The Grapes of Wrath

By Contributed - Campbell River Mirror
Published: March 29, 2012 2:00 PM
Updated: March 29, 2012 2:55 PM
It’s been 21 years since original Grapes of Wrath members Kevin Kane (vocalist, guitar), Tom Hooper (vocalist, bass) and Chris Hooper (drums) released an album together.

This spring, the three musicians will assemble at the private studio of producer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Blue Rodeo) to record a full album of new material, set for a February 2013 release. Before that happens, though, they will be rocking the Tidemark Theatre on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 pm.

“Darryl was a big part of our formative years in Kelowna,” says Kane, who now resides in Toronto. “In fact, the first time any of us played music in front of an audience, the band consisted of Chris, Tom, Darryl and myself performing at Tom’s Grade 7 graduation dance.”

The new album will feature tracks written by Kane and Tom Hooper, both of whom have released acclaimed solo albums in the years since The Grapes of Wrath first disbanded in 1992.

The Grapes, as they’re affectionately known, formed in Kelowna, B.C. in 1983 and quickly became college radio favourites with their 1985 debut, September Bowl of Green. The album introduced listeners to Tom and Kevin’s Byrdsian harmonies and catchy pop melodies, which they would hone and perfect over the next seven years.

In 1987, The Grapes of Wrath broke through to Canadian mainstream radio with the dazzling, jangly folk-pop of its critically lauded sophomore effort, Treehouse. The band enjoyed even more success with 1989’s Now and Again, which spawned three Top 50 singles, including the quietly haunting What Was Going Through My Head.

Following the release of 1991’s These Days – their second platinum album that spawned two top 10 hits, You May Be Right and I Am Here – the band decided to call it a day. Kane and Tom Hooper reunited briefly in 2000, but it wasn’t until a show at the Surrey Fusion Festival in the summer of 2010 that all three original members shared the stage again.

“We realized there was a special kind of chemistry between the three of us,” recalls Chris Hooper. “I guess because we’d grown up together and learned how to play our instruments together.”

In 2011, The Grapes of Wrath played several dates across Canada to appreciative fans and have lined up other shows for this year.

“It’s interesting how this has evolved from doing just a single reunion show to getting an agent and signing a new record deal - all on its own steam,” says Kane. “It’s nice when things sort of come together of their own volition and don’t feel forced or contrived.”

Grapes of Wrath plays one night only at the Tidemark Theatre on Saturday, April 14th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $32 Adults, $27 Theatre Members, $15 Students, & $5 eyeGO tickets (Grade 9 – 12 students), and are available at the Tidemark Ticket Centre from 10 am to 4 pm, Tue. through Sat. or Charge-by-Phone at 287-PINK (7465) or 1-800-994-0555.

Tickets are also available On-Line at www.tidemarktheatre.com
- Campbell river Mirror

From their humble beginnings in a Kelowna garage, to international fame, The Grapes of Wrath have weathered over 20 years of making music. Known for such songs as "All the Things I Wasn't," "You May Be Right," and "O Lucky Man," original members Kevin Kane and Tom Hooper team up with drummer Matt Brain to bring you all the hits, old and new.

http://grapesofwrath.ca/

Presented By: Tidemark Theatre Society
Sponsored By: 99.7 The River FM - Harbour Living

Canadian music legends The Grapes of Wrath return to former Harpo's location for Autism Benefit Concert!

On Sunday April 15, 2012, at 8:00 pm, multiple Gold recording artists The Grapes of Wrath return to a location very familiar to them (and to Victoria music fans) - the former Harpo's Cabaret (now known as the Upstairs Cabaret).

In honour of April being Autism Awareness Month, this inaugural Harpo's concert is a benefit to raise funds for The Victoria Society For Children With Autism (http://www.victoriaautismsociety.com/) and the local families that depend on it for support, information and respite funds.

On the morning of the concert, Vancouver Island's largest annual community autism event - The Autism Walk - takes place at UVic. For more information and to pledge funds please go to http://www.victoriaautismwalk.com/.

Tickets for this fundraising concert are $20.00 and will be available at Ditch, Lyle's Place later this week.

Future events will be announced via facebook and a blog / info sharing site will be developed at http://www.harpos.org/
- Play in Victoria

With a rich history in Vancouver and Kung-Fu cinematic history, the Rickshaw Theatre welcomes a double bill tour fostering legendary Vancouver bands Grapes of Wrath and The Odds.

