Edgar Breau & Bob Bryden get together for solo and duo performances at The Gate in Hamilton on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.
Writes Edgar...
"Looking forward to my show with Bob Bryden this coming Sunday at The Gate (201 James St. N) here in Hamilton at 3 pm. Each of us will play a solo set before getting together as a duo for the first time. Bob Bryden is known internationally as a Canadian cult legend via the highly sought after Christmas and Reign Ghost LP’s and continues to make great solo recordings. I have a brand new release "I Committed Sacrilege (in the Sacred House of Punk)" a vinyl 45 (see below) by The Third Kind an experimental recording project with David Byers of the Shangs and Simply Saucer bassist Kevin Christoff with album to follow. Greg Vickers designed the groovy poster!"
Tickets are $19.96 advance. Get 'em via Eventbrite right here.
Sadly, J.D, King, cartoonist, illustrator and founder of the Coachmen has passed away. He'll be greatly missed.
Writes J.D. King's friend Thurston Moore...
J.D. King, comics illustrator, and founder of 1979 NYC art rock band The Coachmen has passed away.
J.D. (or simply, John, as I knew him) and I met in ‘78 at Cutlers Record store in New Haven CT as we both hovered over the Velvet Underground section (it was empty) and began talking about all things Punk.
He graduated RISD that year and moved with a bunch of art rock lads to downtown NYC cohabitating in the infamous South Street building housing Cindy Sherman, Robert Longo, Kathryn Bigelow a.o. He invited me, my guitar, and my sleeping bag to move in and we started a band named The Coachmen. We broke up in ‘80 and I started what would soon morph into Sonic Youth.
New Alliance/SST records posthumously released our one recording “Failure to Thrive” (J Mascis told me “it’s your best record”) J.D. is the tall guy in the pix with glasses (the first one is live at A’s)— We stayed in touch through email but I hadn’t seen him since the 80s. He was super important to my life’s journey and I send him, his family and friends all my best, all my love - T
Here are a few of J.D. King's many brilliant zine covers and record sleeves. Check his blog below for more of J.D. King's comics and magazine illustrations and his piece for Sensitive Skin Magazine on how some 45s sound better played at 33 rpms.
Hamilton singer/songwriter deluxe Edgar Breau draws on his Acadian roots for his show at Lola in Kensington Market at 8 pm.
Here's the scoop on Acadian Drifter...
Edgar Breau, the legendary Hamilton based artist and founder of internationally acclaimed psych/proto punk cult band, Simply Saucer returns with Acadian Drifter. Edgar Breau's music has always lived at the crossroads of tradition and rebellion, blending poetic lyricism with genre - defying instrumentation. His work resists easy categorization, drawing from folk, punk, rock and experimental influences to create something uniquely his own, often involving figures who exist on the fringes - outlaws, dreamers, hustlers and the people drawn to them. Edgar recorded Acadian Drifter in Montreal and in Hamilton with an ensemble cast of superb musicians including Canadian award winning musicians, guitarist Bill Dillon (Robbie Robertson, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan) and keyboardist Michael Fonfara (Lou Reed) and was mastered by Detroit's legendary Jim Diamond.
The album's lead single, "Cornpone the King of Jive" blends the swagger of southern fried garage rock with Breau's sharp literary influences, creating a high energy, darkly humorous reflection on populist leaders, folk heroes and the morally ambiguous figures who capture the public fascination. This return to a grittier, more electric sound reconnects Breau with the raw energy that has long defined his music. As Shindig columnist Johnnie Johnstone neatly summed up, "He creates a glorious cornucopia of Pop and Folk tunes, effortlessly amalgamating Fahey- esque picking, raga influenced pyschedelia, CSN style West Coast harmonizing and avant garde guitar experiments with fluid Cosmic Country and pastoral Anglo Pop."
Get a copy of Edgar Breau's new album Acadian Drifter via Bandcamp right here. Catch him live in Toronto's Kensington Market tonight at Lola (40 Kensington) where he'll be performing both a solo set and with his phenomenal band (Kevin Christoff, Aaron Knight, Clint Rice), featuring songs from "Acadian Drifter," plus older tunes from his solo catalogue and Simply Saucer.
Join Night Finger, Stoneage Romeos, Edgar Breau & the Lou York Dolls in a toast to promoter deluxe Lou Molinaro on Saturday.
Lou Molinaro's 60th Birthday Bash
Corktown Pub (175 Young St., Hamilton)
Saturday (July 13), 8:30 pm.
