Demics, Cedar Lounge

Click image for more photos ...

Our friend Dave O'Halloran (aka What Wave Dave on CHRW) has been sharing on Facebook, with our grateful permission, photos that we had taken of various bands back in the 1980's. Today, April 20, 2024, Dave writes in The Cedar Lounge - Blue Boot group:

"Here's some more excellent Reg Quinton pics from the Cedar Lounge. This time it's the Demics w/original guitarist Rob Brent. Circa 1979/80.

May 1/2024 marks 42 years ago the Cedar closed it's doors for the final time."

Markii Burnaway comments: "Thanks Dave and Reg for promo-ing the Demics ..I believe the Demics should be more nationally even internationally known like Teenage Head, DOA etc. They tend to be little London's best kept secret."

Fred Young says, "Remember the bass player, Ian Staines, from my time at Saunders Secondary" and Kelly Mulvey adds, "I was forever running into Ian in Toronto, he'd always ask 'how is every little thing with you'".

Rob Minderman adds: "Saw them there in 1979, 1980. They put us (Second Thoughts) up in their Toronto house on Baldwin St when we played at The Headspace - Larry's Hideaway in 1980."

There is some good evidence that people were having a heck of a time. The dance floor looks packed and sweaty. And it always was for the Demics. We really loved this band: vocalist Keith Whittaker, guitarist Rob Brent, bassist Iain Atkinson-Staines and drummer James Weatherstone (see Wikipedia). Their EP, "Talk's Cheap" came out in 1979 and the Cedar Lounge was their home. There were PhD. colleagues at school who were keen on the punk movement, others disparaged the 3 chord structure. I loved the attitude, and Keith had it in spades. Keith Whittaker died of cancer in 1996.

I've posted many of these pictures before on Facebook and in this blog. The photos here seem to be all available light, hence the yellow cast. There were some stage lights, but nothing fancy. At the time I recall having a 135mm F2 Soligor lens. I suspect I did not have a good flash at the time.

— 2024/12/21 I have moved this post in my blog to the approximate date of the event. Arbitrarily picked a date in 1980 (BK).

XTC/Fingerprintz

Click image for more photos ...

February 3, 1980 I saw the English band XTC at Guelph University, War Memorial Hall with my brother Paul who, at the time, was at university there. They were supported by Fingerprintz who were touring with them at the time. Both were pop tinged post punk (aka "new wave") bands who I really liked.

XTC went on to become more of a studio band and, to my mind, became a little too arty. At the time I saw them they had a good catalogue of hits from their first 3 albums -- "Making Plans for Nigel", from Drums & Wires, was a big hit at the time. To explore more of their music see their YouTube Channel.

Fingerprintz folded shortly after their 1981 album "Beat Noir". At the time they were show casing "The Very Dab". Both are great albums.  To explore more of their music see their YouTube Channel.

These photos are from slides taken at the time and scanned during the COVID-19 crisis of 2020/21.

Infidels

Click image for more ...

Our friend Dave O'Halloran (aka What Wave Dave on CHRW) has been sharing on Facebook, with our grateful permission, photos that we had taken of various bands back in the 1980's. This morning (August 5, 2024) Dave writes in 1980's Punk Rockers in London, Ontario group:

"More Reg Quinton pics, this time it's The Infidels circa 1981 at the Cedar Lounge.

Here's some info from guitarist/singer Dan McGrath: "That's me in the striped shirt. Andrew Glen on drums, Scott Woods at the far end and Phil Hogan playing bass. We were called the Infidels and we're about 17 at the time. We generally would open for the Zellots. We played here a couple times, the Knights of Columbus Hall and Polish Hall on Ann St. that summer. Phil was the lead singer, I only sang lead on Modern Lovers "Roadrunner" which I'm guessing we are playing in this pic. Would love to see more pics if there are any."

 
[I have only] found these 2 pics."

Bill McGrath commented, "I remember Phil, the lead singer, wearing a Val Halen t-shirt that he later printed "SUCKS" under the logo."

Clearly these images are from the Cedar Lounge and I do think it must have been a Zellots gig — the big round ball on top of the amplifier at stage left twigs with me. Dan McGrath shared a poster of a Zellots/Infidels November 1980 gig at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Colborne St. that I've added to the album. I recall an underage event there (which later became Pete Denomme's venue). The underage folk were violently ill (I assume too much alcohol) and the washroom was a sea of vomit. I suspect it was this gig in the 1980 poster.

Dan shared several posters and I have added them to the album as well.

I would never have been able to figure out the band, or band members. It's really great that Dave can post some pictures and ask, "Anyone have any idea who this band its?  Cedar Lounge circa 1981 Reg Quinton photo."

Many thanks to Dave for sorting through these old photos. There's an occasional gem to be found but always some fond memories to be shared. Thanks again!

— 2024/12/20 I have moved this post to the approximate time of the event.