Band: S.U.D.S. Release: Bad Craziness Year: 2009 From: Chatham-Kent Genre: Rock Style: Acoustic Punk
Tracks: 01. I Never Use A Glass 02. All Fogged Up 03. Union Man 04. Ode To St. Patty 05. Whiskey Dick 06. Days Of The Week 07. For The Boys 08. Fun Is Dun
Notes: The name stands for “shed union district standards”. They play a full set of originals but can also play a set of covers to fill out a long night. Covers include the likes of Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, and more. The band is entering the studio in 2010 with plans to release a demo in the summer of that year. Locally, S.U.D.S. play at the Elephants Nest often, as well as at Encore.
Preview Samples of all the songs in the video below.
Band: Shattered Existence Demo Release: Brainstorm Year: 1992 Genre: Rock Home: Tilbury
Members: E.J Chapados– Vocals Chris Hammerton – Lead Guitars Pat O’Donnel – Bass Rodney Beaudry – Drums Ryan Odette – Guitar
The band also played on the Windsor Compilation CD. That line up included: E.J Chapados – Vocals Rodney Beaudry – Drums Mark Thompson – Bass Ryan Odette – Guitars
Trio: Vic and the Conchords Year: 1963 Disbanded: Early 1980’s Home: Chatham
Members: Vic Tetreault – guitar Bill Taylor – drums Vincent Belanger – cordovox.
Notes: In 1963. Vic added Mr. Vince Belanger on accordion,(and later Cordovox), and Mr. Bill Taylor (formerly of Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills) on drums, to form an energetic trio known as “Vic and the Conchords”, with Vic’s wife, Betty, on backup vocals and harmony.
They were kept very busy in the bars, halls, and at weddings in southern Ontario. The trio remained virtually unchanged for many years until the addition of Mr. Roland Lozon (of the Jubilaires), on guitar and fiddle, in 1974 or 1975 for a couple of years. There were several changes of drummers, including Mr. George Stoner, Mr. Roland Bechard, Mr Billy Carruthers (of Terry Sumsion’s Stagecoach fame), Mr. Tony Meriano (owner of “Tony’s One Stoppe”), and ending with Mr. Leonard Lucier.
As both Vic and Vince were in demanding businesses as well, they chose to retire the group in the early 80’s. However, local jamborees still bring them out to do what they love best.
The photo was taken around 1964. Thanks to Betty for providing the photo and information.
Band: Fear Disorder Release: In A Rage Year: 1997 Genre: Metal
Chatham Connection: Steve “Skull” Saunders is from Chatham-Kent, along with John Fenton who made his debut with M.A.D. in 1988 on their Decisions, Decisions demo.
Members: Steve “Skull” Saunders- lead vox/guitars Dan Cardoso– vox/guitars Desche Sparboom– drums John Fenton– bass/vox
Bio:
Fear Disorder is an extreme metal band signed with Revolver Records in England. Their debut, “In A Rage”, is set for release in 27 countries throughout Europe and the United Kingdom by PHD and Sony. “In A Rage” also hit number 10 on Chart Magazines Hard Music chart for college/university radio in Canada. These guys have been around for many years and have opened for such bands as Fight and Voivod. Sighting influences such as Metallica and Pantera, Fear Disorder are getting ready to tour Europe in support of their debut, “In A Rage”, and have also begun to write songs for their next release.
Tracks: 1. In a Rage 2. Knee Deep in the Dead 3. Bloody Knuckles 4. Hole in your Head 5. God Kills (And so Shall I) 6. Blood & Guts 7. My Precious Greed 8. Loverly, Devouring Gloom 9. I am (What you made me be)
Musician: Steve Skull aka Steve Saunders Instrument: Vocals, Guitar Home town: Chatham Resides: Toronto Area
Steve moved away to the Toronto area in the early 1990’s. Some may have caught him while he was playing locally in Chatham for the band Lyra (1987-89). Musically, he became a pro player and guitar teacher.