How about this? A surprise 60th birthday party for Lou Molinaro, presented by Lou Molinaro! To celebrate this kind of hard to believe milestone, you will be entertained by a one-off band called The Lou York Dolls – Scott McCullough, Jim McLean, Jeff Richardson, Bryan Yonge and yes, Lou Molinaro – with back up vocals by Rachel Jones, Ashley Sloggett & Paige Thompson. Special guest appearances by Edgar Breau, Greg Brisco and Dean Fulton.
Taking part in the festivities are Toronto's Night Finger (featuring: Craig Daniels, Steve Scarlet, Rusty Fern, & Brian Christopher), plus Stoneage Romeos (made up of Hamilton musical luminaries Dave Elley, Dave Howitt, Joe Csontos & Neen Youkhana). DJ Rachel Jones spins before in between and after.
Saucerland is a double LP of Simply Saucer rarities released by Chicago's Logan Hardware Records in 2016. Now long out-of-print and extremely rare, the Saucerland collection of raw 70s recordings of Edgar Breau's legendary band from Hamilton, Ontario is now available directly from Simply Saucer HQ as a digital download. Get it right here. Watch Edgar Breau and his fellow Saucerians perform "Bullet Proof Nothing" at The Spot in Lafayette, IN back in 2017 and "Takin' You Down" in Detroit in 2015.
Since it's Father's Day, here's a video for Edgar Breau's "Mad River" tribute to his dad, Edgar Joseph Breau.
Writes Simply Saucer's Edgar Breau...
"Here's a newly minted video of 'Mad River,' a homage I wrote to my father and his Acadian roots. Many thanks to the multi-talented Bob Bryden for capturing the very personal and idyllic nature of the lyrics blending them perfectly with his haunting photo montage. Recorded by J.P. Riemens at Grant Ave. Studio. Edgar Breau acoustic guitar and vocals, Kevin Christoff, electric bass, Compton Roberts, backing vocals and Paul Panchezak drums. This is for you EJB."
Get a copy of Edgar Breau's Canadian Primitive album from 2004 right here. Watch Bob Bryden's new video for Edgar Breau's "Mad River" below.
Sadly, Bob Lanois – brother of Daniel Lanois and key player in the Simply Saucer saga – has passed away. He'll be greatly missed.
Bob Lanois remembered by longtime pal Bruce "Mole" Mowat...
RIP Bob Lanois. Bob was responsible for engineering the July 1974 Simply Saucer sessions that would become Side One of "Cyborgs Revisited" on Mole Sound Recordings.
He was there in 1988 at the LAB in Hamilton when we did the original digitization of said sessions and worked some magic with the 2-track Tandberg reels that had the July 75 Jackson Square show.
When Forced Exposure backed off on releasing the Cyborgs LP, Bob bravely co-signed the $3,200 loan – at 20% interest – in 1989, and it became the shot heard around the world: write-ups in SPIN, the Sunday London Times, Creem. We especially liked the one that said "Best Canadian album ever".
Someone once referred to me as the "Dr. Frankenstein" of CanRock for resurrecting Saucer. And there is some truth to this scenario: it was done at the LAB and there was electricity involved. I defer that title to Bob, though: I merely played the part of Igor, bringing the parts to him to reassemble. (I have better posture, though).
Bob's association with Saucer continued when he toured his "Snake Road" lp with Edgar Breau in 2006, playing dates in Ottawa (well, the Black Sheep) Kitchener, Hamilton & Toronto.
There was a very memorable ride back from Ottawa, when it was decided we should drive back to Hamilton due to a lack of room at the Inn.
By 5:30 am, sleep deprivation had one of our drivers believing he was seeing fairies on the empty stretches of the 407. (Not sure if Wallis or Twink were among them)
Bob was very upset when I moved out west in '09. I tried keeping in touch, and he even contemplated a bike ride out west when I moved to Edmonton. "Grande Prairie was too far", he said, and he was right.
Rest Easy, Bob. Here's hoping you're riding in our skies tonight. – Bruce "Mole" Mowat
Listen to the title track from Edgar's fine 2012 album Patches Of Blue with artwork by Chicago's Dimitry Samarov.
Sez Edgar...
