)
The origins of One Horse Blue can be traced to Alberta act Pickins featuring Michael Shellard, Winston Quelch, Bob Burghardt, Fred Larose, Karen Sunderland and Doug Johnston. Meanwhile, in Drayton Valley, Alberta, in 1975, Ian Oscar hooked up with high school friends David Brisebois (bass) and his brother Dennis (guitar), Derrick Henningsmoan (drums) and Drayton Carl (guitar) as Stonehenge. They pursued a heavy rock sound influenced by the likes of Deep Purple, Steppenwolf and Iron Butterfly. By 1977 the band had transformed so many times with so many different incarnations that Oscar decided to look for greener pastures. As it happened, Sunderland had quit Pickens and Oscar replaced her. The band recorded and released a single at Sundown Recording Studio. Doug Johnston and Fred Larose left the band shortly after the first single was produced and Ron Vaugeois and Randy Lloyd replaced them on drums and bass. The new act featured Shelland, Quelch, Burghardt, Lloyd and Vaugeois and started performing under the handle One Horse Blue — named after a horse owned by Oscar’s sister and based on the Paul Cotton song by Poco. Under the production tutelage of Wes Daskus the band recorded their self-titled debut album in 1978 for the Vera Cruz label which spawned the Canadian charting hit “Cry Out For The Sun”. During this period they were also enlisted as the backing band for Dakus’s other production project Shannon Two Feathers on the album ‘Dreams That Feed A Gypsy’. More member changes, including the departure of Oscar and Quelch (who formed The Victory Group) preceded the recording of the follow-up, ‘Bite The Bullet’, in 1980. The production chores (and vocal duties) were handled by Shelland and Vaugeios. By 1981’s ‘Livin’ On The Edge’, the band was under the guidance of the only member left — Ron Vaugeois. A version of One Horse Blue featuring Shelland, Gordon Maxwell (bass, vocals) and Shuld recorded the album ‘One Horse Blue’ for Savannah in 1993. Shuld left the band before touring began to raise his daughter. He was replaced by Jim Foster (ex-Fosterchild). The original 1978 version of One Horse Blue reunited for The Edmonton Chamber’s CFR Week “Cowboy Cabaret” on November 10, 2005 at the Shaw Conference Centre with their heroes Poco and Pure Prairie League; Quelch still lives, performs and teaches music in Edmonton and is in the Cathy Kowalski Band; Ron Vaugeois appeared on Tim Feehan’s 1983 album ‘Carmalita’, was a member of the blues act Big Dreamer, and has done engineering work for the likes of R. Harlan Smith.; Michael Shelland kept the One Horse Blue name alive in the 1990’s and also wrote material for Stewart MacDougall and Michael Carey among others; MacNab would go on to co-found Famous Blue Raincoat. He passed away July 4, 2012. with notes from Doug Johnston and Mavis McCauley.
Singles
1978 Cry Out For The Sun/Hold All Your Happiness (Vera Cruz) VCR-102
1978 You And I/For Reasons (Vera Cruz) VCR-110
1978 Deliver Me/Words To Me (Vera Cruz) VCR-113
1979 Bring My Love Around/Mr. Soul (Vera Cruz) VCR-119
1980 Some Women/Blue Room (Vera Cruz) VCR-122
1980 Mr. Soul/Crazy Fool (Vera Cruz) VCR-126
1980 Lost And Found/Sarah (Vera Cruz) VCR-132
1981 Some Night/Piece Of The Sky (Vera Cruz) VCR-137
1981 Runaways/We All Have Our Heroes (Vera Cruz) VCR-142
1981 Livin’ On The Edge/Hey, Boy (Vera Cruz) VCR-145
1982 Breakdown/Love Or Desperation (Vera Cruz) VCR-157
1993 Hopeless Love (Savannah) SVCD-17
1993 Bring Back Your Love (Savannah) SVCD-20
Albums
1978 One Horse Blue (Vera Cruz) VCR-1002
1980 Bite The Bullet (Vera Cruz) VCR-1005
1981 Livin’ On The Edge (Vera Cruz) VCR-1015
1982 On The Street (Vera Cruz) VCR-1022
1993 One Horse Blue (Savannah) SRK-9844
ONE OF YOU
One of You is the work of a Prague, Czechoslovakian woman who escaped to Toronto, Ontario during the Czechoslovakia uprising in 1968. Eventually she moved to Ottawa, and began recording her own music in the early 1980s, releasing singles on her own Scarab Records. Her specific identity is not known.
Singles
1981 Life Is So Hard/Faded Flowers (Scarab) WRC3-1526
1982 When the Sun Comes Up/Don’t Be Desperate (Scarab) WRC3-2105
as THE TRIFIDS
1983 Brainbroom/Invincible (Scarab) WRC3-2669
ONE TO ONE [aka 1-2-1]
Louise Reny (vocals) / Leslie Howe (guitar, bass, keyboards)
Ottawa’s One To One was a duo which evolved out of Ottawa Valley cover band Mainstream (1975-1983). When Reny and Howe decided to break out on their own they sent out demos from Howe’s home production facility. Howe played all the instruments and produced the recordings with Reny singing a la Eurythmics. In 1984, through their manager Clive Corcoran, they landed a deal with Saga’s label, Bonaire in England who flew them to West Germany to record. Their first album, ‘Forward Your Emotions’, took the Canadian charts by storm in 1985. They had three successful singles – “There Was A Time”, “Angel In My Pocket” and “Black On White” before returning back to the studio to work on the album’s follow-up. The act scored three Juno Award nominations in 1986 for ‘Most Promising Group of the Year’, ‘Producer of the Year (Leslie Howe)’, and ‘Recording Engineer of the Year’ (Leslie Howe). The next album, entitled ‘1-2-1’, repeated their initial success with the more guitar driven songs like the chart successful “Hold Me Now” and “Do You Believe” (co-written with Lisa Erskine). With their two album deal finished with the financially troubled Bonaire Records, One 2 One (as they were now called) were hand picked by Herb Alpert for his label A & M Records. 1992’s ‘Imagine It’ was a little more Adult Contemporary and New Country feeling giving the act a cross-over hit with “Peace of Mind”. The follow-up single, “Memory Lane”, achieved subtle recognition as incidental music in an episode of the Hollywood TV soap ‘Melrose Place’. As a non-touring studio act, One 2 One finally ran out of steam as the market would no longer support their brand of pop music. The duo took a break as Howe filled his Distortion Studios with paying production work particularly Alanis (better known as Alanis Morisette). Howe, along with MCA Records’ John Alexander was instrumental in developing Morisette as a teen dance idol early in her career. By the mid-90’s Reny and Howe decided to form a real recording and touring band called Sal’s Birdland featuring Michael Goyette (guitar), Tim Dupont (bass) and Andrew Lamarche (drums). [also see SAL’S BIRDLAND]
Singles
1985 Angel In My Pocket/Where’s The Answer (Bonaire/WEA) 92-87397
1985 Angel In My Pocket (Remix – 8:14)//There Was A Time (Remix)/Angel In My Pocket (Dub) [12”] (Bonaire/WEA) 25-25811
1985 There Was A Time (Dance Mix)/where’s the Answer [12″] (Bonaire/WEA) 25-88570
1985 There Was a Time/Where’s The Answer (Bonaire/WEA) 25-88577
1985 Black On White/Tell Me Straight (Bonaire/WEA) 25-85787
1987 Hold Me Now (Album Version)/Hold Me Now (Edit) (Bonaire/WEA) PRO-625
1987 Hold Me Now (Album Version)/Hold Me Now (Extended Dance Mix) [12”] (Bonaire/WEA) BON-12120
1988 Love Child (Remix Edit)/Love Child (Album Version) (Bonaire/WEA) BON-22127
1988 Love Child (New York Mix)// Love Child (L.A. Version)/ Love Child (Album Version) [12″] (Bonaire/WEA) PRO-641
1988 Do You Believe/Inside These Eyes (Bonaire/WEA) BON-22137
1989 We’ve Got the Power (Bonaire/WEA)
1992 Peace of Mind (Love Goes On)/Love And Rockets/Preview From Album ‘Imagine It’ (A & M) 390855
1992 Memory Lane/Gypsy Girl/Excerpts From The Album ‘Imagine It’ (A & M) 390876
1992 Friends (A & M)
Albums
1985 Forward Your Emotions (Bonaire/WEA) 25-25390
1988 1-2-1 (Bonaire/WEA) BON-12121
1992 Imagine It (A & M) 215364
Compilation Tracks
1986 “Angel In My Pocket” on ‘Super Hit-Sensation – Das Internationale’ [2LP] (Ariola – GERMANY) 302-724
1986 “There Was A Time” on ‘Hit Energy’ (Quality) QRSP-1036
1986 “Angel In My Pocket” on ‘This Is Music’ (Quality) QRSP-1042
1988 “Coming Home” on ‘Reveillon’ (WEA) CDP-632
1989 “Hold Me Now” on ‘The Power Of Love IV’ (Quality Special Products) QRSPD-1089
as MAINSTREAM
1979 “Rider” on ‘Sharechez ’79’ (CHEZ) 106/79
ONE WAY STREET, The
Rick Wanzel (vocals) / Doug Fairbairn (guitar) / Greg Johnston (bass) / Bob Hirtle (keyboards) / Jim Warren (percussion)
From Vancouver, British Columbia.