A great addition to the local jam, indie pop pushers The Salteens have been in formation for a decade, supplying music lovers with fun and upbeat gigs with positive and humorous themes. The band has enjoyed successful feats such as being in rotation on CBC Radio, attaining an extensive fan base on an international level, a commercial spot and even TV appearances.
Kicking off the night, in an upbeat fashion, The Salteens open with their “Let Go of Your Bad Days,” a lively tune that sets off a positive vibe for the night despite the hesitant crowd scattered all over the place. To no surprise, that soon changes as each song progresses into a melodic splendour with songs like “Crash the Market” claiming that they are ‘on the scene’ and continue with an even mix of old and new songs throughout the set. However, as vibrant as they are, the band manages to be less energetic than previous shows, coming off slightly timid in comparison, but still very fun, and as always, tight. This tone is possibly intentional since the headliners are alternative pop bands that sometimes appear gloomy rather than spritely as in the majority of Salteens ditties. The choice to cast these musicians is a good one indeed that eases the spectators into the next round.


The Salteens

The ‘Good Luck’ double bill officially begins with the Grapes of Wrath. Brothers Tom (vocals, bass) and Chris Hooper (drums) met Kevin Kane (vocals, guitar) in 1977 during their teens in Kelowna, British Columbia. In 1987, the trio broke through to Canadian mainstream radio with their dazzling, jangly folk-pop sound, achieving a renowned reputation nationwide. The Grapes of Wrath commence with “O Lucky Man,” from their Tree House release in 1987. With a fairly large congregation, it is interesting to notice an eclectic milieu of older, and a few younger, fans enjoying the signature alternative folk sound. Being their first single, it is a classic to loyal fans and a good opener because the tunes keep getting more familiar as the show goes on.
The legendary band lives up to their fame with songs that dwell on melancholic notes of confrontation and themes depicting various stages of assorted types of relationships. Calm, passionate and still intriguing as ever, they bring a particular energy that is positive, yet chilled which is not a common denominator with concerts at the Rickshaw. The beauty of it lies in the fact that the group packs as many songs as possible in their set, whereas most bands rely on theatrics or banter in order to keep the audience engaged. But, when you have as many hits as this one does, it is easy to please fans by simply delivering the music.



In the middle of their show, Tom Cooper (bass and vocals), takes a moment to gracefully thank the crowd, reminisce on their heydays at the Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret (which was situated nearby), and to compliment the venue for reviving the theatre. Further highlights include unforgettable singles from their second and third albums Now & Again and These Days such as “I Am Here,” “Do You Want to Tell Me,” and “What Was going Through My Head” (and several more), conducting a sea of enthusiasm throughout the floor. Currently, they are in Toronto recording songs for their new album set to be released in February of 2013 under Aporia Records.
Now, when dealing with a double bill, certain debates may arise concerning which band technically headlines the tour. Is it the band that has had more commercial success to continuously remain on the radar? Or, is it the band that has also earned the legendary title but has taken even more time off to remain mysteriously timeless? It is a tough call with this show, but The Odds end up winning the honour. Formed in 1987, consisting of vocalist-guitarist Craig Northey, bassist Doug Elliott, drum - Van Music

The tide really changed for Harpo's following a performance in 1978 by one of the first punk bands to play the club, the Pointed Sticks. They delivered a 40-minute set, as per custom in the punk world at the time. The only problem was that Van Buskirk, who was used to bands playing three sets a night, didn't have another act on the bill.

Soon after, Harpo's went from booking one band for three sets to booking and three bands for one set apiece.

Pollard arrived at a crucial time in 1985, not long after Harpo's had suffered another audience lull. He brought renewed vigor to the club, and with his expertise and experience of underground music, the role of Harpo's as a trusted tastemaker began anew.

Within a year or two, Harpo's couldn't keep people away, Pollard said. "That's when I realized we really had something going on. I didn't know if what we were doing was difficult or not. I didn't have the past saying, 'You can't do that.' The public was crying out for it."

Pollard and Van Buskirk often put party bands on the weekend calendar, which enabled them to take chances during other days of the week. Pollard came up with an idea for Alternative Mondays, one of many novelties that distinguished Harpo's from other clubs in the area.

Even though its look, feel and staff - including Al, the oft-turtlenecked bouncer - were legendary, Harpo's was always about the music. You could be assured of seeing a quality act every day of the week, usually one of an extremely high calibre.

If a band was booked into Harpo's, that was the only seal of approval needed.

