"What It Means to Be Truly Independent"

Last night marked the end of a chapter in Canadian Indie music history. The Rheostatics have, after 21 years, called it a day. As a tribute to the majesty of the Rheostatics, several indie bands from the 90s reunited to record a CD of Rheos' songs: the Inbreds, Local Rabbits, and Weeping Tile (all reunited) are joined by King Cobb Steelie, Barenaked Ladies, Wooden Stars, and By Divine Right, among others, on a CD available in limited copies from Zunior.com.

The Local Rabbits' Ben Gunning is quoted as saying of the Rheostatics: "Of all they gave us, though, the most valuable is, without a doubt, their demonstration of what it means to be truly independent. Not just 'indie' as a synonym for 'unsigned,' but independent of the trends of the day creatively unfettered."

Well said, Mr. Gunning.

Links and more Links

Honest, this blog will become a priority soon...one of these days (take pity on two busy grad students, though, won't ya?!).... In the meantime, we've stumbled across some 90's Canadian Indie Rock links and news of late....

As most of the world knows--or at least that part of the world with half-decent musical taste knows--Canadian indie rock Kings, the Rheostatics are calling it a day after three decades... The CBC has posted a rather interesting photo essay of the band's history... The Rheostatics' Northern Odyssey. Photo #7 is of particular interest to us, since we were in that crowd--front row, actually, stage right, pretty much directly in front of Martin Tielli... Check out my photos from that same day, below.... This was the same Canada Day performance where Tragically Hip fans pretty much destroyed the afternoon for true lovers of Canadian music, by consistently throwing garbage and water bottles onto the stage, all the while screaming "Get off the stage, we want the Hip..." It was pathetic.... Dave Bidini tells the tale rather well in his excellent book, On A Cold Road.

And then there are the series of sites created by the fine fellows at Canadian Music Forum, to date featuring the Rheostatics, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, and Thomas Trio and the Red Albino.


Finally, there are rumours circulating that Mint Records will reissue Cub's albums, along with Maow's only release (featuring Neko Case on drums and vocals). Does this mean my signed copy of Betti-Cola will be worth something now?!