Above Pictures 01 Lyra 1988 02 The Flu 1990 03 Thunder Circus 1992 04 Touring guitarist for the Killer Dwarfs 1995 05 Fear Disorder 1996 06 Steve in 1999 072003-2004 Sandman (Metallica tribute band) 08 2009 Live shot
Brief Bio from his page 2010: My real name is Steve Saunders, but pretty much everyone I know, knows me as Steve Skull. I have been a touring/gigging musician since I was 16 playing with some really great musicians along the way. Some of note include, Thunder Circus, The Flu, Killer Dwarfs, Fear Disorder, Mike Reno, Jimi Jamison, Alan Frew and Revolver. I’ve played in about 50+ different bands over the years.
The band Fear Disorder was signed and released one album called “In A Rage”. It was released in 27 countries throughout Europe and the U.K. in 1997. That band opened for Rob Halford’s old band, Fight and also Voivod, which included former Thunder Circus bandmate, Eric Forrest.
Most of the bands I have been in were either tribute bands or cover bands. Music is my passion. I actually had to rediscover how much it is a part of me. Now, I am ready to write again and I enjoy music all over again! Currently, I can be found playing somewhere in the GTA playing with The Intruders.
Some of the bands Steve was in.
1989 – Lyra 1990 – The Flu 1992 – Thunder Circus
1995 – Killer Dwarfs 1996 – Fear Disorder 2003,2004 – Sandman – Metallica Tribute Band 2009 – The Intruders (party band)
Band: Gates of Rage Release: The Opening Year: 1995 Home: Tilbury (Chatham-Kent) Genre: Metal
Members Darren Marchand – Vocals Rodney Beaudry – Drums and Backing Vocals, Rich Dupuis – Guitars Ryan Odette – Guitars & Backing Vocals Dave Boulion (R.I.P) – Bass
Tracks:
1 The Opening / All These Dreams
2 Take The Fall
3 Broken Soul
4 Blindman Deadman
5 Blind Misery
6 Unknown Life
7 Sound Of Thunder
8 No Sympathy
9 Out of The Gates
Band: Lyra Circa: 1987-1989 Genre: Rock Cover band Home: Chatham
Members: Scott Barnes – Vocals Steve “Skull” Saunders– Guitar Mark Devries – Guitar Dave Davidson – Bass Brad Ondrovcik – Drums
The above pictures were taken at the Aberdeen in Chatham.
Notes:
Brad went on to play with Sweet FA, Rockus (later called Blu Bones) and then Legend Killers. As of 2010, he drums for ’63 Monroe
Steve moved away and became a touring/gigging musician. Among others, he has played with Thunder Circus, The Flu, Killer Dwarfs, Fear Disorder, Mike Reno, Jimi Jamison, Alan Frew and Revolver. He has played in about 5o different bands over the years as of 2010.
Scott Barnes plays for the band ‘Teethen Freeks’ Circa 2010.
Dave went on to play in (among others) Tangled Puppet (mid 90’s), Manpower, and 7th Reign before moving away in the late 2000’s.
Band: Southwest Dirt Home: Chatham-Kent Year: 2007 Genre: Rock
Members: Mike Copley – vocals Alex Polowick (Aug) – guitar (Blenheim) Gavin Dawson – bass Simon Coleman – drums
Former Members:
Nate Spicer – lead guitarist (2002 to 2006)
The group formed in the spring of 2002 as a soulful solid rock band called Southwest Dirt. They started off covering the likes of ZZ TOP, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and other great acts.
From 2002-2006 they played heavily at bars, parties, Stag & Does, and other events. During those first four years, Nate Spicer was the lead guitarist for the band.
In 2007, the band began to shift to writing and playing original music. It began when Mike (Vocals) entered the studio in 2007 to record an original entitled “Simple Times”. The song was played often on the Rock95.1FM Indie Show. The song was recorded with the help of Bob Hiltz (Bass), Jason Guttridge (Drums), and Aug (guitar).
Band: Southwest Blues Review CD Release: Under the Covers Year: 2009 Home: Chatham-Kent Ontario Genre: Blues
Members: Tony Meriano – Drums
Aug Polowick – Guitar
Rob Watson – Guitar / Vocals –
John Gardiner – Bass
Byron Brunton – Harmonica / Trumpet
Leia Weaver – Vocals
Pictures: Live band pic above: (L-R) – Aug, John, Leia, Tony, Rob, Byron.(Ridgetown 2009)
Drum pic: Tony setting up his pink drums for a gig, talking with his good friend Dennis Tatchell.
The CD: A collection of 10 tracks of old and modern groovy blues standards.
Notes: “The Southwest Blues Review formed in spring 2006, bringing together talent from all corners of the county. From Ridgetown, Leia Weaver and Rob Watson made the journey to meet in Cedar Springs at Barnyard Studios with Tony Meriano and Aug Polowick, The band was brought together thanks to the vision of John Gardiner from Wallaceburg. A year later, they firmed up the lineup with the addition of Byron Brunton of Blenheim.
The Southwest Blues Review became a local favourite for community festivals, fundraisers, art openings and any all around good time. Their influences and inspirations include Big Mama Thornton, John Mayall, Etta James, Motown and Stax sounds, the Downchild Blues Band, Daddy Longlegs, Irma Thomas and many many more.
The Southwest Blues Review lost their drummer and founding member Tony to a sudden illness in 2010.
Musician: Fred S. Stone Year: 1899 Song: Bos’n Rag Genre: Ragtime Home Town: Chatham Ontario Canada
First use of the word Ragtime appears in the song title “Ma Ragtime Baby” by Fred Stone in 1893.
Fred S. Stone was a cross-border phenomenon in the music world, famous in both Detroit and Canada.
Fred started composing pieces for publication in 1895, mostly dance numbers, but hit it big in 1898 with Ma Ragtime Baby, further increasing sales when his brother Charles added words for a song version. The following year he made a splash with Bos’n Rag. Between this and his considerable musicianship he quickly gained the respect of musicians throughout Detroit.
The video below is of Philippe Lernould (France) performing Bos’n Rag by Fred S. Stone. This version is circa 2007.Thanks to Mr. Lernould for letting us use his video.
Band: 3 East Release: Idiocracy Experiment Year: 1991 Format: Cassette Tape Genre: Hard Rock, Metal Home: Sarnia
Chatham Connection: Singer Chris Young moved to Sarnia from Chatham after high school. He had played in a few underground bands here during high school. He ended up recording a few demo releases with 3 East. Chris’s brother Charles (Chuck Young) stayed in Chatham and became the drummer for Foster Child, The Janet Theory, FL3P, Dead Girls Union, and Face For Radio (as of 2010). Chris’s Dad (Randy “Mr. Chatham“) is a bass player and has played in many bands including Rebel & Texas.
Members: Chris Young – guitar/vocals Chris Hamlin – guitar Brett Savory – drums Matt Keefe – Bass
Tracks: 01 Possessed 02 Life Without Existence 03 Cup Of Madness 04 Mother 05 Of Course 06 Going Sane 07 Cry For Justice 08 Butterfly Of Death 09 Teds & Ednas
Notes: When having to come up with a genre, they consider themselves power metal. The good vibe about this band is the humour. They had allot of fun and were a great group of guys. Sometimes they would just write a goofy little song to a heavy riff and it worked. The sarcasim was working for them. 3 East worked hard to create events and shows within the underground scene and gained support from the punk movement as well. The guys were young when they wrote these demos.
Play Video preview below for clips from this release.
Band: Ground Zero Year: 1985 Formed: 1983 Style: Popular music of the times Home: Chatham Kent Ontario
Members: Mark Tremblay – Keyboards Tom Lockwood – Guitar Diane Stephen– vocals Mark Wolfe – Drums Marc Haslip – Bass, Vocals
Diane took over vocal duties. She also was the singer for Red Herring in the 1990’s. Mark replaced John McMahon on drums this same year.
The band had some of the best players in town.
Members: (L-R) Marc Haslip – Bass, Vocals
Mark Tremblay – Keyboards
Mark Wolfe – Drums
Tom Lockwood – Guitars
The band was listed for show dates in 1985, but the picture is from circa 1987. This band was a working bar band and were always booked reflecting the times when there was lots of work for a commercial rock band.
Throughout that time, Tom Lockwood focused his creative energies mostly on solo guitar, creating the material that later came out on his solo recordings “Passion Flower” and “Steamline”.
Band: 3 East Release: Subject To Change Year: 1993 Format: Cassette Tape Genre: Hard Rock, Metal Home: Sarnia
Chatham Connection: Singer Chris Young moved to Sarnia from Chatham after high school. He had played in a few underground bands here during high school. He ended up recording a few demo releases with 3 East. Chris’s brother Charles (Chuck Young) stayed in Chatham and became the drummer for Foster Child, The Janet Theory, FL3P, Dead Girls Union, and Face For Radio (as of 2010).