Singles
1966 Listen To Me (Bring It Home)/Tears (Van Town) VT-101
1967 I See The Light/Tears In My Eyes (Paula) 281
Compilation Tracks
1994 “Listen To Me” and “Tears” on ‘The History of Vancouver Rock and Roll Volume 4’ (Neptoon) VRCA-004
O’NEILL, Mike
Former member of The Inbreds with Dave Ullrich from 1992 through 1998 and was part of a band called The Lodge with Andrew Glencross, Clifford Gibb and Charles W. Austin who released one album in 2009. [also see THE INBREDS]
Singles
with DEVON SPROULE & MIKE O’NEILL
2013 You Can’t Help It/The Fan (Tin Angel – UK)
Albums
1999 Round Numbers [cassette]
1999 I Found A Baby Squirrel, What Do I Do? [cassette]
2000 What Happens Now? (Perimeter/Universal) 810030006-2
2004 The Owl (Zunior)
2012 Wild Lines (Inner Voice) 44652
2012 This Is Who I Am [3-song DigiFile] (Inner Voice Sound)
with DEVON SPROULE & MIKE O’NEILL
2013 Colours (Tin Angel – UK) TAR-038CD
with THE LODGE
2009 Take That, Devil (Gooseberry) GBR-0008
ONIONHOUSE
Shawn Ross (bass) / John London (drums) / Steve McBean (guitar, vocals) / Tolan McNeil (guitar, vocals) / Dave Knight (lead vocals)
From Victoria, British Columbia.
Singles
1991 Onionhouse [3-song 7″ EP] (Final Notice) FN-7002
ONITS, The
Pete Wilkins (vocals, guitar) / Tom Wilkins (vocals, bass) / Stan Hilborn (drums, vocals) / Robb Wildman (vocals, guitar)
Formed in Cambridge in September 1980. The band played in around their hometown. Guitarist Robb Wildman joined in May 1981. The band recorded two original tunes in October 1981 at Wax Works Studio in St. Jacobs. The songs were released as a single. Tom Wilkins would leave at the end of that month. The band would play in Toronto and on the eve of shows in Quebec in March, 1982 the band’s van spun out in a snow storm in Cambridge and the band decided to call it a day after the gig commitment could not be fulfilled.
Singles
1981 Weekend Wrestler/Gamma Ray (Vinyl Dreams) VDR-001
ONLEY, Ruth Ann
Born: Ruth Ann Wallace in Simcoe, Ontario.
Working her way up through the Toronto club and lounge scene in the mid-1970’s, the former singer for the group Carson carved out a solo path which included a single on Art Snider’s Periwinkle label and another with John Mills-Cockell (Syrinx) – that eventually led to a management and recording deal with Larry Gregson and his Track Records label. Two singles were released entitled “Married Or Single” and “Another Motel Memory”, both reaching Top 20 on the Canadian country charts. This led to Onley signing with MCA Records who released her album ‘Hello It’s Me’ in 1984. Two singles were released from the album – the title track and “Nights Like Tonight.” In recent years Ruth Ann Onley has pursued a career in Christian Music.
Singles
as RUTH ANN WALLACE
1977 My Good Friend/When Summer Turns To Fall (Periwinkle) PER-3795
as RUTH ANN
1981 Married Or Single/Time Out For Love (Track) TR-1000
1981 Another Motel Memory/Until I Met You (Track) TR-1001
1984 Nights Like Tonight/Never Got Over You (MCA) MCA-52361
1984 Hello It’s Me/Runaway Heart (MCA) MCA-52431
with CARSON
1973 Make A Song/Happy (Dominion) 166
with RUTH ANN WALLACE WITH THE JOHN MILLS-COCKELL BAND
1980 I Love To Dance/[split w/JOHN MILLS-COCKELL ] (Force One) FO.1006
Albums
as RUTH ANN
1984 Hello It’s Me (MCA) MCA-5479
as RUTH ANN ONLEY
1997 The Way… (RAO) 010684
2004 Who Am I? (RAO) 051587
ONLY, Joey
Folk/Outlaw Country/Punk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joey Only has recorded with several bands including The Comrades, and the Joey Only Outlaw Band.
Albums
with JOEY ONLY AND THE COMRADES
2005 Radical Folk Of The Great North (Raven Hymn) [no cat.#]
with JOEY ONLY / THE EFFIGY
2005 Split EP: Quesnel County Country Punk Conspiracy (independent) [no cat.#]
with THE JOEY ONLY OUTLAW BAND
2010 Transgression Trail (The Joey Only Outlaw Band) [no cat.#]
Compilation Tracks
2005 “Song For A BC Fightback” on ‘Citizen’s Rule – An All Anti-Gordon Campbell Compilation’ (Bank-B-Gone) BBG-003
OOK-PIKS, Les [see LES MEGATONES]
ORB SCEPTRE THRONE
Tyler J. “Speaky Talks” Anderson (vocals, guitar) / Ryan “Not Quite Gosling” Nordman (bass, vocals) / Bradley Cuddles (drums)
From Armstrong, British Columbia.
Singles
2024 Puppet Show (Live) [DigiFile] (Tyler Anderson)
Album
2015 Thousand Strangers [DigiFile] (Tyler Anderson)
2019 This Night Is Alive [DigiFile] (Tyler Anderson)
2024 Live And Shitty At Record City [DigiFile] (Tyler Anderson)
ORCHID HIGHWAY, The
Rory MacDonald (bass, vocals) / Jamie MacDonald (guitar, vocals) / Derek Macdonald (keyboards) / Adrian Buckley (drums) / John Woods (guitar) / Scott Perry (guitar; replaced Woods)
Originally formed in Vancouver in 1994 by brothers Rory, Jamie and Derek MacDonald, The Orchid Highway made London, England their hometown, and were a hot act on the UK circuit during the “Brit Pop” years. They returned to British Columbia and added Adrian Buckley (Star Collector) on drums. In 1997 they released a 4-song self-titled EP and spent the next decade plying their power-pop melodies in the ever-shifting Vancouver live-club scene. In 2005 Scott Perry (vocals, guitar) replaced original guitarist John Woods. It would take until 2007 for the group to record its eponymous debut album which was produced by The Odds’ Steven Drake. The album was released independently in Canada that year and on Rainbow Quartz Records in the USA. The first single/video from the album was “Next World” which which was released stateside in May 2008. The band still performs regularly and has been recording their follow-up album for the past four years.