Patches of Blue, my 2012 album on Flying Inn Records is now up and available on Bandcamp (https://edgarbreau1.bandcamp.com/album/patches-of-blue). All the fine details music fans appreciate are on the web site there including lyrics and the musical lineup on each track. You can purchase individual tracks or the whole damn thing if you so desire. It's all as easy as pie. My whole catalogue will soon be available including previously unreleased songs. Hope you all check it out.
Early Simply Saucer guitarist David Byers (right) is joined by fellow Saucer members on The Shangs' latest release.
Long before Hamilton guitarist David Byers formed The Shangs with the sibling rhythm section of Ed and Pat O'Neill in 1989, he was a ground floor member of the mighty Simply Saucer, hanging out and jamming with Edgar Breau and Paul Colilli in 1972, before the group even had a name much less transportation.
Since 1993's self-released Longet album, not much has been heard from The Shangs but Byers and the O'Neil brothers are back with Golden Hits of The Shangs and their Simply Saucer pals Edgar Breau, Kevin Christoff along with Paul Colilli (who passed away in 2018) are credited with musical contributions on the 15 track out now on the band's own Judy Gee! label. Once again, the inspiration of 60s girl groups – specifically The Shangri-Las and The Feminine Complex – figures prominently in the songwriting but Byers found time to pen a few tributes to his cult film heroines.
Along with the previously released "Claudine" concerning singer/actress Claudine Longet who was convicted of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of her then boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich, "Patch of Blue" is dedicated to Elizabeth Hartman who was the youngest Oscar nominee for Best Actress for her role in 1965's A Patch Of Blue, "Blue Star" is a homage to troubled stage actress Peggy Entwhistle who infamously killed herself by jumping from the "H" in the Hollywoodland sign in 1932. "The Spell of Arlene Tiger" is actually a nod to the wistful stylings of Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto which wouldn't seem out of place on the Clay Pitts' Orchestra's soundtrack to 1970's Female Animal starring Arlene Faber aka Arlene Tiger. So it all makes sense.
Perhaps most intriguing is "What Ever Happened To Carol Wayne?" which alludes to the mysterious 1985 death of film and television actress Carol Wayne (I Spy, Hollywood Squares, Bewitched, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson) who went on vacation with television/film director David E. Durston (Playhouse 90) in Manzanillo, Mexico. Soon after she was found dead in a shallow bay. A coroner's autopsy found no sign of drugs or alcohol in her blood but ruled the death accidental. Incidentally, in 1970, Durston directed I Drink Your Blood starring the aforementioned Arlene Faber and both Carol Wayne and Claudine Longet appeared in Blake Edwards' 1968 film The Party. Listen to a few tracks from Golden Hits of The Shangs below.
Simply Saucer's "Lo-Fi Garage Symphonette" comes backed with "Alien Cornfield" on their new Label Obscura seven.
Here's the scoop from Saucer pilot Edgar Breau:
"Excited to be performing live with Simply Saucer at the Baby G in Toronto this Thursday, June 21st along with Blonde Elvis and DJ Twig Turnbull. It has been a while since we've recorded a new single, going on 40 years or so but it is what it is, the future has arrived and here we are again putting out new vinyl.
"On stage with me is a stellar crew consisting of phenom, Kevin Christoff on bass guitar, the fabulous Colina Phillips on synth, percussion and vocals, multi talented renaissance man, Mike Trebilcock on guitar and Skully theremin and the creative hurricane, Mr. Jesse Locke on drums.
"Our new songs Lo-Fi Garage Symphonette and Alien Cornfield will be available courtesy of Label Obscura. Our show is dedicated to one of Toronto's greatest musicians, our friend and colleague Ed Roth who is on a sabbatical from the band at present, but looms large on our recording, playing his magical keyboards. Looking forward to our blastoff at Baby G. Hope you can make it out to the show!" Have a listen below.
Jesse Locke's Simply Saucer book launches with an Edgar Breau solo performance at Monarch Tavern December 11.
Here's the press release...
Written by Toronto-based music journalist Jesse Locke (Aux, Weird Canada, Chart Attack), Heavy Metalloid Music is the authorized biography of psych/proto-punk legends Simply Saucer. The book not only reveals the compelling history of one of Canada’s most important underground bands but also examines the ongoing legacy of fellow musical outsiders creating escapist fantasies in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. This has been documented with extensive interviews, rare photos, and an exclusive download compilation.
