"The Barking Eye"

I'm looking for info about these musicians and bands of the Sault's past music scene.

Keith Danby - guitar                                                                                                                                      Dan Boden - bass
Armstrong - drummer
Screwge - band
Old Hat - band
Undercover - band

Who is Mike Cliffe you ask?  Mike is a guitarist/ song writer from Sault Ste. Marie.  He is in my opinion one of the more unique song writers in our area.  To my ears, Mike's writing is truly experimental and all about expression.  He doesn't stick to one style nor does he seem to want to bite into what is mainstream music.  I first connected with Mike's music on the Revernation site where tons of independent artists like Mike and myself showcase our music.  He has easily 50 songs on his site that range from rock to the ultimate edge of bizarre.   I can honestly say I've not heard anyone like this locally.  For me, the outer edge of creativity whether it appeals to the masses or not, appeals to me.  Experimental music has always been part of my life.
Listening to Mike's music just keeps me wondering what he'll dream up next.   I've mentioned to Mike that his music should be a score to a movie which is my own objective when writing music.   Mike's music is not for everyone but I don't think that bother's him at all.  He is a writing machine and I think deep down that if you like just a part of what he's doing, he's happy with that but the bottom line, he's a writer just for pure enjoyment.    Mike is one of the many independent musicians writing songs but also recording their material within the walls of their own homes these days.  With full control and enough gear to get the job done, the freedom to write and record on home computers has never been easier.

Recently, Mike asked me to do a drum track for a song of his called "Bad Regime".   It's an interesting concept in that we aren't playing in the same building.   He recorded his guitar track to a click track on his software and then sent me the sound file and the speed settings of the song.  All this was sent via the internet.  I then loaded his guitar part into my computer using my own software and set the speed to his settings.  I then recorded my drum parts.  I then send my drum sound file back to him and he places it in his computer as he will be putting it all together.   He also has a female singer from over seas doing keyboards and vocals on the song.   If it works great, but if it doesn't, it's still a unique experience to try.   I've done it with other players and the results are quite cool. ;-)  One thing about Mike is that he is constantly listening to new artists and their music and passing his findings on to others.  There isn't a day that goes by without a Mike Cliffe recommendation popping up on Facebook of some new artist he likes.   Being that I love new music, I always make an effort to check his links out.

Mike's influences are similar to mine which are the, Jeff Beck, King Crimson (Robert Fripp), Hendrix, Zappa arena of music.   His music is out there but if you want to hear something outside the box,  give Mike's  music a listen.  Visit his website at the link below.

http://www.reverbnation.com/mikecliffe

For those interested, there is a musician's union here in Sault Ste. Marie.  The exact title is the American Federation of Musicians or AFM.  Here are the details.

Buried in the archives of our local library is a very rare and forgotten album by a group of Sault musicians called "Northern Heartbeat". This album was compiled and recorded in April of 1998 for what was called the Sault's Homecoming which brought back many Sault folks that had moved away, back for a festival. It was a huge undertaking to put this project together but it did happen and it was a great success. Unknown to almost everyone was the production of an album for this festival which was to be a compilation of original music by local artists. The theme was to have material related to the Sault or Algoma region. Many musicians either submitted songs or were hired to record new songs for the album. I was part of this and recorded drums for 4 new songs. The producer of this project was folk singer song writer Patrick Stewart. It was recorded at Satellite Sound by Bob Macleod and all the graphics were done by Rick Deevey. Rick's paintings are also featured on the inner liner of this CD. Visit Rick's site here.  Rick Deevey's Art and Music Site

The album contained 18 songs plus a 19th song hidden at the end of the CD which only a handful of people knew about, including me. ;-) The album was completed on time and was ready to be sold at the Homecoming event but then it quickly vanished and as far as I know, the album was never made for public sale. Why you ask? There lies the mystery.