Singles
2008 Next World (Rainbow Quartz)
2008 Sofa Surfer Girl (Rainbow Quartz)
Albums
1997 Fourplay EP [4-song EP] (Naughty) NYTR-347
2007 The Orchid Highway (Naughty) NTYR-XXX
Compilation Tracks
1999 “I Don’t Know What You’re Trying To Hide” on ‘Southern Comfor Rising Stars’ (Not On Label) CMW-1999
2002 “Opiate” on ‘Driving in the Rain 3am: Songs to Get Lost With’ (Bongo Beat)
BB-1960-2
2007 “Medicine Tree” on ‘International Pop Overthrow Vol. 10’ [3CD] (Not Lame Recordings) NL-133
ORDER OF GOOD CHEER, The
Francesco Guidoccio (bass, vocals) / David Tysowski (drums, vocals) / Chris Greenough (guitar, banjo, keyboards, percussion, vocals) / Kyle Wilson (ukulele, omnichord, percussion, vocals)
From Toronto, Ontario.
Albums
2010 Tanto Monta Monta Tanto [2CD EPs] (The Order Of Good Cheer) ACD-5014
ORDGE, Jimmy “Arthur”
Born: 1935 in Donalda, Alberta.
Died: July 1, 2016 in Edmonton, Alberta
Canadian rockabilly singer-songwriter, and guitarist Jimmy Arthur Ordge had two Canadian No.1 country singles with “Irena Cheyenne” in 1967, and later, with “The Ballad Of Muk-Tuk Annie” in 1970. He was nominated for ‘Country Male Vocalist Of The Year’ at the 1978 JUNO Awards. In 1981, his single “Stay Away From Jim” made the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at No.89 on July 24, 1981. Jimmy Arthur Ordge died of cancer on July 1, 2016. In 2021, he was inducted into the Country Music Alberta Hall of Fame.
Singles
as JIMMY ORDGE
1961 Easy Rocking Chair/Let Me Be Your Friend (Quality) 1282X
1967 Irena Cheyenne/If HeartacheS Are The Fashion (Apex) 77027
as JIMMY “ARTHUR” ORDGE
1968 Cold Grey Winds Of Autumn/Somewhere In Our World (Apex) 77070
1968 Chilly Winds/Drunken Drive (Apex) 77084
1969 Hutchinson Jail/She’s Dreaming (Apex) 77101
1970 The Ballad Of Muk-Tuk Annie/I Hope That You’ve Made Up Your Mind (Damon) D-009
1970 The Ballad Of Muk-Tuk Annie/I’m Countryfied (Damon) D-009
1971 Mail Order Bride/Room Full Of Losers (Damon/Compo) D-010
1973 Big Gray Wall/Ballad Of Pierre Oral Bonafee (Quality) 2057X
1975 The Old Man/Ship Of Love (Royalty) R-1000-8
1975 Storytime And Prayers/Big Gray Walls (Royalty) R-1000-12
1975 Just One Night Of Love/Shelter Of Your Eyes (Royalty) R1000-20
1976 Herschel’s Hemi Half-Ton/Ballad Of Pierre Oral Bonafee (Royalty) R-1000-31
1977 He’ll Have To Go/Half Of What You’ve Been To Me (Royalty) R-1000-42
1977 Dawson City (The Ballad Of)/Blue Eyes Cryin’ In The Rain (Royalty) R-1000-60
1979 Storytime & Prayers/[same] (Royalty) RUS-1000-42
1980 I Know She’s Hungry/Overdue In Kansas (Royalty) R-1000-95
1981 Stay Away From Jim/Hard Times (Dore – US) 969
Albums
1966 Tears From A Country Heart (Point/Compo) P-262
1967 Irena Cheyenne – The Hit Version (Point/Comp Records) P-303
1968 The Country Soul Of (Point/Compo) PS-335
1972 Good Times Bad Times (MCA) MCA-7017
1974 Best Of Jimmy Arthur Ordge (MCA Coral) CB-35008
1975 Storytime & Prayers (Royalty) R-2000-7
1977 I’ll Go Anywhere (Royalty) R-2000-22
1978 Greatest Hits (Royalty) R-2000-29
1979 Storytime & Prayers (Royalty) RUS-2000-42
with JIMMY ARTHUR ORDGE & JOYCE SMITH
1970 King & Queen Of Country Music (Point/Compo) PS-360
Compilation Tracks
1969 “Family Bible” on ‘Popular Songs Of Faith’ (Point/Compo) PS-361
1975 “Country Bumpkin,” “The Old Man,” and “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” on ’14 Country Favourites Vol. 2′ (Royalty) R-2000-10
1979 “Blue Eyes Cryin In The Rain,” “Country Bumpkin,” “You’ve Never Been This Far Before,” and “Old Dogs, Children & Watermelon Wine” on ‘Country Classics” [2LP] (Royalty) R2200-40
with CHRIS NIELSEN, JIMMY ARTHUR ORDGE
1975 “Louisianna Woman, Mississippi Man” on ’14 Country Favourites Vol. 2′ (Royalty) R-2000-10
ORFANS, The
Paul “Boots” Loreque (guitar) / Ed Heppner (bass) / Dave Roberts (drums) / Ken Holm (keyboards, vocals) / Ken “Dutch” Schultz (drums; replaced Roberts) / Danny Holmes (lead guitar, vocals; replaced Loreque) / Marcus Fisher (drums, vocals; replaced Schultz)
Formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1964 by Loreque and Heppner, they soon recruited Roberts and Holmes to round out the quartet. They would rehearse frequently and made their debut in Churchill, Manitoba before venturing into the Winnipeg community club circuit. Roberts left and was replaced by ex-Kingbeats drummer Dutch Schultz. The band developed a reputation for intricate harmonies on cover versions of songs by The Zombies as well as their blond hair, white suits, and white guitars. After dominating the Winnipeg, they ventured east looking to make a name for themselves in Toronto’s Yorkville Village, but the pay was so bad that they had to haul their gear by streetcar to shows. Loreque bowed out to be replaced by Holmes. Schultz then left and was replaced by Fisher on drums. This final version of the band would record a single as OR FAN on their own imprint in 1968. The band would fort shortly thereafter; Loreque went on to play in Coach ‘n’ Four and Fellowship with Heppner (who also went on to be in Granny, and B.B. Bullion); Holmes joined Chopping Block. With notes from John Einarson.
Singles
as OR FAN
1968 Stone Fence/Shadow (Nafro) MG-6701
Compilation Tracks
2009 “Stone Fence” and “Shadow” on ‘Buried Treasures (Winnipeg Rock Gems 1958-1974)’ (Super Oldies) SOCD-9
ORGANIZATION, The
Doug Roche (lead guitar, gazzoo, tambourine, vocals) / Harry Melvin (drums, gazzoo, tambourine, maracas, vocals) / Allan Misener (bass, gazzoo, tambourine, percussion, vocals)
From Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Album
1970 The Organization (Music Stop) MSLPS-100
ORGANIZED RHYME
MC Bones [aka Tom Green] / Pin the Chameleon [aka Greg Campbell, Mr. Bigstuff] / DJ Signal [aka Geordie Ferguson]
Formed in Ottawa in 1990 as one of Canada’s earliest Hip Hop acts, the group made a big splash in a short period of time with their debut album ‘Huh? Stiffenin Against the Wall’ featuring the break-out hit “Check the O.R.” before splitting up in 1992. They would reunite and release their sophomore album ‘Too Young To Die’ in 2008; Tom Green would go on to have success on cable access TV with ‘The Tom Green Show’ in Ottawa, Ontario before finding fame in Hollywood as an actor/comedian – and being married, briefly, to Drew Barrymore. [see TOM GREEN]
Singles
1992 Check The O.R. [4 mixes 12″] (A & M) BOOM-1
1992 Warm And Easy [6 mixes 12″] (A & M) BOOM-2
Albums
1990 Huh? Stiffenin Against the Wall (Beat Factory/A & M – US) 828397202-2
2008 Too Young To Die
ORGAN THIEVES
Chuck Coles (vocals, guitar) / Dave Baksh (guitar) / Mike Smith (bass)
Coles would go on to release solo material and to work with United Snakes. He would record as Organ Thieves again in 2020 for the single “Big Thumbs.”