"Harpo's turned Victoria into a preferred destination for bands," wrote agent Mitch Okmin, who booked acts like No Doubt and Dread Zeppelin into Harpo's, in an email. "They all loved to play there."

It was such a sweet room, in fact, that stars like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Buddy Guy, Sarah McLachlan and k.d. lang often stopped for a quick hello when they were in town.

Playing Harpo's was a rite of passage, in a sense. Bryan Adams said during his 2009 concert at the McPherson Playhouse that he was still miffed that he was never asked to play Harpo's. Sarah McLachlan, in a 2005 interview with the Times Colonist, said she cherished her time there.

"Some of my fondest memories, and really strong memories, are playing at Harpo's," she said. "I loved playing there."

Mike McCready, guitarist for Pearl Jam, remembered a particular date at Harpo's - when his band opened for Alice in Chains - that was immortalized years later in a Rolling Stone magazine cover story from 1993.

The story written by film director Cameron Crowe alleged that singer Eddie Vedder threw his microphone stand at the wall in anger at the Victoria audience, very few of whom were interested in an opening set by the band, then called Mookie Blaylock (for the record, Pollard swears it didn't happen.)

Despite the cool reception, the group returned to Harpo's later that year as Pearl Jam, six months after the release of its star-making debut, Ten. "Those were very integral parts to our early being as a band," McCready told the Times Colonist in 2011.

The going was good until the mid-'90s. The original magic was dissolving on stage and off and a sizable dispute - Pollard was quoted in the Times Colonist at the time as saying the owners felt he and Van Buskirk did too much "schmoozing" - spelled the end for everybody.

Van Buskirk left in early 1995 and went on to book the Limit on Broad Street. Pollard lasted at Harpo's a few more months, but eventually joined Van Buskirk. Martay, tired of the grind, eventually sold the club to Victoria promoter Deborah Cameron and her business partner, Joanne Little.

"It was time," Martay said. "[Cameron] seemed, at least to me, like the perfect person, and she turned out to be the absolute wrong choice, unfortunately."

The club didn't last long in the hands of Cameron, who couldn't maintain the quality of acts from Ha - Times Colonist

A new study sheds light on why autism spectrum disorder affects four times more boys than girls - it may be that the biology of females protects them from becoming autistic.

The study's release comes as two autism awareness charity events - a walk at the University of Victoria stadium and a concert at Upstairs Cabaret in Bastion Square - take place Sunday.

The study, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, was conducted by a team of international researchers led by the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and McMaster University in Hamilton.

Researchers analyzed the genes of more than 1,600 people with autism, leading them to uncover a key genetic clue that might explain the gender bias: an alteration in the SHANK1 gene.

"Now, for the first time, we've identified a so-called inherited form of autism that's not on the X or Y chromosome," said Dr.

Stephen Scherer, senior scientist and director of the Centre for Applied Genomics at SickKids and the McLaughlin Centre at the University of Toronto. "We don't know if it accounts for all autism yet, but we certainly think that it is a significant proportion."

The SHANK gene family provides the blueprint for proteins that are involved in forming neural synapses - regions of the nervous system where nerve impulses are sent and received.

When neural synapses aren't properly formed or cannot function properly due to gene mutation, it can cause problems, including symptoms associated with autism, such as problems communicating and interacting socially, researchers said.

"We've found that, if you're a male and have one copy [of the SHANK1 gene] to the typical two, you'll have autism spectrum disorder. If you're a female and only carry one copy, you do not end up being autistic," he said.

"We think the biology of females might protect them from becoming autistic."

Sunday marks the third annual fundraising Victoria Autism Awareness Walk at the stadium at UVic - the university has its own Centre for Autism Research, Technology and Education.

The event opens at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. There is a children's playzone, refreshments and celebrations planned.

Later on, the Grapes of Wrath will play a benefit concert for the Victoria Society for Children with Autism, at Upstairs Cabaret in Bastion Square. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Lyle's Place, 770 Yates Street, Ditch Records, 784 Fort St., or by calling 250-386-6121.

ceharnett@timescolonist.com

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist


Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Biology+protect+females+from+autism+study+finds/6459570/story.html#ixzz1v9XqmuFT - Times Colonist

Pick of the Week - April 13 2012 - Vancouver Courier

The Grapes of Wrath have reunited and are playing at Upstairs Cabaret in Victoria – what used to be Harpo’s – for one of a series of Autism benefit concerts. Leanne Allen asks them what it’s like to be back together after 20 years. - CVV

By Mary Ellen Green - Monday Magazine
Published: April 11, 2012 3:00 PM
Updated: April 11, 2012 3:38 PM


Eight-year-old Nathaniel Pollard is the strong silent type. He was diagnosed with autism on his second birthday and although he hasn’t developed the ability to speak, it’s more than evident that he has an awareness of the people around him and what they are saying.