Rumours went around that a person on the Homecoming committee wrote a song for the album but was infuriated with how the song turned out. This person only wrote the words and had no musical background but left it in the hands of the producer to make a song out of it. This person heard the song after the album was printed so by then, it was too late to change anything. This person ended up sacking the entire album because their song didn't turn out the way they imagined. They never once came to the sessions so there was no way to anticipate the outcome. This is the story I've heard but no matter what, the album just vanished. Somewhere in Sault Ste. Marie there are boxes of this album with an inch of dust on them. How was the album? Overall, it's pretty sappy and dated in sound but there are moments that do shine. My memory of it is the enjoyment I got out of playing with musicians I  never had a chance to play with prior to that album. It was also one of the last projects Satellite Sound did on that scale before closing.

Recently, I revisited the music on this album as it appears I am one of the few that has a copy.  A keyboardist on the project Eugene Gassi asked me to give him a copy of the song he wrote for the album.  Like I said, there are good and bad moments on the album but the work involved was something to be proud of.  This was done at a time when the music scene was hopping locally.  It was quite the melting pot of musicians on this disc.

Producer Patrick Stewart had his own album out at the time called "One Road" which I also took part in and he was sneaky enough to slip one of his songs on the Northern Heartbeat album as a hidden track.  The only way to hear this song was to play track #18 and continue to let it play after the song ended.  After 43 seconds silence, a race car sound is heard and then Patrick's hidden track starts to play.  BRILLIANT!  I came across the track by accident when I first heard the CD on my home stereo.  In my opinion, it's one of the better songs on the album.

You can find a copy of this album at your local library apparently, if you feel you are interested in hearing it.  I've seen it advertised on the Library site.   I may post the hidden track by Patrick Stewart in a later post.

glen "the freq"

Always a great supporter of local musicians and music collectors, Len and the staff at the Rad Zone are always interested in the local music scene.  You will see Len at the Rotaryfest 2nd Stage events helping to sell products of Sault musicians.  They always have a spot on their shelves for locally produced works.  The Rad Zone also carries collector books, comics, rare LP records and some collector toys along with it's vast CD selection.  They also deal in used stereo equipment.  I recently purchased some JBL speakers for my recording studio there.
If you are looking for hard to find items, they do order material in.   Len found some ultra rare recordings of a band I love called The Easybeats. ;-)   Check out the Rad Zone in the Wellington Square Mall.  

First on the list in the new CD "Spin" by Big Wheel and the Spokes. Featuring the talents of JAY CASE ~ guitar, vocals, CLIFF ALLOY ~ drums, backing vocals, FRANK DERESTI ~ bass, backing vocals. The music is a smooth merger of jazz, blues and funk.
I immediately hear influences of "The Meters" in a few of their tunes who are among my favourite bands. ;-) There is also a James Brown influence. The album was recorded live off the floor at Stereo Soul Studio here in Sault Ste. Marie. Another sweet addition is a horn section on the album. Big Wheel and the Spokes are embarking on a short summer tour so check them out if you can. They presently tour as a 3 piece.

Listen to a few tracks off their new and past albums on their official site below.
Big Wheel and the Spokes


Next on the list are local rockers "Wishbone" who's second album should be coming out any day now. The title was supposedly "St. Misery" but rumour has it that may have changed. No word on the new title yet. The 2nd album was recorded in late 1999 and early 2010 at Stereo Soul Studio in Sault Ste. Marie. Their first album "Making Wishes Breaking Bones" garnered pretty good interest and sales and sold well over 400 copies in a short time last year. While that album was still warm, Wishbone decided to go back in the studio to nail down a follow up. The new album contains a better variety of songs and easily shows the band experimenting in new directions. Song's like "The Messenger" and "Dream the Dream" are destined to become fan favourites judging by the band's performance of these songs live at last years Rotaryfest. Wishbone has undergone a few member changes in it's history but for the sake of the music, both of the albums recorded were done by this line up. DENNIS DUGUAY guitar and vocals, GLEN THOMAS on Drums and vocals, JEREMEY SALATUK on guitar and vocals, CHRIS SMITH on bass and vocals. Yes, I'm the drummer on these 2 albums :-) You can listen to 3 new songs off the new album on their myspace page or you can also visit the Wishbone Tribute page at the links below. Wishbone is probably one of only a few local rock bands that are not in the metal style. I like to call that "old school" rock. ;-) Influences range from Big Sugar, Thin Lizzy, Gun's and Roses and even Blue Rodeo yet, in their music, it's hard to see that but it's there. :-)