Singles
2012 Phoebe [DigiFile (Maple Music/Fontana North)
2020 Big Thumbs [DigiFile (Chuck Coles)
Albums
2012 Somewhere Between Free Men And Slaves (Maple Music/Fontana North) MRCD-6540
ORIGINAL CASTE, The
Dixie Lee Innes [nee Stone] (vocals) / Bruce Innes (lead guitar) / Bliss Mackie (rhythm guitar, vocals) / Graham Bruce (bass) / Peter Brown (drums) / Joseph Cavender (drums; replaced Brown 1970) / Gary Carlson (bass; replaced Bruce 1972) / Dennis Coats (rhythm guitar; replaced Mackie 1972) / Tom Doran (drums; replaced Cavender) / Richard Harrow (later addition) / Glenn Mundy (later addition) / Julian Kerr (vocals; later addition) / John Dunn (later addition) / Cheryl Morrell (vocals; 2005) / Jilla Web (vocals; 2006)
Following some musical work in the US, and the completion of his formal education at the University of Montana, Bruce Innes finally returned to Calgary, and began performing in a small renowned coffee house called The Pig’s Eye at the same time as undiscovered performers like Joni Anderson (later to be Joni Mitchell) and David Wiffen. Using this as a performance base, he formed The North Country Singers with Graham Bruce (bass) and Joseph Cavender (drums). Innes saw Sotan Recording artist Dixie Lee Stone performing there as well and soon asked her to join the ensemble. The group headed out on a cross s Canada tour, swinging down into the US where they picked up Portland, Oregon native Bliss Mackie as second guitarist eventually landing in Los Angeles and changing their name to The Original Caste. Through Innes’s former label, Dot Records, they recorded two singles including “I Can’t Make It Anymore” (1968) which was less than a blip on the music industry radar. However, after signing with TA Records, a label distributed by Bell Records (Columbia), in 1969, Innes met writers Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, who would produce The Original Caste’s first album. They struck pay dirt after releasing the duo’s “One Tin Soldier” that same year. The song made No. 6 on RPM Weekly chart and No. 34 on the Billboard Top40 and went to No.1 on the CHUM Chart. They charted even higher with “Mr. Monday” which hit No. 4 on RPM Weekly’s chart and No. 3 on the CHUM Chart in Canada. The two singles combined, worldwide, sold over three million copies. Despite the failure of “Mr. Monday” to chart in the US, they landed opening slots for the likes of BB King and Glen Campbell south of the border and made numerous TV appearances. “One Tin Soldier” had a revival of sorts in 1972 when it was featured in the movie ‘Billy Jack’, however it was not the Original Caste on the soundtrack but rather American band Coven featuring singer Jinx Dawson. The singles made another round at radio and had significant sales after being re-issued. The husband and wife team of Dixie Lee and Bruce Innes would record together and as solo artists as a continued extension of their Original Caste recording contract through Bell. With switch to Century II Records out of Canada, the new four-piece version of the group (now with Gary Carlson on bass and Tom Doran on drums) released the ‘Back Home’ album in 1974. The new version of Original Caste toured into the late 1970’s. When the band made its final split in 1980 so did the Innes’; Through the 1980s Dixie Lee Innes fronted a band called the Katzenjammers with Dennis Ferbey (vocals, bass), Robert Edwards (vocals, guitar), and Grant Sinclair (drums). Dixie Lee Innes remarried, and became a social worker in Vancouver, British Columbia.; Bruce began jingle and film score work, remarried and moved to Washington. He currently lives in Idaho. In 2000 Bruce Innes produced country artist Brenn Hill utilizing the help of veteran country/folk singer Ian Tyson; Mackie died in 2004; Joe Cavender now resides in Seattle, Washington; Carlson now resides in Bellevue, Idaho; Coats now resides in Sandpoint, Idaho. With the release of ‘The Best Of The Original Caste’ in Japan in 2005, another revival of the act returned with a line-up headed by Bruce Innes and Cheryl Morrel on vocals. In 2008 Innes, with new vocalist Jilla Web, a featured artist with Las Vegas show “Superstars Live In Concert,” re-recorded “One Tin Soldier” with the Nashville Children’s Choir. A new CD is planned. Innes and Web) can be seen in concert in theaters across the US performing their highly acclaimed traveling show ‘One Tin Soldier Rides Again.’ Bruce Innes died September 28, 2023; Dixie Lee Innes died September 30, 2024. with notes from Bruce Innes. [also see BRUCE INNES, DIXIE LEE INNES]
Singles
1968 I Can’t Make It Anymore/Just Like Tom Thumb Blues (DOT) 45-17071
1968 Snakes & Ladders/I’m So Much In Love With You (DOT) 45-17138
1969 One Tin Soldier/Live For Tomorrow (TA/Bell) TA-186X
1970 Mr. Monday/Highway (TA/Bell) TA-192
1970 Nothing Can Touch Me (Don’t Worry Baby, It’s Alright)/Country Song (TA/Bell) TA-197
1970 Ain’t That Tellin’ You People/Sweet Chicago (TA/Bell) TA-204
1970 One Tin Soldier/Mr. Monday (Flashback – US) FLB-59
1970 Mr. Monday/Sweet Chicago (Bell – JAPAN) 88024
1970 Leaving It All Behind/A Picture Of Bob Dylan (Bell – JAPAN) 88032
1970 Ain’t That Tellin’ You People/Watch The Children (Bell – JAPAN) 88040
1971 Come Together/Nothing Can Touch Me (Bell – JAPAN) 88043
1971 When Love Is Near/Sault Ste. Marie (TA/Bell) TA-211
1971 One Tin Soldier [4-song EP] (Bell – JAPAN) 78002
1972 Greatest Hits [4-song EP] (Bell/CBS/Sony – JAPAN) 78020
1972 One Tin Soldier/Live For Tomorrow [Golden Treasures re-print] (Bell) GT-49X
1973 Don’t Stop Now/Overdose Of The Blues (Century II/Capitol) 1501
1974 We Will Live Together (Song For EXPO ’74)/Give Me The Good News (Century II/Capitol) 1507
1977 Goin’ Home/[same] (Hill Recording/Quality) HH-0701
as THE ORIGINAL CASTE Featuring DIXIE LEE INNES
1977 One Tin Soldier/Mr. Monday (Westmount) WSTM-457702
Albums
1970 One Tin Soldier (TA/Bell) TA-5003
1972 Live In Japan (Bell – JAPAN) BELL-68003-R
1973 Greatest Hits (Bell – JAPAN) BELL-68009
1974 Back Home (Century II/Capitol) ST-17001
2005 The Best of The Original Caste (Universal – JAPAN) N8AUG24-402905
Compilation Tracks
1970 “Mr. Monday” on ’20 Explosive Hits’ (Syndicate/K-Tel) TC-200
1990 “One Tin Soldier” on ‘Made In Canada – Volume Two: Into The ’70’s’ (BMG) KCD1-7158
ORIGINAL CRAYONS, The
Graham Mason (guitar, keyboards) / Frank Dato (drums) / Dave Skinner (guitar) / Caroline Greive (lead vocals) / Greg Ray (keyboards)
