The Northern Pikes Delight Bluesfest Fans With Classic Hits and New Tunes.
A Fan's Experience With One of Canada's Iconic Bands.
The Northern Pikes - Rock 'n' Rumble - July 28, 2018 ©kaoticnotes
Canadian legends graced the stages during the 19th Annual Kitchener Bluesfest this past weekend. While Tom Cochrane kicked off the festival, and Kim Mitchell headlined Saturday night, it was The Northern Pikes that drew me to the park. Personally one of my favourite Canadian bands, I was eager to see them again and hear the new music. They had no difficulty captivating the audience by playing some of their most memorable songs, as well as some new material from their latest album ‘Forest of Love’.
This was the third summer in a row that I had the opportunity to see the Pikes. On July 1, 2017 to help celebrate Canada’s 150th in Brantford, they joined with other Canadian icons Junkhouse, The Spoons, Teenage Head, and The Tea Party. Despite being a fan of the Pikes since my highschool days in the late ‘80s, that was the first time I had actually seen them live. The indisputable energy and fun they have on stage was contagious. It brought back countless memories of my youth growing up in Northern Ontario with their music.
Last summer, they played our annual Rock 'n' Rumble free music event. They came armed with all their hits, including a pair of Grapes of Wrath songs, courtesy of newest member, Kevin Kane on guitar and vocals. Once again, that chemistry was unmistakable among the members: Jay Semko (bass and vocals), Bryan Potvin (guitar and vocals), Don Schmid (drums) and Kevin.
Brantford - July 1, 2017 ©kaoticnotes
What is it about their music that is still just as vital in 2019 as it was back in the 80s and 90s? I’d like to think that it is the talent that each individual member possesses that collectively produces a product that is still as refreshing and relevant today as it was back when they were first starting to find their footing alongside their peers.
If you go on a musical journey with their catalogue you will either hear quirky, upbeat lyrics or thought-provoking sober lyrics all backed by catchy melodies, guitar crunch, thundering bass and not one, not two, but three exceptional vocals that blend uniformly to emerge as something that still remains just as magical. While other bands at that time were incorporating synthesizers and computerized loops in their songs, the Northern Pikes avoided that by concentrating on dueling guitars by Bryan and Merl Bryck (who left the band in 2006); a mesmerizing bass from Jay, and the rhythmic backbeat that held it all together by Don.
If you go on a musical journey with their catalogue you will either hear quirky, upbeat lyrics or thought-provoking sober lyrics all backed by catchy melodies, guitar crunch, thundering bass and not one, not two, but three exceptional vocals that blend uniformly to emerge as something that still remains just as magical. While other bands at that time were incorporating synthesizers and computerized loops in their songs, the Northern Pikes avoided that by concentrating on dueling guitars by Bryan and Merl Bryck (who left the band in 2006); a mesmerizing bass from Jay, and the rhythmic backbeat that held it all together by Don.
The right combination of guitars, bass and drums, and the occasional piano, all complement the lyrics. Each instrument (including voice) is just as crucial to the Pikes' sound as the next. To reproduce what the Northern Pikes have would be like trying to catch lightning in a bottle.
Kitchener Bluesfest - Aug 10, 2019 ©kaoticnotes
Back to Bluesfest. After being introduced, a haunting familiar intro played as they walked onto the stage. There was something about seeing the Pikes together on that platform in 2019 that just brought a smile to my face, as well as countless others around me. They sounded fantastic. As they made their way through the setlist for the next 90 minutes, it was a trip down memory lane. The setlist consisted of early singles to new ones and some unreleased (as of yet) off ‘Forest of Love’. How did the new songs sound? Let me tell you, they were phenomenal.
The recently released new singles ‘King in His Castle’ and ‘Don’t You Give Up’ crossed over from album to stage flawlessly. They held their own and much like their song mates, were delivered with passion, precision and pride from the guys who appeared to be genuinely happy to be playing new music to their fans.
The recently released new singles ‘King in His Castle’ and ‘Don’t You Give Up’ crossed over from album to stage flawlessly. They held their own and much like their song mates, were delivered with passion, precision and pride from the guys who appeared to be genuinely happy to be playing new music to their fans.
