That's one for the book: July 1986

Monday, July 7, 1986

Itsa Skitsa

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, July 15, 2024, Dave writes in 1980's Punk Rockers in London, Ontario group:

"Here's some more Reg Quinton photos of Itsa Skitsa circa 1986 and it looks like Lionels (south side of King St, near Talbot, second floor).

The band consisted of; Iain Staines (former Demic), Damian Seguin (former Soma), Paul Scriven (former Stoves) and Doug Campbell (former Soma). They released a 6 song 12" record and appeared on the CHRW compilation, London Underground during their tenure. There was a CD released in 2003 that collected unreleased mid 80's recordings."

Thanks Dave, this helps to identify some photos we had wondered about.

I suspect this event was sometime before the CTO event in the previous blog post. Ian's hair is much longer and the boys have kept their shirts on — but perhaps those other events were hot and sweaty summer events. This event doesn't look as "wild" as the others.

I'm pretty sure that they are the front act for someone else but I know not who. You can see there's another drum kit on a riser behind Doug and there's far more amps and other gear on the crowded stage. When I learn more I'll update this blog.

— 2024/12/20 I've moved this post to the approximate date of the event.

Thursday, July 3, 1986

Napalm Baby's, Embassy

Click image for more photos ..

"More Reg Quinton pics, this time it's the Napalm Baby's.

Dated 1983 and at the Embassy Hotel. At the time the band consisted of: Dave Newsome (vocals), Dan Husband (guitar), Rob Johnston (guitar), Bruce Fisher (bass) and Wayne Fisher (drums). Remember seeing this lineup many times around town and always high energy blasts!"

Some interesting comments were posted on a cross posting to the Radio What Wave group:

John Herb writes, "Dave had a bit of a "Bad Boy" reputation. I was a friend/ acolyte so I know some of that stuff was true. Remember when he got arrested for peeing on Janice Zolf at The Vic? Fucking legend. I miss him a lot. For a year or so he felt like an older brother. I can honestly say I never saw him dumping drugs into his arm. If he was trying to keep me away from that shit - I appreciate it. RIP ROCKER!"

Markii Burnaway replies, "He peed on a girl named Margaret from CHRW which was a downturn for him. Everyone liked Margaret."

And Kerry Piper confirms, "John Herb it wasn't Janice Zolf." and adds "... I liked Dave. It was Margaret English he allegedly peed on. I still like her too." and remarks "Good old Dave. RIP."

Verne Jarvis says, "I remember a party in the Napalm Babies band house. It was insane. They looped a recording of the baby crying in Alice Cooper's. "Dead Babies" for about 5 minutes before the band started." and adds "Dave was a sweet guy, he was pretty bent on self-destruction. I heard people say he got really weird from time to time, I didn't see too much of that, he was always cool with me, whenever we'd hangout after the bar closed for the night. Napalm Babies were one of my faves back in the day.."

Dan Heywood adds, "First time I seen them was at the Embassy. Might have been this show!"

I have nothing so dramatic to add, I was only there and took some pictures. I do appreciate Dave sorting through these old photos and figuring out the who, what, where and when. We'll never figure out the why.

There are some gems here taken with a Sigma 16mm full frame fisheye lens — I had a Canon AE-1 and and A1 back then. Great 35mm cameras — exposure automation but manual focus. When I gave up on the Canon FD mount for the EOS line (autofocus) I passed that lens on to a friend Colleen. I still have a fisheye, an 8mm on the EF mount, and like the effect.

These photos have been shared before — see the "Napalm Babys" (2021) posting in this blog.

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