Songwriter Graham Mason moved to Vancouver, British Columbia from the UK in 1975. He and Lorraine Pilling, Doug Fitch, Jim Pruden, John Carter, Duane O’Kane, and John Wade (plus later addition Roger Hope) formed Carmel who soon attracted interest from A & M Records. They would record an entire album produced by Randy Bachman at his studio in Lynden, Washington. While the band was recording, the decision was made to change the name of the group to The Original Crayons. Unfortunately, following the completion of the record their deal fell through, and the record was never released. Undeterred, Graham Mason carried on with Caroline Greive, and brought in former Zingo members Frank Dato and Dave Skinner plus Greg Rays as the new version of The Original Crayons. The would record the songs “Going Home” and “Night Of The Angels” which did see the light of day on a Vancouver compilation called ‘Eight On Eight.’ with notes from Dave Skinner, and Duane O’Kane. [also see DUANE O’KANE]
Compilation Tracks
1982 “Going Home” and “Night Of The Angels” on Eight On Eight’ (Steppingstone Production House) SSPH-1000
ORIGINAL SLOTH BAND
Ken Whiteley (guitar, mandolin, washboard, jug, accordion, vocals) / Chris Whiteley (trumpet, harmonica, guitar, bass harmonica, vocals) / Tom Evans (mandolin, clarinet, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, vocals, triangle)
Brothers Ken and Chris Whiteley began playing together in a Don Mills, Ontario high school with friends Tom Evans and brothers Michael Lee & Patrick Lee under the name Tubby Fats’ Original All-Star Downtown Syncopated Big Rock Jug Band. By the end of high school only the Whiteley’s and Tom Evans remained, focusing on folk music and changing their name to The Original Slot Band where they got their professional start playing Yorkville Village coffee houses in Toronto such as The Riverboat Coffee House and the Bohemian Embassy. The trio would work their way up to playing Mariposa and other large folk festivals. The Original Sloth band were tireless workers and took time to record their self-financed debut album, ‘Whoopee After Midnight’, in 1973. In 1976 they’d managed a distribution deal with Posterity for their second album, ‘Hustlin’ And Bustlin’. In 1977 they were asked to accompany Leon Redbone on his first appearance on American sketch-comedy show ‘Saturday Night Live.’ By 1978 their self-titled third album (aka ‘1978’) was made slick at the hands of upcoming Hamilton engineer Daniel Lanois who brought in the rhythm section of future Parachute Club alumni Billy Bryans and Mike Gardner to give the band some help. With a move to Stompin’ Tom’s Boot Records in 1979, Ken Whiteley was the focal point and the group brought in guest artists like The Honolulu Heartbreakers and Blind John Davis to assist on the ‘Up Above My Head’ album. In 1980 Whiteley officially went solo and the Original Sloth Band moniker was retired; The band reunited in 2000 for a special 35th anniversary event for the Flying Cloud Festival; Ken and Chris would continue as session players and released their own solo records as well as delving into children’s entertainment; Ken Whiteley is the co-founder of Borealis Records; Evans left the music business in the early 1980s to be an optometrist in his father’s business practice in Toronto. Evans died of cancer on May 1, 2009. [also see CHRIS WHITELEY, KEN WHITELEY]
Singles
1979 634-5789 [w/THE HONOLULU HEARTBREAKERS]/The St. Louis Blues [w/BLIND JOHN DAVIS] (Troubadour) TRS-3
Albums
1973 Whoopee After Midnight (Sloth) SL-1
1976 Hustlin’ And Bustlin’ (Woodshed/Posterity) PWS-005
1977 Whoopee After Midnight [re-issue] (Woodshed) WS-003
1978 Original Sloth Band (Troubadour) TR-006
as KEN WHITELEY WITH THE ORIGINAL SLOTH BAND AND THE HONOLULU HEARTBREAKERS
1979 Up Above My Head (Boot) BRP-2106
ORION 321
Albums
2001 Orion 321 [3-song EP] (Orion 321)
2001 Bottom Of The Sky (Orion 321)
Compilation Tracks
2000 “Bottom Of The Sky” on ‘The Canadian Independent Box Set’ [9CD (Meathead) MHR-010
OROMOCTO DIAMOND
Jane Ehrhardt (keyboards, vocals) / Jean-Sébastien Grondin (drums, trumpet) / Pascal Asselin (drums) / Sam Murdock (lead vocals, bass) / Pollux (electric guitar) / Nils Thobie (guitar, keyboards, beats)
Oromocto Diamond is a Post-Punk-Experimental project from Québec City that was formed in 2008 by Sam Murdock. Murdock generally tours as a solo Lo-fi-karaoke-gloom-party with bass and a beatbox) but the albums feature additional musicians. Murdock has performed over 175 shows in Canada, Europe, and Japan. [also see JANE EHRHARDT]
Singles
2009 Collision Course [3-song 7″ EP] (P572) P572-LP-38
2019 Plasticity/[split w/DON MATSUO] [7″] (P572/Zbon-Sya) P572-7-82/82
with OROMOCTO DIAMOND + BIGPANTS
2017 SHoOoOUT [2-song DigiFile] (Punkest Tardo) PT8
Albums
2009 Le Choc Du Futur (P572) P572-CD-36
2012 Le Choc D’Oromocto [7-song DigiFile EP] (P572) P572-D-40
2015 Opononi (P572) P572-CD-60
2017 Atlantis [3-song DigiFile EP] (P572) P572-D-73
2017 Atlantis [6-song cassette EP] (Renegat – FRANCE) RGR-008
2019 IV IL IT IR NI TI (P572/Catulle & Ramón) P572-LP-85/CR008
Compilation Tracks
2008 “The Last Diamond In The Cave” on ‘P572 Compilation #3’ (P572) P572-CD-33
2009 “Diamond March” on ‘P572 & Chat Blanc Records – 5 Ans De Musique Et De Révolution’ (P572/Chat Blanc) P572-Z-003/CBR-050
2014 “Intro,” “No Pressure, No Diamonds,” “Osoyoos,” “Maps,” “Elsa,” “Osorio,” “Osamu,” and “Black Feelings” on ‘Oromo Kumakus’ (P572/Donuts Worm) P572-CD-51
ORPHAN
Chris Burke-Gaffney (vocals, bass) / Steve McGovern (guitar) / Brent Diamond (keyboards) / Terry Norman Taylor (drums) / Ron Boisvenue (drums; replaced Taylor)
From Winnipeg, Manitoba. When their punk-tinged act The Pumps lost their record deal with Polydor in 1981, Burke-Gaffney, Diamond and Taylor brought in new guitarist Steve McGovern and re-invented themselves as an Album Oriented Rock act. The landed a new deal with Portrait Records and managed two albums and several singles before calling it a day in 1986. Burke-Gaffney and Taylor would give it one more shot as Deadbeat Honeymooners in the early 1990s; Burke-Gaffney then became a producer and was instrumental in discovering and developing Chantal Kreviazuk’s early career; Terry Taylor died January 1, 2024. [also see THE PUMPS, DEADBEAT HONEMOONERS]
Singles
1983 Saved By The Bell/Night Parade (Portrait/CBS) E4-4348
1983 Miracle/Any Time At All (Portrait/CBS) E4-4353
1985 Lyin’ To Me/Steel & Iron (Portrait/CBS) E4-7086
1985 Open Up The Skies/The Way It Should Be (Portrait/CBS) E4-7112
1985 Open Up the Skies/[same] [12”] (Portrait/CBS) 12-CDN-210
Albums
1983 Lonely At Night (Portrait/CBS) 38873
1985 Salute (Portrait/CBS) 40059
2003 Lonely At Night/Salute [reissue] (Escape – UK) ESM-097
2006 It’s a Miracle…They’re Still Alive: The Very Best of The Pumps & Orphan (Vatikan) 78505-2088-2
ORVILLE DORP
Smilin’ Jack Smith (guitar, lead vocals) / Glen Hendrickson (drums) / Al Jacobs (piano, vocals) / Shelly Kantrow (guitar) / Tom Lavin (bass, vocals)
Formed in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1969, the band released one independent single, “Jesus Marijuana”, and split up in 1970; Lavin and Hendrickson would then form Uproar who released on single on GRT Records; Lavin would then go on to join Prism briefly, and then form The Powder Blues Band.