You can see it in his captivating blue eyes as he communicates with his father, concert promoter Marcus Pollard, mostly through body language and simple hand gestures over sweet potato chips and a beverage at a local Starbucks on their way home from school.

Nathaniel is a Grade 3 student at Frank Hobbs Elementary. He loves music, especially live, which proves the old adage the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

His father Marcus booked some of the top musical acts of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s at some of Victoria’s top venues; Sarah McLachlan, Pearl Jam, John Lee Hooker, Green Day, The Neville Brothers, No Doubt, Alice in Chains, Crash Test Dummies, Buddy Guy and the Grapes of Wrath are among the bands who graced the stage at Harpo’s (now Upstairs Cabaret) and other bars he worked at around town.

“I was pretty relentless asking people to play,” says Pollard. “My phone bills were huge because that was before the days of email and Internet. The special thing about Harpo’s was that you could see a bar band one day and a top-ranked punk rock or top-ranked blues musician, or multi-instrumentalist. It went from noise hardcore to folk and everywhere in between.”

Now Pollard is bringing back some of that old magic with a concert series featuring bands from that era on the old Harpo’s stage, with proceeds going to non-profits around town.

First up is The Grapes of Wrath benefit concert, Sun., April 15 for the Victoria Society for Children with Autism, a cause close to Pollard’s heart.

“The VSCA supplies info and respite funds for people with autistic children and that’s really important because it can be pretty intense. It’s 24-hours-a-day, so if we get the chance to go out and see a movie it’s pretty big,” says Pollard.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this and I thought it would be a great way to keep the Harpo’s heritage important, get some of that old crowd together and put some money in the hands of good people.”

The morning of the concert, Vancouver Island’s largest annual community autism event — the Autism Walk — takes place at UVic. For more information and to pledge funds, please go to victoriaautismwalk.com.

The Grapes of Wrath were recently signed by Aporia Records and this will be the last show before they head into the studio to record their first album in 20 years.

“Weekly people talk to me about Harpo’s and I haven’t worked there since ’95,” says Pollard. “They say they wish it was back, but what they really mean is they wish they could be young again.”

In that vein, doors are at 8 p.m.. It’s an early show. M
- Monday Magazine

By Dale Bass - Kamloops This Week
Published: March 26, 2012 12:00 PM
Updated: March 26, 2012 12:59 PM
When we moved here more than a decade ago, the live-music scene in the city was OK — but, other than the mega-shows local promoter Bill Jaswal was booking, it wasn’t particularly interesting.

That’s not the case now.

Take this past weekend, for example. In the space of just over 24 hours, one venue showcased a local singer-songwriter, an awesome rock band, a classic Canadian band and an iconic rocker.

The Odds opened the music at the Kamloops Convention Centre on Friday, March 23, and it wasn’t surprising to hear people wonder why this Vancouver group was just the opener.

It’s not a new band, having been formed in 1987, but it’s a group that has maintained a strong presence in Canadian music — King of the Heap, It Falls Apart, Wendy Under the Stars and Eat My Brain, for example, are still on playlists today even though they were written a in the 1990s.

I’ve never seen The Odds live before and agreed this is a band that should be headlining.

That role, however, was taken by The Grapes of Wrath, a band formed in Kelowna just two years before The Odds.

The band followed the same career path — both disbanded in the 1990s for a while before getting back together.

They provided a solid show that took the audience through a lengthy discography.

It was a great night of excellent Canadian rock.

The following night, the opening slot was given to Evan Wilds.

Most people likely know him from his years with Earthbound or his one-ups with Sean Luciw or other local performers.

He’s a remarkable talent with a natural ability to engage the audience and a collection of witty, engaging songs.

I don’t think many will ever think of learning their A, B, Cs the same way after hearing his song.

Wilds plays a lot of gigs in Kamloops.

Keep an eye out for the next one and do yourself a favour — go hear him.

Wilds was opening for Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer, as the band now refers to itself.

And, I have to confess that, having sat through this show with me, my hubby says he gets to pick the next concert — and it won’t necessarily be a band I like.

There’s a simple reason for that.

Seeing Dr. Hook was equivalent to checking an item off your bucket list.

The problem was, the band wasn’t on my husband’s list.