At one point, they introduced themselves with brief stories and before long they were back to the music. After finishing their last song of the set, they walked off stage to a standing ovation. The audience knew they hadn’t played one of their most iconic hits yet, so the crowd knew what was coming as they walked back on stage. Bryan kicked off the song with ‘Highway to Hell’ and that mischievous laugh, before the all too familiar riff of ‘She Ain’t Pretty’, which had the crowd clapping and singing along. Even if you are not a Pikes fan (but how can you not be?), you still are familiar with it. It is consistently played on radio, in bars, shopping malls, everywhere you go really. It definitely stands the test of time. I always found it fun that they would break away from the song mid-way through to include a few verses of Aerosmith’s ‘Draw the Line’, followed by the audience sing-a-long favourite, Cheap Trick’s ‘I Want You to Want Me’, before returning to finish up their beloved hit.
The Planets Aligned and I Met Bryan Potvin.
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Once their set was done, I figured this was my time to try to get Bryan’s Cd signed. I nervously approached Bryan, clutching Heartbledwhite and a silver sharpie like a proud student showing off artwork. Now I have no shame in saying, I was nervous, so much so that, once he asked my name and shook my hand, I confessed “My heart skipped a beat”.
As I stood there slightly embarrassed, Bryan was a great sport and smiled his still boyish grin as he took the cd. But sadly, a poorly chosen sharpie almost crushed any chance of having an autograph from the Pike that I had wanted to meet for decades.
Fortunately, the cart driver had a pen and allowed me to use it. Once again, I approached Bryan, who by this time was sitting on the back of the cart with Kevin (who I sadly forgot to say hello to, as with the other guys who were standing near by). “Ok Bryan, let’s try this again” I said cheerfully, as I handed him the CD and pen.
Once he handed the disc back, I impulsively hugged him and told him that he had made my day, in fact he made my summer. I left with a checkmark on a bucket list, his signed CD, a photo with him and a memory that will last forever. Despite just walking off stage after playing a high energy 90-minute set, he was extremely friendly, patient and generous with his time.
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Bryan Potvin - Kitchener Bluesfest - Aug 10, 2019 ©kaoticnotes
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The Northern Pikes’ music has remained a staple on Canadian radio stations since their first single ‘Teenland’ in 1987. They have worked hard, played hard and in actuality paid their dues in order to reign as one of Canada's Best Bands. They continue to perform the music that they created for supportive audiences around the country.
Their discography is a collection of independent EPs, collaborative releases, live albums, studio albums and two compilation albums. In 2012, the Pikes were inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame. They were reunited with Merl and performed during the induction ceremony. Last June they were awarded the SOCAN Classic Award that commemorates 100,000 radio performances of ‘She Ain't Pretty’.
When the band has been on hiatus, each member has continued to make music and perform. They have released solo albums, performed across the country and continued to work within the music business. Regardless of the roads their journey takes them on, their paths eventually cross and to the excitement of fans, they are brought back together. Proving that the relationship bond that they as band members have, is strong and everlasting.
Their songs are timeless. Who would have thought that in 2019, we would still be listening to 'Teenland', 'Hopes Go Astray', 'She Ain't Pretty' and more? Their audiences have grown up with them, and now bring their children to see them. What does the future hold for The Northern Pikes? Here’s hoping more new music, well-deserved accolades and performances for their fans.
Their discography is a collection of independent EPs, collaborative releases, live albums, studio albums and two compilation albums. In 2012, the Pikes were inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame. They were reunited with Merl and performed during the induction ceremony. Last June they were awarded the SOCAN Classic Award that commemorates 100,000 radio performances of ‘She Ain't Pretty’.
When the band has been on hiatus, each member has continued to make music and perform. They have released solo albums, performed across the country and continued to work within the music business. Regardless of the roads their journey takes them on, their paths eventually cross and to the excitement of fans, they are brought back together. Proving that the relationship bond that they as band members have, is strong and everlasting.
Their songs are timeless. Who would have thought that in 2019, we would still be listening to 'Teenland', 'Hopes Go Astray', 'She Ain't Pretty' and more? Their audiences have grown up with them, and now bring their children to see them. What does the future hold for The Northern Pikes? Here’s hoping more new music, well-deserved accolades and performances for their fans.
Extra special thanks to Bryan, Jay, Don, Kevin and Merl for all the years of incredible music.