Singles
1969 Jesus Marijuana/Gutter Rat Man (O.D.) CT-3779
OSBURNE, Marg
Born: Verna Marguerite Osburne on December 29, 1927 in Moncton, New Brunswick
Died: July 16, 1977 in Rocklyn, Ontario
Marg Osburne was a vocalist in the group Don Messer And His Islanders, and was featured weekly on ‘Don Messer’s Jubilee’ CBC-TV show. Messer would often back her and Charlie Chamberlain (also from the TV show), on solo recordings. After Messer died in 1973, Osburne began a second career as a nightclub singer, and was very popular in Western Canada. She was often referred to as “The Girl From The Singing Hills.” Marg Osburne also hosted CBC TV’s ‘That Maritime Feeling’ in 1977 until her unexpected death July 16, 1977. Marg Osburne was inducted posthumously into the CCMA Hall of Honor in 1985 alongside Don Messer and Charlie Chamberlain. [also see DON MESSER AND HIS ISLANDERS]
Singles
1951 Summer At Green Gables/The Wreck Of The John B (Apex) 9-26334
1954 Bookworm/Shamus O’Brien (Apex/Compo) 9-26417
1955 Easy Rocking Chair/There’s A Lovelight Burning In The Window Of My Heart (Apex/Compo) 9-26439
1974 Blues Comin’ Round/Weary Blues (Marathon) 45-1109
1974 City Of Tears/Lonesome City (Marathon) 45-1129
with MARG OSBURNE AND CHARLIE CHAMBERLAIN With DON MESSER AND HIS ISLANDERS
1952 I’m Expecting A Letter/Silver Threads Among The Gold [7″] (Apex/Compo) 9-26325
1957 Honeymoon Waltz/Silver Threads Among The Gold//Charlottetown’s Centennial Breakdown/Shenanigans [7″] (Apex/Compo) EPAS-1
Albums
1966 I Believe (Point/Compo) P-246
1966 The Best Of Marg Osburne (Arc) A-686
1967 The Best Of Marg Osburne [re-issue (Paragon) PGS-564
1970 The Golden Era Of Marg Osburne (Banff/London) SBS-5329
1972 My Kind Of Country (Marathon) MS-2114
1973 Country Gospel (Marathon) MMS-76008
1974 Old, Gold And New (Marathon) MMS-76032
1974 Best Of Marg Osburne (MCA Coral) CB-35007
1982 Country Gospel [cassette re-issue (Oak) C-113
with MARG OSBURNE AND CHARLIE CHAMBERLAIN
1958 By Request Favorite Sacred Songs By Marg Osburne And Charlie Chamberlain (Rodeo) RLP.36
1960 Beyond The Sunset (Apex/Compo) AL-1614
1961 HE: Songs Of Reverence – Vol.2 (Apex/Compo) AL-1621
1966 Songs Of Faith [re-issue of ‘Beyond The Sunset’] (Point) P-274
1967 By Request Favorite Sacred Songs By Marg Osburne And Charlie Chamberlain [re-issue (Banff) SBS-5267
1967 They Never Grow Old [re-issue of ‘HE: Songs Of Reverence – Vol.2’] (Point) P-318
1973 Songs Of Faith [re-issue] (MCA Coral) CB-30003
1973 They Never Grow Old (MCA Coral) CB-30013
with DON MESSER AND HIS ISLANDERS Featuring MARG OSBURNE AND CHARLIE CHAMBERLAIN
1960 Christmas With Don Messer And His Islanders (Apex/Compo) AL-1618
1960 On The Air (Apex/Compo) SA-3
with MARG OSBURNE With RAY CALDER
1963 Songs You Know And Love (Point/Compo) P-212
1963 Nearer My God To Thee (Point/Compo) P-217
1964 That Lonesome Road – Marg Osburne Sings Well Known Spirituals With Ray Calder (Point/Compo) P-226
with THE DON MESSER FAMILY
1971 The Don Messer Family (Banff/London) SBS-5341
1973 Down East (Canadian Cavalcade/Rodeo) CCLP-2003
Compilation Tracks
with MARG OSBURNE AND CHARLIE CHAMBERLAIN With RAY CALDER
1972 “Walking In The Mountains With My Lord” on ‘The Saga Of Canadian Country And Folk Music (Late Forties Through The Fifties)’ [2LP] (Rodeo International) SRLP-2-7121
with MARG OSBURNE With DON MESSER AND HIS ISLANDERS
2009 “Bookworm” on ‘Canadian Country Vol.2’ (B.A.C.M. – UK) CD-D273
OSTER, Al
Born: Albert Adam Oster on December 3, 1924 near Vanguard, Saskatchewan
Died: October 28, 2017 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia
Canadian guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer and record company executive. Made a name for himself in and around Whitehorse, Yukon from the late 1957 -1975. He founded his own Tundra Records in 1958, and later created the publishing company Northland Music Co. and his new record company Klondike Record Company in 1960 (which he renamed to Frontier in 1982). In 1965 he also founded Alkon, Inc. – another record label. Oster would also lend his talents to recordings by The Happy Wanderers and Ben Kerr – The Yukon Troubador; Al Oster died October 2017.
Singles
1958 Next Boar/Midnight Sun Rock (Tundra) T-101
1963 Forty-Nine Days/[split w/GERRY KING] (Klondike) KR-3
1967 Irena Cheyenne/Way Up Alaska Way (Alkon) AK-101-45
with AL OSTER with JAKE DOELL TRIO
1961 The Kee-Bird/Waltz Of The Yukon (Klondike) [no cat.#]
Albums
1960 Al Oster Sings Yukon Gold (Klondike) KR-1
1962 Northland Ballads (Klondike) KRLP-2
1963 Alaska Star 49 (Klondike) KRLP-3
1967 Alaska [2LP] (Alkon) AK-1001
1982 Yukon Ballads (Frontier) FRSLP-1006
1987 The Yukalaska Spell (Cattle – Germany) LP-108
1987 The Yukon Balladeer Al Oster Sings (Cattle – Germany) LP-109
Compilation Tracks
1967 “Yukon Gold,” “Squaws Along The Yukon,” “’98 Trail,” “There’s Gold In Them Thar Hills,” “Buckets Of Steel,” and “When The Ice Worms Nest Again” on ‘The Yukon Stars’ (CBC International Service) 262
1983 “Midnight Sun Rock” and “Next Boat” on ‘Great Rarities From Various Artists Vol. 1’ (White Label – Netherlands) WLP-8850
1990 “Paddle Wheeler” and “My Book Of Yukon Memories” on ‘Musexplo Volume 1 & Volume 2 / Aventure Musicale Canadienne/Canadian Musical Adventure’ [2CD] (Fusion III) SAM-CDS1/2
1995 “Midnight Sun Rock” on ‘Ultra Rare Rockabilly’s, Volume 11’ (Chief – Netherlands) CCD-1156511
1995 “Midnight Sun Rock” and “Next Boat” on ‘Early Canadian Rockers, Vol. II’ (Collector – Netherlands) CLCD-4427
1997 “Way Up Alaska Way” on ‘Rock-A-Billy Party’ (Buffalo Bop – Germany) Bb-CD-55064
2001 “Midnight Sun Rock,” “Next Boat,” and “Yukon Cheechako” on ‘Crazy Rockin” (Collector – Netherlands) CLCD-4464
2009 “918 Miles” and “Midnight Sun Rock” on ‘Rockabilly Hicks’ (Buffalo Bop – Germany) Bb-CD-55195
2013 “Midnight Sun Rock” on ‘Rock-A-Billy Dynamite’ [40CD] (The Intense Media – Europe) 600025
2015 “Midnight Sun Rock” on ‘Stranger Than Fiction – Rockabilly Rules Again’ (Fantastic Voyage – UK) FVTD-219
2023 “Midnight Sun Rock” on ‘Rockin’ Rollin’ USA – Visit 02 – Canada – Teenage Boogie’ (Pan-American – Europe) PAR-002
OTHER GUYS, The
Howard Stacey (guitar) / Garfield Ferguson (drums) / Greg Charuk (guitar) / Peter Pawlenchuck (guitar/vocals)
From Oshawa, Ontario. Released one independent 10” EP; Charuk is deceased. With notes from Tony Sloggett
10” vinyl
1982 The Other Guys (Night Sound Productions) NSP-1003
O’TOOLE, Ray
Former lead vocalist for Vancouver, British Columbia band Northwest Company. In the early 1980s he’d front the band Blue Northern, followed by a stint in Alibi. [also see NORTHWEST COMPANY, BLUE NORTHERN, ALIBI]
Singles
1989 Out Of Control/Saturday Night (Rana) RR-0024
OUBA
Tony Roman / Michel Pagliaro (guitar, vocals) / Denis LePage / Andy Shorter (drums)
Following the demise of Pagliaro’s band Les Chanceliers, he was hanging out with producer/musician Tony Roman, Denis LePage and Andy Shorter (brother of Weather Report’s Wayne Shorter) where they made some experimental recordings of a jam session one night in the summer of 1968 at the Stereo Sound Studio in Montreal, Québec. The most progressive of these were released on Roman’s Révolution label anonymously under the titles ‘Reels Psychadéliques’ volumes 1 and 2. One longer jam was split into two parts and released as the album ‘Freak Out Total’ under the band name Ouba (an album title later expropriated by France’s L’experience 9/Les Maledictus Sound). Though none of the three albums was credited at the time, Gear Fab Records re-issued the Ouba album on CD in 2001 and managed to piece together the identities of the players and the circumstances; Pagliaro would go on to success as a solo artist; Tony Roman would release half a dozen solo records and a nearly a dozen singles on the CanUSA label before producing music for movies as well as other artists such as Nanette Workman; Denis LePage would have success creating Québec and European dance music under different pseudonyms – the most successful of these being Lime; Shorter still lives in Montreal and frequently plays in the local jazz clubs; Denis LePage passed away August 21, 2023. with notes from Tony Roman [also see MICHEL PAGLIARO, TONY ROMAN, DENIS LEPAGE]
Albums
1968 Ouba (A1) LI-33-213
1968 Reels Psychadéliques Volume 1 (Révolution) RE-8002
1968 Reels Psychadéliques Volume 2 (Révolution) RE-8003
OUI
Kenneth Lee “Ken” LaDéroute (vocals, guitar, vocals, bass, guitar, drum programming ) / Amy LaDéroute (vocals, synthesizer)
Former guitarist Great Rufus Road Machine guitarist Ken LaDéroute and his wife Amy released a self-titled album in 1983 through Ken’s production company LaDéroute Music.