It was like watching history being replayed.

Sure, Sawyer’s almost 76 and his voice isn’t what it was when he started back in the 1960s.

But, it was Dr. Hook himself singing about Sylvia and her gatekeeping mother, about his own mom getting five copies of Rolling Stone, about being too young to know that only 16 is too young to fall in love.

Dr. Hook was always known for its comedic side, too, and that was present from the constant dialogue with the audience and with the sly smile on Sawyer’s face.

It was almost matched by the grin on bassist Stevie Ray Anderson’s face — apparently, it’s a lot of fun performing with Sawyer.

Despite the weakness of his voice, Sawyer kept the dance floor — such as it is at the convention centre — filled and the audience singing along with every song.

In a lot of ways, he reminded me of Ronnie Hawkins, another iconic rocker who has this indescribable way of commanding attention by not doing silly theatrics or shout-outs but, rather, being completely real.

That view may be skewed by the fact

that interviewing Sawyer last year was memorable because he came across as a genuinely nice, engaged, interesting and interested person.

Kind of like talking to a beloved grandpa.

There’s a reason it was a sold-out show and it’s not because Dr. Hook is riding high on the charts these days.

Rather,it’s likely because the band continues to ride high in the hearts of people who grew up listening to rock that today is considered classic.
- Kamloops This Week

Kelowna was no place for a great Canadian band in the ‘80s.

“There really wasn’t much of a music scene there,” said Kevin Kane, one of the founding members of The Grapes of Wrath.

“I guess there were no distractions — that would be the positive side of it. The negative would be we were really in a vacuum. We didn’t really have any peers. We were pretty much it, as far as we knew.”

Kane met bandmates Chris and Tom Hooper in Grade school. In a sea of Kiss and Meatloaf fans, the three bonded over their love for The Beatles and The Who.

The Grapes of Wrath achieved mainstream success in the early ‘90s with the release of their second album Now and Again which incorporated keyboardist Vincent Jones.

“It’s all the typical rock stuff that bands get to do,” said Kane about their success in the ‘90s. “We got to tour around in a bus and fly around playing big shows. I guess the experience in a way was good, and I think a lot of musicians get to that point and lose perspective of what initially inspired them.”

Kane left the band and eventually The Grapes of Wrath were deactivated.

In the late ‘90s Kane and Tom reunited and released Field Trip under The Grapes of Wrath name in 2000.

The original three eventually came back together and are set to record a new album.

“The three of us hadn’t played together since 1992,” said Kane. “We went to our first rehearsal and by the second song in we were all laughing because it still sounded the same.”

The Grapes of Wrath play with The Odds at Spiritbar on Thursday.

- The Nelson Star

Members of New Age Soldier are ready to rock out in support of military families.

The Belleville alternative and folk rock band is a week away from its Military Charities Benefit show in Belleville on Friday, March 23 at The Dugout, 644, Dundas St. East.

Aaron Beals, singer and guitarist with New Age Soldier, said he and his band mates - Jim Brownlee, guitars and vocals, Kris Tischbein, bass, and drummer Brad Thompson - will donate all proceeds from the show to two leading charities that help and support Canadian military families - the Canadian Hero Fund (www.herofund.ca) and the Military Families Fund (www.cfpsa.com).

"These two organizations and charities have a direct effect on our region and we hope that people will come out and contribute to the cause," said Beals.

Joining New Age Soldier on stage for the charity rock night will be Oshawa's 'The Afterschool Cobra Gang', as well as local singer/songwriter Paul Guillemette, a CF member currently posted at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton.

"It promises to be a great night of entertainment with music starting shortly after 9 p.m.," added Beals.

Tickets are available in advance for $12 each and can be purchased by contacting Aaron Beals at aaron.beals@hotmail.com or by phone at 613-243-3442.

With influences firmly planted in late 80's and early 90's Canadian and college rock, New Age Soldier creates a fresh and nostalgic sound.

Canadian standouts The Skydiggers, Grapes of Wrath and The Lowest of the Low provide inspiration for the Belleville indie rock quartet who released their debut album "...the dark and the light" to rave reviews and sold out shows in June of 2011.

New Age Soldier was created by Madoc area singer/songwriter Beals in order to bring to life a sound based on introspective lyrics and vocal harmonies.

"More than 20 songs were written over an eight months period beginning in May of 2010 and recording was set in motion at Sonic Pit Studio in Napanee," he said. - Intellegencer.ca

Airdrie residents may be getting a little nostalgic next weekend when two iconic Canadian rock bands come in for a show.

