In the early 1980’s two great Canadian bands began a musical journey that would last over 30 years and counting. The Grapes of Wrath, formed by Chris Hooper, Tom Hooper and Kevin Kane, began in 1983 in Kelowna, British Columbia. A year later The Northern Pikes began in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with original members Jay Semko, Bryan Potvin, Merl Bryck and Glen Hollingshead (who left the band in 1985 and was replaced by Don Schmid in 1986).
Over the years both bands released multiple albums and had a string of hits on radio and MuchMusic Television here in Canada, putting out some of the best songs our country has to offer. And over the years there have been break-ups, name changes, member changes, solo careers and other projects going on with both bands.
But it wasn’t until almost two years ago that either band connected with each other in any way until Kane and Potvin met at a music store in Toronto, when they both realized they lived just blocks from each other.
“Bryan and I didn’t know each other “back in the day.” It wasn’t until the two of us struck up a conversation at a Toronto guitar shop (Capsule Music, for you trivia buffs!) back in early 2014, realized we lived blocks from one another and decided to get together to try playing some tunes,” says Kane.
Potvin adds, “We had the clever idea of playing a show together – it was fun and we kinda just kept going. Not sure who exactly suggested we write and record music but that happened rather effortlessly, too. In fact, effortlessness has been a bit of a theme for us thus far: perhaps being older and experienced has created an ecosystem of wisdom but up to this point, everything we do, from deciding how to record to arranging new and vintage material has been effortless.”
In the last 18 months Kane & Potvin have played over 80 shows across Canada. They are currently finishing up their first studio album – a follow-up to their live album, a “merch-only” album sold at their shows.
“The live album was done more as a keepsake/memento for those coming to see us live, as well as a document of where we were at that point in our development,” says Kane. “We had been selling our respective solo and band CDs but people kept asking us if we had anything with the two of us together. Folks seem to like it!”
As for the new album, Kanes adds, “We hope to have it out late winter/early spring of 2016, but people can get the first side IMMEDIATELY by going to our Kane & Potvin PledgeMusic page: http://www.pledgemusic.com/artists/kaneandpotvin.”
The debut album will contain all original material written by Kane & Potvin.
“We’re both self-contained writers capable of turning out tunes on our own (which we do on this record) but we were especially excited to try doing some writing together, and ended up writing a couple together,” explains Kane.
“Literally from song to song, the process has been different,” continues Potvin. “Regarding lyrics, we’ve usually worked independently but we have edited and suggested things to one another. Music and melodies has been the most blended form of collaboration. I think we both have a very strong sense of melody so “finishing each other’s sentences” melodically-speaking has been effortless (there’s that word again!)”
When asked how he would describe the new album musically, Potvin responds: “I think there is a happy hybrid of what one familiar with the Grapes and the Pikes would expect. However, there are other things going on, perhaps slightly conceptual at times. There are moods that have been unexplored by either band (to the best of my knowledge) and there are some new instruments being incorporated into what we are doing such as mandolin, which is very exciting!”
Kane says reaction to the new material, so far, has “been great”.
“We’ve been playing the first half of the album live, so at this point we’re doing more Kane & Potvin material than anything else. Audiences really seem keen on the new stuff!”
“As we’ve been completing the album we have been including those songs into our sets and they are fun to play!” adds Potvin. “We are creating our own identity and it is very exciting. It feels like a new band but we have these killer “cover songs” that we play from the Pikes and the Grapes too!”
But playing together has become a little more infrequent for Kane & Potvin these days. Since getting together with Kane, Potvin has moved to Nova Scotia with his wife, Kate, of two years. Kane & Potvin don’t get together as often but “when we are together we make the most of every precious second,” says Kane.
Kane & Potvin have a few shows coming up in the next week, with their biggest show to date happening this Saturday, December 12, opening for Blue Peter and Chalk Circle at The Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. Kane first met Chalk Circle singer Chris Tait back in April when he was part of the “Music For Memory Project” Alzheimer’s benefit at the Horseshoe Tavern which Tait helped organize.
“I didn’t know the Chalk Circle or Blue Peter guys prior (I’ve only lived in Toronto for 5 years – still getting to know people) but I’ve been checking them out on YouTube and getting increasingly stoked for the show!”
Adds Potvin, “I saw Chalk Circle in Saskatoon in the mid-80’s. They played a place called Foxies and I met the guys after the show and they came to my mother’s home for a hang out. A few years later we saw them play a show in London and they all wore Northern Pikes t-shirts on stage.
“This will be my first live Blue Peter experience,” Potvin continues. “Chris Wardman is a good man and has been very kind to me – it feels good to have been invited into this event. I’m really looking forward to the show!”
For more information and tickets visit The Phoenix Concert Theatre website here or visit the event page on Facebook by clicking here.
Connect with Kane & Potvin online: (Website) (Facebook) (Twitter)
Other Links:
The Northern Pikes: (Facebook)
Bryan Potvin: (Website)
The Grapes of Wrath: (Website) (Facebook)
Additional Information:
The Northern Pikes finished a mini tour in Ontario last month for their “Power Trio 2015” Tour which included a show as headliners for the Light of Day Kingston benefit show on November 14. The band has some dates scheduled for 2016. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for updates.
As for The Grapes of Wrath, according to Kevin Kane: “Grapes have been back at it live since 2010 and released the High Road album in 2013. Offers are coming in so there’ll be some more Grapes live action in 2016. Recording is also being discussed.”
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