As a founding contributor of the online publication Weird Canada, Locke has made a career out of excavating underground sounds. It only makes sense that he has always been drawn to the cult heroes of Hamilton’s subterranean scene, Simply Saucer. Mostly unrecognized in their ’70s heyday, the electro-rockers were unheralded pioneers with a reputation that grows every year. Simply Saucer’s posthumous debut, Cyborgs Revisited, was first released in 1989 by Mole Sound Recordings. It earned further acclaim with a 2003 CD reissue from Sonic Unyon Records, and will be celebrated with a 40th anniversary expanded edition from In The Red in 2017. Locke contributed the liner notes to this release.
Heavy Metalloid Music combines Locke’s trademark sharp writing and investigative style with incredible access to Simply Saucer. This book is a must-have for fans of music biographies and may just turn Simply Saucer into your favourite band you’ve never heard of.
Heavy Metalloid Music will be available at select independent bookstores across Canada, online retailers, as well as the Eternal Cavalier Press website on November 24. You can pre-order a copy right here here.
Alison Lang of Broken Pencil says “Jesse Locke has long been a gifted diviner of Canada’s brilliant and under heard musical weirdos. With Heavy Metalloid Music, he not only exposes the wild and sometimes unbelievable tale of Simply Saucer, but has produced a fascinating snapshot of the economic and cultural climate of Ontario in the ’60s and ’70s. A smart, funny, and totally reverent paean to Hamilton’s Hawkwind.”
Sam Sutherland, author of Perfect Youth: The Birth of Canadian Punk says “Better late than never this book goes a long way towards canonizing one of Canada’s most inventive and influential bands. Providing all the context and history that even the beefiest of liner notes couldn’t dream of, this is an essential tome for anyone with a passion for Hamilton, psychedelics, and under-appreciated genius getting its due.”
The Toronto launch of Heavy Metalloid Music features a solo performance by Simply Saucer mainman Edgar Breau and a discussion of the book with Jesse Locke and Sam Sutherland at Monarch Tavern (12 Clinton) on Sunday, December 11 from 2pm to 6pm. No cover. Signed copies will be available.
For the Hamilton launch on Saturday December 17, there'll be a full-band performance by Simply Saucer and a discussion of the book with Jesse Locke and Gary Pig Gold at Hammer City Records (228 James St. North, Hamilton) at 7pm. $5 cover. Signed copies will be available.
Some late breaking Simply Saucer news from Bruce "Mole" Mowat...
Stephen Foster, guitarist for Canada's sole contribution to the proto-punk musical canon, Simply Saucer, announced his resignation from the group late last night.
Foster, who joined the group in November of 2006, appears on the group's 2007 Sonic Unyon release . Half Human, Half Live. He joined Simply Saucer with nearly 20 years of stage experience, both as an IATSE certified technician & as a guitarist for such Southern Ontario club rock favourites as The Crawlin' Kingsnakes (1991-95) and The Stoked (1995-2006), the latter appearing at Edgefest in 1996.
In a prepared statement, Foster outlined his reasons for leaving the group:
"It is with regret that I announce my departure from Simply Saucer. As a musician and sound engineer I enjoyed my time with the band, met some great people, and had some great times.
"It was my hope that after Half Human, Half Live. we would pick up where the original idea left off and carry the musical ethos of Simply Saucer forward. In the end, the focus seems to be centred on the past. It is for this reason, and certain personal differences, that I have decided to move on. I wish the other members of the band well and thank them for many good times in the studio and on the road."
Stay Cool,
Stephen Foster
Whether it was part of a clever marketing plan or mere cosmic coincidence, Ty Segall's decision to record and release a cover of Simply Saucer's Bullet Proof Nothing from which Liz Worth swiped the song's memorable refrain for the title for her recently published oral history of Toronto punk Treat Me Like Dirt (Bongo Beat) seems remarkably fortuitous for everyone involved.
Segall's appropriately raunchy rendition of Edgar Breau's Kenilworth Klassic appears on his fab new Caesar seven-inch single just issued by the Memphis-based Goner Records on limited-run clear and black vinyl which you can order directly from Goner right here. If you'd rather have the MP3s, they're available here. I was about to throw in a comment about how such seemingly coincidental occurrences rarely happen entirely by chance in the record business until I realized that I was wearing a Goner Records t-shirt as I was writing this post. Oh well.
Although I still prefer the Saucer's original version of Bullet Proof Nothing off their astounding Cyborgs Revisited album, Segall's Dolled-up homage to the hard-luck Hamiltonian heavyweights is a heartwarming gesture nonetheless.