The Official Wishbone Site
Wishbone Tribute Site

I am on the search for old drums or drumsets in any condition. For years I have been restoring drumsets as a hobby but also for Christmas Cheer. I'll fix kits up and pick a family to give a drumset to who really can't afford one just to help get their kids into music. I'm also into collecting drumsets of special interest. These kits can just be that they have a unique finish, or hardware or even sound. Most of the kits I collect are pre 1970's but I will consider any kit and at least have a look at it. I am always looking for Gretsch and Slingerland drums in any condition but also Ludwig, Yamaha, Coronet, Stewart, Hoshino, Leedy, Tempo, Star, etc. If you have any old kits or pieces lying around, let me know. We'll wheel and deal. If you're scrapping something, let me know first. I may be interested.

Message me here ;-)

glen "the freq"

It's Rotarfest time again and what better way to celebrate the Sault's arts than by showcasing original music and artwork this July. Submissions are now being taken for this years line up which will be held on July 16th, 2010. Visit the web site to enter the show. You will see two sections on the right side of the official Rotaryfest 2nd Stage site. One for artists, and one for musicians. If you're a musician, you must submit 3 to 5 original songs, including a photo and a short bio.
It's a well organized event and normally sound is provided by Crank Sound Distribution. They also supply the drumset. Deadline was May 7 2010 but last year they extended it a bit so I'm sure they'll do the same this year. Word has it Scott Kennedy is apparently not involved with the 2nd Stage duties this year which will put a damper on things. He's been involved for years with Rotary.

My own band Flat Stanley entered. Hope to see you there.

It was 1994 when I got my first taste of the local folk rock band Rainhorses led by singer/guitarist/songwriter Chris Belsito. The band had an interesting sound, almost gloomy in their first originals. The band recorded their self titled album with guitarist Brian Oja, Paul Blair and a few other musicians that their names escape me.
Brian and I were good friends at that time so when the Rainhorses lost their practice space, I rented them my basement for a while. Their drummer at the time decided to leave and I became their drummer. George Ravlich became their bass player after Paul moved out of town shortly after recording their debut album.
Rainhorses went on to play some great gigs and record some wonderful music. Some these include opening for Great Big Sea, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Colin James plus showcases at festivals like the Northern Lights Festival in Sudbury. The band recorded an album called "August Mask" and a later album called "Turbulence" that sadly never got completed. Some songs were recorded for it however and are posted on
the official Myspace site. Rainhorses combined folk rock with some interesting rhythms and harmony vocals to produce a very unique sound for a Sault band. The music was easy to listen to but had a deep lyrical center based on Chris's writing. Some compared our music to Blue Rodeo, Hemingway Corner and even Crosby Stills and Nash which was a huge compliment. Rainhorses wrote a ton of songs, some never seeing the light of day but they exist on tapes that were recorded in my basement. Some of these songs are now on the Rainhorses Reverbnation site and are FREE to listen too.

I left Rainhorses after doing an outdoor show at Cornfest here locally, searching for more of a progressive rock band to fill my creative bug but as years have passed, I realized I made a bad error in judgment. We all make mistakes but I feel now that Rainhorses could have gone on to bigger and better things had we all focused a bit more. We all just seemed to be searching for something better never realizing that we had the perfect situation right under our noses. Live and learn. I still get people asking about that band via the internet and yes in person and I hope one day, Rainhorses regroups for a show or 2 or even to record more music. You never know. Until then, enjoy the sounds or Rainhorses on these 2 sites.


The Official Rainhorses Site

The Official Rainhorses Reverbnation Music Site

Local sound guru George "Rav" Ravlich and his merry crew from Crank Sound Distribution have been doing wonders for the local play "Wizard of Oz". Reviews of the show and the audio have been great. George has his hands in almost everything sound these days with top gear and techs you can't go wrong. Apparently George had some nice lighting effects for the Wizard show. None the less, George has been a staple in the upcoming Rotary Fest 2nd Stage productions and hopefully he'll be doing it again this year. I'll let you know ;-).