Albums
1983 Oui (LaDéroute Music) WRC1-3377
OUR GENERATION
Jim Robertson (vocals; 1966 – 1969) / Tim Forsythe (keyboards, harmonica; 1966 – 1967) / Domenic Angelicchio (drums; 1966 – 1969) / Danny Barrucco (bass; 1966) / Dave Hanna (guitar; 1966) / Don Duncan (guitar; 1966 – 1967) / Jean-Pierre “JP” Lauzon (guitar; 1966) / Richard Lasnier (guitar; 1966) / Gary Marcus (guitar; 1966) / Bob Burgess (bass; 1966 -1967) / Louis McKelvey (guitar; 1966 – 1967) / Ken Duffy (bass; 1967 – 1969) / Les Kozichinsky (guitar; 1967 – 1968) / Don Hay (keyboards; 1967) / Jerry Carruthers (keyboards; 1967 – 1968) / Dick Stenstrum (keyboards; 1968 – 1969) / Roald Longhi (guitar; 1968 – 1969)
Our Generation was from Lachine, Quebec and featured members who had played with The Rabble (Forsythe), The Haunted (Marcus, Farlowe and Burgess), and The A-Cads (McKelvey). The band was formed by Robertson and Forsythe in the summer of 1966. Their first single was a cover of Bo Diddley’s “I’m A Man” which was released on Quality Records in December 1966. The song got airplay on CFCF and CFOX. They tried again with the Bob Burgess penned “Out To Get Light” in 1967. The song also failed to chart; McKelvey would go on to be in the band Influence with Walter Rossi. He passed away November 24, 2017; Lauzon would go on to join Neil Sheppard’s Life, then he became a member of Mylon’s backing band, and then joined the final version of The Wackers before becoming an in-demand session player for artists like Tapestry, JP Ferland, and others; Forsythe would join D’arcy and produced fellow Rabble member John Pimm’s solo work; Bob Burgess passed January 30, 2025.
Singles
1966 I’m A Man/Run Down Every Street (Barry) B-3461X
1967 Out to Get Light/Cool Summer (Trans-World) TW-1678
OUR LADY PEACE
Raine Maida (lead vocals, guitar) / Mike Turner (guitar; 1992-2001) / Chris Eacrett (bass; 1992-1995) / Jim Newell (drums; 1992) / Jeremy Taggart (drums; 1993-present) / Duncan Coutts (bass, keyboards; 1995-present) / Steve Mazur (guitar, 2002-present)
Our Lady Peace was formed in 1992 and had only played a dozen times or so live when they were signed to Sony Music. They soon recorded their album ‘Naveed’ in 1993 with producer Arnold Lanni (Frozen Ghost, Wild T. And The Spirit). Two and a half years of touring with Bush, Elastica, and The Ramones followed at which time Robert Plant caught their song “Starseed” on the radio (a Top10 hit in both Canada and the United States) and asked the band to support them on a leg of the Plant & Page ‘No Quarter Tour’. In September 1995, following the 5 shows with the former Zeppelin stars and another round of gigs with Letters To Cleo and Sponge et al, bassist Coutts was brought into the band. Our Lady Peace then did opening slots with Van Halen and was personally invited to be the opening act for Alanis Morissette where they finished up the last of their tour dates promoting ‘Naveed’. After 350 shows and, according to their road manager, traveling about 230,000 miles, the album went multi-platinum in Canada and has gone on to sell 500,000 copies in North America. The band also made various international television appearances (Conan O’Brien, The Jon Stewart Show) while sweeping the 1995 CASBY Awards in all three categories. 1997’s ‘Clumsy’ debuted on Canadian charts at No.1 on the strength of the single/video “Superman’s Dead”. The video itself was nominated for several MuchMusic Video Awards. The band has remained consistent music sellers and successfully toured the world for nearly two decades; Raine Maida married singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk. The duo write together and have most recently contributed to releases by Avril Lavigne among others; Mike Turner left Our Lady Peace in 2001. In 2009 he joined supergroup Crash Karma with members of Tea Party and I Mother Earth.