Members:
Chris Young – guitar/vocals
Chris Hamlin – guitar
Brett Savory – drums
Matt Keefe – Bass
Notes: When having to come up with a genre, they consider themselves power metal. The good vibe about this band is the humour. They had allot of fun and were a great group of guys. Sometimes they would just write a goofy little song to a heavy riff and it worked. The sarcasim was working for them. 3 East worked hard to create events and shows within the underground scene and gained support from the punk movement as well. The guys were young when they wrote these demos.
Tracks: 01 Belonging Kind 02 Life Without Existence 03 Cup Of Madness 04 Lost In Darkness 05 Insanity…My Domain 06 Through My Eyes 07 Puddle Of Memories 08 Chaotic Death 10 Eastern Winds 11 Shitty Day
Band: O’Hara Brothers Band (The) Year: 2010 Hometown: Chatham Ontario Style: Rock, Adult
Members:
Toby O’Hara – Vocals, Bass Jeff ‘Mifflin – guitars, saxophone, B. vox Clancy O’Hara – Piano, organ, guitar, B.vox
Rod Beaudry – drums, supporting vocals, percussion
Notes: The band released their first CD in 2003 entitled “Small Town Metaphors”. Although all the members have a rich history with various bands before this, it is worth noting that the band really rolled in this direction from its roots as “the Flaming O’Hara’s”. In 1993, the Flaming O’Hara’s released a CD that included Clancy & Toby. The group played Jersey’s many times during 2009 along with shows in other cities.
Artist: Assume No Order Release: Nothing More Resides: Toronto Home Town: Chatham
Assume No Order is a solo experimental/instrumental project by Nigel Barylewicz.
Tracks 01 Heavy Game 02 False Start 03 First One Of The Day 04 Why Are We Yelling 05 Speaking Of This Heat 06 The Chicken Wing 07 Nothing More 08 Bug Me Anytime You Want 09 Red Amber Ale
Band: The Golden Eagles Release: The Gold Album Year: 2009 Formed: Early 2008 Home: Windsor/ Chatham-Kent
Members:
Jamie Reaume – Vocals and guitar.
Neil Tupling – Bass (ex-Lost Souls Division)
Geoff Yunker – drums.
Notes: Some of you may know singer songwriter Jamie Reaume from his previous band Foreign Film Star, or saw him play a solo acoustic show in Chatham or Windsor. He used to often play at the Elephant’s Nest and other venues while growing up in Chatham.
Jamie is currently living in the Windsor area and his new band involves musicians from there as well.
This is a great indie CD worth checking out. Their first single “Cell Phone” is a great indication of jamie improving consistently with his song writing and song structures. This track alone shows signs of a band who gets it and has worked hard to drop tracks that simply rock without trying to over play, be too artsy, or too safe.
Track Listing 01 Cell Phone 02 See You Coming 03 Bird Of Prey 04 Go 05 Surfing At The Circus 06 Don’t Wanna Know 07 Twenty Something 08 Dr Shark’s Leather Couch 09 The Duke
The Gold Album was recorded from November 2008 to March 2009 at Sharktank Studios in Windsor, Ontario and was engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Plancke. The album features guest appearances from Sara Hines as Sally, Mark Plancke as Dr. Shark and Jose Ramirez as El Diablo.
Band: Wilf Lancaster Orchestra Formed: 1938 Genre: Big Band
Pic 1: Circa 1939-40 Pic 2: Unknown date Pic 3: Chatham Vocational School (Date Unknown)
The band began as an 8-piece but had to disband as the war was breaking out. The group later reunited in 1945. They would perform 3-4 nights a week to 700-800 people at the Pyranon Ballroom a night. The war was over and dancing was popular as the soldiers came back and the girls once again had dates.
The band gained much respect and drew fans of the music from far and wide. They would also share the stage with acts from out of town such as “the world’s fastest drummer”…Buddy Rich.
After the initial start, the band was commonly playing as a 12 piece orchestra.
Wilf Lancaster retired in 1970 as leader of Chatham’s best known orchestral group.
Chatham Music Archive 