Bert Church Theatre is playing host to The Grapes of Wrath and Odds on March 24. The two groups will share the stage and entertain the audience with their hits from the ’80s and ’90s. The bands will be doing several shows together over the next couple of weeks.

“It’s great to play with (Odds),” said Kevin Kane, vocalist and guitarist with The Grapes of Wrath. “We always felt that we shared something with them when both bands were around back in the ’80s and ’90s.”

“We’re definitely fans of each other,” added Doug Elliott, bassist for Odds.

The Grapes of Wrath – made up of Kane, and brothers Tom and Chris Hooper – started out in the 1980s. Their singles include “All the Things I Wasn’t,” “You May Be Right” and “I Am Here.” The group hasn’t recorded an album together in 21 years, but will be heading back to the studio later this year and releasing an album in 2013.

“It’s pretty great to get back together again,” Kane said. “There are certain things that feel the same as when we were kids. It’s a really interesting dynamic.”

While The Grapes of Wrath will be focusing mostly on their older songs during the Airdrie show, Odds will be performing a bit of a mix, Elliott said.

Odds, now made up of Elliott, Pat Steward, Craig Northey and Murray Atkinson, will be performing some of their best-known singles, like “Someone Who’s Cool,” “It Falls Apart,” and “Eat My Brain,” but will also feature a couple of new songs.

“It’s kind of that thing where out of 15 or 17 songs, you play 12 of the singles because that’s what people are going to want to hear,” Elliott said. “But it’s easy to play those songs because it’s part of our genetic makeup at this point … it’s not a chore to play them.”

But whether it’s old stuff or new stuff, fans of the two groups are definitely in for an exciting show.

“Our approach has always been trying to create the best music that you possibly can and trying to play it and perform it to the best of your abilities,” Elliott said.

Tickets to the show cost $36 and are available online at tickets.thebertchurchtheatre.com.

More information on both bands is available online at grapesofwrath.ca and oddsmusic.com.
- Airdrie Echo

Here in Vancouver, we tend to lose sight of the fact that, yes, there is art and culture—not to mention world-class music—in this province beyond the borders of the Lower Mainland. Take Kelowna; the Okanagan Valley’s biggest population centre not only spawned quality pop-rock acts like the Grapes of Wrath and Yukon Blonde, it’s also a seemingly unlikely incubator of one of the hottest forms of electronic dance music. Three of dubstep’s leading producers—Datsik, Excision, and Downlink—all call Kelowna home.

Reached at a tour stop in Albany, New York, Troy “Datsik” Beetles tells the Straight he had no idea just how close he lived to Excision until he started sharing his own music with the already-established artist (known to his folks as Jeff Abel) in 2008.

“I was always sending him my tracks and being like, ‘Yo, you want to check this out?’” Beetles recalls. “And he was checking them out. And then I sent him ‘Gecko’, and he was like, ‘Holy shit, man, you should come over and let’s just collab on some stuff.’ I was like, ‘Okay’. I actually lived, like, a block away from him. I didn’t even know that until the day I went to his house: ‘Where do you live?’ And he was like, ‘On this road.’ And I literally lived a 30-second walk from his house.”

The newly formed partnership proved fruitful, with Datsik and Excision putting out a steady stream of singles and EPs of their own in addition to their remixes of other acts. With his name on releases by heavy-hitters like the Wu-Tang Clan, MGMT, Diplo, and the Crystal Method, Beetles no doubt had his pick of labels to put out his first full-length album. He went with current touring partner Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records, which will release Vitamin D next month.

Beetles has already dropped two singles from the forthcoming LP: “Fully Blown”, featuring Vancouver MC Snak the Ripper, and “Evilution”, a collaboration with Israeli psytrance giant Infected Mushroom and Korn frontman Jonathan Davis. Both tracks bear all of the producer’s signatures, including distorted bass drops and robot-rampage oscillation, layered over beats that arguably owe more to hip-hop, rock, and industrial metal than they do to the roots of dubstep. In other words, Datsik fits squarely into the category of “brostep” along with such other unapologetic populists as Skrillex and 12th Planet.

That’s a good indication that, live, Datsik is a crowd-pleaser. He admits, though, that he can’t compete with Aoki, whose performance style is more akin to a punk-rock frontman than a superstar DJ. “Steve is definitely a showman,” Beetles says. “He puts on a hell of a show for people. People leave being really excited, covered in champagne and cake, and no matter what, he makes sure everyone in the crowd has a good time before they leave.”