Singles
1994 The Birdman (Epic/Columbia) CDNK-924
1995 Starseed (Epic/Columbia) CDNK-972
1995 Hope (Epic/Columbia) CDNK-1006
1995 The Needle and the Damage Done (Relativity) RPRO7-0334
1995 Naveed (Relativity) RPRO-CD0372
1995 Supersatellite (Relativity) PPRO-CD0400
1996 Superman’s Dead (Columbia) CDNK-1206
1997 Clumsy (Columbia) CDNK-1239
1997 Automatic Flowers (Columbia) CDNK-1271
1997 Carnival (Columbia) CDNK-1316
1998 4 AM (Columbia) CDNK-1304
1999 One Man Army (Columbia) CDNK-1436
1999 Is Anybody Home? (Columbia) CDNK-1461
1999 Thief (Columbia) CDNK-1493
2000 Julia (Columbia)
2000 In Repair (Columbia) CDNK-1535
2001 Right Behind You (Mafia) (Columbia) CDNK-2574
2001 Life (Columbia) CSK-16436
2001 Imagine (Coalition Entertainment) OLP-0001
2002 Live (Columbia) CSK-59220
2002 Innocent (Columbia) CDNK-1627
2002 Somewhere Out There (Columbia) CDNK-1608
2003 Made Of Steel (Columbia) CDNEK-1654
2003 Not Enough (Columbia) CDNK-1680
2005 Where Are You? (Columbia) CSK-59751
2005 Angels/Losing/Sleep (Columbia) 82876-78050-2
2006 Will the Future Blame Us (Sony-BMG)
2006 Kiss On The Mouth (Previously unreleased) [DigiFile] (Sony-BMG)
2009 All You Did Was Save My Life (Sony-BMG)
2009 The End Is Where We Begin (Sony-BMG)
2012 As Fast As You Can (Coalition/eOne) EOM-DS-2188
2012 Heavyweight (Coalition/eOne) EOM-DS-2423
2014 Won’t Turn Back [DigiFile] (Our Lady Peace)
2021 Stop Making Stupid People Famous (Acoustic) [DigiFile] (BMG)
2021 Future Disease [DigiFile] (BMG)
2021 Holes [DigiFile] (BMG)
2022 Mountain Song (Live In Quebec City) (Coalition)
with OUR LADY PEACE Featuring PUSSY RIOT
2021 Stop Making Stupid People Famous [DigiFile] (BMG)
Albums
1994 Naveed (Epic) EK-80191
1997 Clumsy (Columbia) CK-67940
1999 Happiness…Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch (Columbia) CK-63707
2000 Spiritual Machines (Columbia) CK-80598
2002 Gravity (Columbia) CK-86585
2003 Live (Columbia) CK-85855
2005 Healthy In Paranoid Times (Sony-BMG) 969477
2006 Selections from a Decade (Sony-BMG) 970492
2006 The Live EP [3-song EP] (Columbia – US) [no cat.#]
2006 A Decade (Sony-BMG) 82876-88480-2
2006 A Decade (with Bonus Tracks) [DigiFile] (Sony-BMG)
2009 Burn Burn (Sony) 975537
2012 Curve (Coalition) 2616275
2017 Somethingness EP [4-song DigiFile EP] (Our Lady Peace)
2018 Somethingness (Coalition) OLP-180223
2020 Spiritual Machines 20th Anniversary [DigiFile re-issue] (Columbia)
2021 Spiritual Machines (Acoustic Live) [6-song EP] (Coalition)
2021 Stop Making Stupid People Famous (80 Empire Remix) [3-song DigiFile EP] (BMG)
2022 Spiritual Machines II [LP] (Shelter Music/BMG) OLP-210422
2023 Live At The El Mocambo [2LP] (Sony/ATV) OLP-090922
2023 Live From Georgian Bay [LP] (Under Zenith) [no cat.#]
2024 OLP 30 Volume 1 [6-song DigiFile EP] (Columbia)
2024 OLP 30 Volume 2 [6-song DigiFile EP] (Columbia)
2024 OLP 30 Volume 3 [6-song DigiFile EP] (Columbia)
OUR SIR FRANCIS TO THE SEA
Soon Harper (bass, saxophone) / Marc Creces (drums, percussion) / David Keyes (guitar, drums, percussion, vocals) / K.G. Cruickshank (keyboards, vocals) / Spencer 5 Valentine (saxophone, keyboards, talking drum) / Mike Stone (trombone) / David Greenhorn (clarinet)
From Toronto, Ontario and features former members of The Polkaholics.
Albums
1987 Our Sir Francis To The Sea [6-song 12″ EP] (Utility Grade) Utility Grade 5
OUTER TEMPLE
Bernard Maiezza (keyboards, synthesizers, electric guitar, bass, glockenspiel) / Neil Exall (guitars, bass, tenor saxophone) / Damon Richardson (drums, percussion, bass, guitar) / Ian Blurton (guitar) / Nick Luszczek (tablas, djembe, berimbau, percussion) / Robert Michael Higgins (bass) / Brendan J. Canning (bass)
A one-off Toronto, Ontario supergroup featuring Autistic musician, composer, producer Bernard Maiezza (A Neon Rome/Change Of Heart/Cookie Duster), Neil Exall (Mercurymen), Damon Richardson (Cookie Duster/Danko Jones/Change Of Heart), Ian Blurton (Public Animal/C’Mon/Change Of Heart), Nick Luszczek (Mustache Hat), Robert Michael Higgins (Dearly Beloved/Cookie Duster/Change Of Heart), and Brendan J Canning (Broken Social Scene/Cookie Duster).
They released one album entitled ‘Outer Temple’ which was recorded between 2005 and 2013.
Albums
2013 Outer Temple [DigiFile] (Outer Temple)
OUTRAGE
Becky (bass) / Chris Load (drums) / Kane / Nick Arrow (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) / Steven Allen (lead guitar)
Speed/thrash metal band from Trois-Rivières, Québec.
Albums
1985 Outrage [2-song cassette EP – June 1985] (Outrage) [no cat.#]
1985 Outrage [3-song cassette EP – October 1985] (Outrage) [no cat.#]
1985 Outrage [5-song cassette EP] (Outrage) [no cat.#]
1986 Outrage [4-song cassette EP] (Outrage) [no cat.#]
2017 Buried Pieces [LP] (LeBackstore) BCK-LP-01
Compilation Tracks
1986 “Until You Bleed In” on ‘Moose Molten Metal (Volume 2) (Capitol) SQ-6540
1986 “Cracks Under The Ice” on ‘Speed Metal Hell II’ [LP] (New Renaissance/Greenworld) GWD-90548
1987 “Cracks Under The Ice” on ‘Speed Metal Hell Vol.I & II’ [2LP] (Steamhammer) SH-0064
OVERHOLT, Elaine
Elaine Overholt has an extensive performing career which has allowed her the opportunity to work with titans of music such as Ray Charles, Tina Turner, opera star Richard Margison, Dionne Warwick, Anne Murray and Chubby Checker amongst them. She has performed as a soloist on world stages, major network television, albums, films, thousands of jingles and has recorded two albums Overholt has been a consultant and teacher in Hollywood and Broadway in recent years, having coached stars such as John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer for ‘Hairspray’ the movie as well as music directing its star Nikki Blonksy in concert performances throughout North America. She also coached Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, and Queen Latifah for the Oscar-winning ‘Chicago’. She started a YouTube viral sensation when she taught Ellen Degeneres to sing in a live segment on her hit talk show ‘The Ellen Degeneres Show’. As a Broadway coach Overholt trained the singers in the lead roles of Broadway hits ‘Hairspray‘, ‘The Producers’ and ‘Mamma Mia’. Major labels also hire her to refine the talents of upcoming singers. She runs Big Voice Studio with other teachers for vocal training.
Singles
1976 Searching For Two/[same] (Jomark) JM-005X
1977 Run To Me/Run To Me (Instrumental) (RCA) PB-50387
1977 Run To Me (6:25)/Run To Me (Instrumental) (5:42) [12″] (RCA) KPNI-0244
1978 Silver Wings/Breakin’ Our Hearts Forever (Attic) AT-193
with OVERHOLT, TATE AND PHILLIPS
1977 Direct-To-Disc (Kiras Musical Works) LBR-1002
with ALLAN J. RYAN & ELAINE OVERHOLT
1982 Thoughts of You (Haida Moon) HM-4506
Albums
1977 Elaine Overholt (Canadian Talent Library) CTL-5217
1978 Elaine Overholt (Attic) LAT-1046
OVERSOUL SEVEN
Adam Gejdos (vocals, guitar) / Len Morgan (bass) / Darryl Shibley (drums)
From Vancouver, British Columbia. Named after the Jane Roberts book trilogy, Oversoul Seven played a Battle of the Bands contest at the Railway Club in Vancouver in 1987. The prize was recording time – which they used to record their first EP entitled ‘Fool Revelation’. A full, self-titled, album followed in 1988; Morgan died April 30, 1993 at the age of 27 in a motorcycle accident in Bangkok, Thailand; Gejdos works in the film and television production business in Vancouver, having done sound production for TV shows such as ‘Stargate: SG-1’ and ‘Poltergeist – The Legacy’. He’s also worked on the sound design for several video games; Shibley has moonlighted in Vancouver cover band The Mt. Pleasant Racket Club.
Albums
1987 Fool Revelation (Edge) EDG-001
1988 Oversoul Seven (Edge) EDG-004
OWL DRUGS
Steve Elliott (bass) / Marty Rollins (guitar) / Paul Patko (drums) / Ryan Scott (vocals)
Albums
2009 Heathens (Owl Drugs) [no cat.#]
© 1998 – 2025 Jaimie Vernon.
All rights reserved. Duplication in whole or in part in any medium is prohibited without written permission. The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia and its logo are trademarks of Bullseye Records of Canada Inc.
The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia 