And since I'm in a grateful mode...

Participating to the Metal thread, I've found myself digging back in the past.

In that thread, I mentioned Voivod, a band that was quite an inspiration to many us young metal musicians where I lived. Whenever I read the story of the Beatles, I feel like I can understand how Liverpudlians felt when the Beatles made it in London and the rest of England. It was like living in Delaware, only, 100 times less cool. ;)

This was back in 1984. I was 12. The bay area bands were starting to emerge - Metallica had just released Ride the Lightning. The metal scene in the province of Quebec was pretty much an underground/local thing. Only the bands from THE big city (Montreal) seemed to have a chance at touring. And that's if they were playing Judas Priest and Deep Purple. If you were on the bleeding edge, there was no scene.

Recording was almost de facto excluded, except for demo tapes. Heck, I don't believe anyone in my hometown had ever seen a Fostex before much later in the 80s. No airplay, no MTV... Touring meant touring in crappy conditions, a few cities in Quebec, exclusively. You couldn't really expect to make it in the rest of Canada. Making it in the US wasn't even a dream for the most optimistic. And since the population of the province barely reached 7 millions, you didn't make a living playing metal. 

But these 4 guys from a small 50 000 french-speaking souls remote location in Quebec somehow managed to have one of their songs published on the legendary Metal Massacre compilation, along w/ bands like Overkill, Metal Church and Fates Warning. Not only that, they managed to have a full record published. The music was still passable at best. The production was for all purpose non-existent. But they had made it on vinyl! 

As the band evolved and gained in refinement, the fan base grew bigger and bigger. By the time they released their 3rd and 4th albums, they had become quite unique. The music was good, and though they still suffered from the independent production, to us, it didn't really seem sub-standard anymore. 

Their 5th album was supposed to be produced by Terry Brown (Rush) but for some reason, it didn't work. But the album earned them an unprecedented notoriety for a Quebec band. I remember a newspaper headline stating that they were probably the first local product that could make it into the US since maple syrup. (yeah, that was before Celine and Cirque):s Their cover of Astonomy Domine earned them David Gilmour's blessings and rotation on MTV's Headbangers Ball.

They even toured w/ Soundgarden and Faith No More and signed w/ MCA. But the following album (produced by the aforementioned Terry Brown) was a total let down and they just couldn't find that momentum again. Still, Voivod remained on my playlist long after started losing my interest for metal. I finally managed to see them w/ their new singer when I moved to Montreal in '94. To this day, the late guitar player still remains an inspiration. That guy never played what you'd expect - he sounded like no one else. I rank him as one of my top 5 guitar influences, along w/ Rhoads, Hendrix, Page and Hetfield.

Funnily enough, a few years ago, my younger brother was just so proud to tell me that he was touring w/ the Voivod drummer. He's a bit too young to have shared the excitement, but he knew how important that band had been to me, and as such, had an impact on him. I've also had the opportunity to meet the singer through my wife and a few common friends. 

So tonight I find myself buying a couple of those old albums again on iTunes (because most of my stuff is still in Quebec) and realize how rudimentary the production was, even when they travelled all the way to Germany to record an album. Man, the DAW age rules. :) Still, the music shines (imho). 

What's your story? Any of you remember a local "hero" or band or something that made them believe that this could happen? Or perhaps some of you guys actually were in such pioneering bands? Or maybe you actually live in Delaware, and think there is no hope, in which case, I hope this will bring you hope. ;) ;) ;)

spacey


Yeah Rain, but it didn't turn out so good.

There was a big club in my hometown that was the place to be.
The housebands guitarist left to play the circuit.
I was 15 and hired to take his place. Country/Rock gig and everybody
was much older than me.
The guitarist became a good friend...he loved coming by and stealing licks LOL.
He was playing with Kenny Rodgers and best I recall...Dottie West?...and when
the tour bus dropped him off he'd come by and fill me in.....and steal some licks :)

Time went by and he dropped in at a club I was doing and what a let down...
drugs and he was in deep. Everything he worked for wasted. Even with all his
funny and very entertaining stories and invitations for me to meet and party with
some "big boys"....just wasn't something I wanted to get into.

Sure there was times when I regretted not diving in but life's funny and it all
worked out in my favor- so now it's just a story about a snow-blind friend....but real.

You did that too? :) I used to sit in for the guitar player (the music school teacher, actually) w/ a bunch of old beatniks who were as old as my father. 


Still, that's a sad story, man. My "heros" didn't decline that badly, even though they lost momentum. They eventually got back on the track when long-time fan Jason Newstead decided to join the band. 


I found out tonight that, against all odds (well, not really), they are working on a new album. The "kid" they hired to play guitar would probably have Piggy (the original guitar player) smiling. IMHO, Piggy's shoes are probably some of the biggest to fill. Not only was he a totally original musician, but he was the driving force behind the band, along w/ the band


But I think he'd approve. The rest of the original line-up is back and if anyone can keep the spirit alive, that guy is the one. Sort of like Zakk Wylde vs Randy Rhoads. There's a respectful continuity.

Cool stories, Herb! Thanks for sharing. :)