As for Datsik, who manipulates tracks on the fly using Ableton Live, he tends to focus more on the task at hand. “I’m definitely more of a behind-the-decks kind of guy rather than running around and jumping into the crowd,” he admits. “I do that from time to time, but for me number one is just playing the best show I possibly can. But I think, that being said, it creates a really good balance between the two, because when me and Steve play together, the audience gets a bit of everything.” - The Vancouver Straight

After more than two decades, the original members of the Grapes of Wrath are getting back together to record a new album.
The band, one of Kelowna's greatest musical exports, has signed a deal with Aporia Records.
Yes, it really has been 21 years since original members Kevin Kane (vocalist, guitar), Tom Hooper (vocalist, bass) and Chris Hooper (drums) released an album together.
This spring, the three musicians will assemble at the private studio of producer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Blue Rodeo) to record a full album of new material, set for a February 2013 release.
"Darryl was a big part of our formative years in Kelowna," said Kane, who now resides in Toronto. "In fact, the first time any of us played music in front of an audience, the band consisted of Chris, Tom, Darryl and myself, performing at Tom's Grade 7 graduation dance."
The new album will feature tracks written by Kane and Tom Hooper, both of whom have released solo albums in the years since The Grapes of Wrath first disbanded in 1992.
All The Things I Wasn't was one of my favourite songs in high school," said Gord Dimitrieff, owner of Aporia Records. "So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled to now be working with The Grapes Of Wrath on their first new album in over 20 years."
The band is equally enthused to be working with Aporia.
"Aporia has a great reputation for providing their artists with both freedom and support, which is everything we could ask for in a label," Tom says.
The Grapes formed in Kelowna in 1983 and became college radio favourites with their 1985 debut, September Bowl of Green. The album introduced listeners to Tom Hooper's and Kane's Byrdsian harmonies and catchy pop melodies, which they would hone and perfect over the next seven years.
In 1987, The Grapes of Wrath broke through to Canadian mainstream radio with the jangly folk-pop of its critically lauded sophomore effort, Treehouse. The band enjoyed even more success with 1989's Now and Again, which spawned three Top 50 singles, including the quietly haunting What Was Going Through My Head.
Following the release of 1991's These Days - their second platinum album that spawned two top 10 hits, You May Be Right and I Am Here - the band decided to call it a day. Kane and Tom Hooper reunited briefly in 2000, but it wasn't until a show at the Surrey Fusion Festival in the summer of 2010 that all three original members shared the stage again.
"We realized there was a special kind of chemistry between the three of us," recalls Chris Hooper.
"I guess because we'd grown up together and learned how to play our instruments together."
In 2011, The Grapes of Wrath played several dates across Canada to appreciative fans and have already lined up shows for this year.
"It's interesting how this has evolved from doing just a single reunion show to getting an agent and signing a new record deal - all on it's own steam," said Kane. "It's nice when things sort of come together of their own volition and don't feel forced or contrived."
The closest the Grapes will play the Okanagan over the next while is the Kamloops Convention Centre on March 23.
- Kelowna Daily Courier

Kevin Kane, Tom Hooper Chris Hooper haven't released anything since the 90s. If memory serves, their last album was These Days in 1991. There have been gigs but no new recordings.

That will change in about a year as the band has signed with Aporia Records with an eye set on releasing a new record in February 2013.

Watch this space for developments - Alan Cross - A Journal of Musical Things

Aporia Records is pleased to announce it has signed Canada's beloved folk-rock trio, The Grapes Of Wrath. It’s been 21 years since original members Kevin Kane (vocalist, guitar), Tom Hooper (vocalist, bass) and Chris Hooper (drums) released an album together. This spring, the three musicians will assemble at the private studio of producer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Blue Rodeo) to record a full album of new material, set for a February 2013 release.

"Darryl was a big part of our formative years in Kelowna," says Kevin, who now resides in Toronto. "In fact, the first time any of us played music in front of an audience, the band consisted of Chris, Tom, Darryl and myself performing at Tom's Grade 7 graduation dance."

The new album will feature tracks written by Kevin and Tom, both of whom have released acclaimed solo albums in the years since The Grapes of Wrath first disbanded in 1992.

""All The Things I Wasn't" was one of my favourite songs in high school," says Gord Dimitrieff, owner of Aporia Records. "So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled to now be working with The Grapes Of Wrath on their first new album in over 20 years."

"Aporia has a great reputation for providing their artists with both freedom and support, which is everything we could ask for in a label," Tom says.

For more information, please visit: www.grapesofwrath.ca . - Pure Grain Audio

By Gregory Adams
The Grapes of Wrath reunited for a smattering of shows in 2010 and 2011, and the get-together apparently proved fruitful, as the BC-bred janglers are just about to record their first album in 21 years.

A press release confirms that the trio will head into the studio of producer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Blue Rodeo) this spring with plans to release an LP's worth of material in February 2013 on the band's new label home of Aporia Records. The Grapes of Wrath last released These Days in 1991.

"We realized there was a special kind of chemistry between the three of us," drummer Chris Hooper said in a statement, hinting at how the band had begun jamming together back in the '80s. "I guess because we'd grown up together and learned how to play our instruments together."

Guitarist/vocalist Kevin Kane added, "It's interesting how this has evolved from doing just a single reunion show to getting an agent and signing a new record deal -- all on its own steam. It's nice when things sort of come together of their own volition and don't feel forced or contrived."

While the reunion shows strengthened the bonds between the bandmates, the recording sessions bring the band even further back to their roots, considering they had once played in a band with Neudorf.

"Darryl was a big part of our formative years in Kelowna," Kane explained. "In fact, the first time any of us played music in front of an audience, the band consisted of Chris, Tom, Darryl and myself performing at Tom's Grade 7 graduation dance."

While the album is still a year away, the Grapes of Wrath have some upcoming tour dates in BC and Alberta. You can check the schedule below.

Tour dates:

3/22 Nelson, BC - The Hume Hotel — Spirit Bar
3/23 Kamloops, BC - Kamloops Convention Centre
3/24 Airdrie, AB - The Bert Church Theatre
?4/13 Vancouver, BC - The Rickshaw Theatre
4/14 Campbell River, BC - Tidemark Theatre


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It’s been 21 years since The Grapes of Wrath — Kevin Kane (vocalist, guitar), Tom Hooper (vocalist, bass) and Chris Hooper (drums) — released an album together. This spring, the three musicians will assemble at the private studio of producer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Blue Rodeo) to record a full album of new material (set for a February 2013 release on Aporia Records).

“Darryl was a big part of our formative years in Kelowna,” says Kevin, who now resides in Toronto. “In fact, the first time any of us played music in front of an audience, the band consisted of Chris, Tom, Darryl and myself performing at Tom’s Grade 7 graduation dance.”

The new album will feature tracks written by Kevin and Tom, both of whom have released acclaimed solo albums in the years since The Grapes of Wrath first disbanded in 1992.

“All The Things I Wasn’t” was one of my favourite songs in high school,” says Gord Dimitrieff, owner of Aporia Records. “So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled to now be working with The Grapes Of Wrath on their first new album in over 20 years.”

Label manager and west coast transplant, Shannon Martin, perhaps summed up Aporia’s excitement best: “I’m so super stoked.”

The band is equally enthused to be working with Aporia.

“Aporia has a great reputation for providing their artists with both freedom and support, which is everything we could ask for in a label,” Tom says.

The Grapes, as they’re affectionately known, formed in Kelowna, B.C. in 1983 and quickly became college radio favourites with their 1985 debut, September Bowl of Green. The album introduced listeners to Tom and Kevin’s Byrdsian harmonies and catchy pop melodies, which they would hone and perfect over the next seven years.

In 1987, The Grapes of Wrath broke through to Canadian mainstream radio with the dazzling, jangly folk-pop of its critically lauded sophomore effort, Treehouse. The band enjoyed even more success with 1989’s Now and Again, which spawned three Top 50 singles, including the quietly haunting “What Was Going Through My Head”.

Following the release of 1991’s These Days – their second platinum album that spawned two top 10 hits, “You May Be Right” and “I Am Here” – the band decided to call it a day. Kevin and Tom reunited briefly in 2000, but it wasn’t until a show at the Surrey Fusion Festival in the summer of 2010 that all three original members shared the stage again.

“We realized there was a special kind of chemistry between the three of us,” recalls Chris. “I guess because we’d grown up together and learned how to play our instruments together.”

In 2011, The Grapes of Wrath played several dates across Canada to appreciative fans and have already lined up shows for this year.

“It’s interesting how this has evolved from doing just a single reunion show to getting an agent and signing a new record deal – all on it’s own steam,” says Kevin. “It’s nice when things sort of come together of their own volition and don’t feel forced or contrived.” - The Music Junkyard