It’s unusual for Canadian rock stars to try to get by solely on sales and gigs in this country alone. Those who really want to go for it head down to the States. There are far more people, and urban centres are both more plentiful and closer together. Granted, it’s possible to make a living as a full-time Canadian musician who rarely does promotion outside this country. You’d probably have to have side hustles, but it could be done.
This wasn’t always the case. Before 1971, it was impossible. That’s when the CRTC enacted MAPL regulations, commonly referred to as CanCon. MAPL stands for Music, Artist, Performance and Lyrics. In order to qualify as Canadian content, a song had to have at least two of these categories fulfilled by a Canadian — one if the song was done prior to Jan. 1, 1972. The rules required 25% of the music broadcast radio stations in this country to be Canadian. In the ’80s, this percentage increased to 30%, and these days most new commercial stations are required to play 40% Canadian content.
But before 1971, there were no such laws. And most stations besides the CBC were rather indifferent to homegrown acts. Thus, it’s quite likely the bulk of the “best Canadian records you’ve never heard” were made pre-1971. At least, the ones you’ve got the best excuse for having not heard. So, here then, are some fantastic Canadian rock albums from 1961 to 1971 which you should really seek out.
The Collectors
The Collectors (1967) | Grass and Wild Strawberries (1968)
This Vancouver psychedelic band subbed in for The Electric Prunes when they couldn’t play the music David Axelrod was hired to write for them. They made two albums during their early period, and they’re both great. The title track of the second one is awful, but there’s amazing deep cuts on it like Teletype Click. After these albums, The Collectors eventually morphed into Chilliwack. The debut features a 19-minute psychedelic suite.
The Plastic Cloud
The Plastic Cloud (1968)
If you happen to find a copy of the Pickering, Ont. psychedelic pop group’s debut album on Allied Records, grab it. Even if you don’t like it, you can probably sell it for $1k if it’s in nice shape. Chances are, however, you will like it. The good news is, it’s also on Spotify and there are plenty of reissues for far more reasonable prices. If these dudes had lived in San Francisco, they would have been fine, but there wasn’t much of a market for this music outside of Haight-Ashbury — let alone Bay Ridges.
The Northwest Company
Eight Hour Day (2021 compilation)
This Maple Ridge, B.C. (specifically, Haney) garage band never really made an LP, thus the inclusion of a compilation of their singles and B-sides from 1967 to 1973. The band must hold a record (no pun intended) for having the most record labels of any band who never released an album — Grenadier Records, Apex Records, London Records, Coast Records and Stamp Records. If you dig power pop with overdriven guitars and lots of power chords, this is your jam.
Nihilist Spasm Band
No Record (1968)
If you want to hear one of Sonic Youth‘s lesser musical influences, go hunting for the full-length debut of this London, Ont., noise band. They put out a single in 1967, this, and then nothing until 1979. There’s a documentary about the band called What About Me, if you’d prefer to try before you buy. But be warned: this group incorporates homemade instruments, and they play detuned from each other, in different time signatures. If you can dance along, seek help.
The Paupers
Magic People (1967)
This Toronto psychedelic rock featured Skip Prokop before he started Lighthouse in 1969. They were quite poppy, but had good songwriting and all the flairs and effects of the era. If you dig The Monkees, Electric Prunes or The Doors, you’ll probably be into this. Magic People was their only LP.
The Perth County Conspiracy
The Perth County Conspiracy (1970)
Hailing from the hometown of both Justin Bieber and Richard Manuel, Stratford, Ontario’s The Perth County Conspiracy are a less-annoying version of The Incredible String Band. Slightly psychedelic folk music. This is the group’s sophomore release, and their second of 1970. The group became a sort-of collective in the 1970s and put out albums until 1977. They never had a hit, of course.
Steel River
Weighing Heavy (1970)
The Toronto R&B group came together in 1969 and broke up in 1974. There were a few reunions, but this is the main era of the outfit, which at times is reminiscent of Canned Heat or Eric Burdon. Their 1970 debut is solid, and the pre-album single Ten Pound Note was actually a hit in Canada. Weighing Heavy was remixed and reissued in 2014. Grab that one.
John Kay & The Sparrow
John Kay & the Sparrow (1969)
Recorded in 1967, this self-titled LP by John Kay & The Sparrow is kind of the missing link between the Toronto music scene of the mid-’60s and the start of heavy rock. The band started in Oshawa with a British expat Dave Marden as its leader. Marden went by the stage name Jack London, so the band was Jack London & The Sparrow. In 1965, John Kay — later of Steppenwolf — became the lead singer. Early versions of The Sparrow also featured bass player Bruce Palmer, who would go on to be a founding member of Buffalo Springfield. Brothers Dennis and Jerry Edmonton (born McCrohan) were founding members of the band. Dennis was a guitarist/vocalist and Jerry played drums. Later, Dennis changed his name to Mars Bonfire. Dennis wrote Born To be Wild. It’s this pre-Steppenwolf version of The Sparrow that made this record — a buzzy, blues-rock gem.
The Ugly Ducklings
Thump & Twang (1968)
This Toronto garage/proto-punk band started in the mid-’60s making music in the vein of The Who and The Kinks, but found their own sound a year later and started putting out a bunch of killer 7″ singles. Thump & Twang is a compilation of their 1967-’68 material. It’s awesome.
The Haunted
The Haunted (1967)
The original pressing of this Trans-World Records release is worth some serious coin, but there are some very nice reissues to be had. This Montreal garage rock band is fabulous — not just this, their only proper album, but later tracks like their French-language cover of Purple Haze (Vapeur Mauve) — “pardon, que j’embrasse le ciel!” The opening track 1-2-5 is a bonafide classic, but the ballad Untie Me is a wonderful hidden gem — not to mention their cover of Love’s Message To Pretty is as good as the original.
Warpig
Warpig (1972)
Hard rock from Woodstock, Ont., in a similar vein to pre-Ian Gillan Deep Purple. The original indie release on Fonthill will set you back a grand. According to Discogs, 80 users have it and nearly 800 want it. The track Rock Star is amazing. The album was re-released in 1973 on London Records and again in 2009 on Kreation Records. This is the pressing you can manage, around $40. It’s so worth it. If you prefer, they’re on Spotify, too.
Les Hou-Lops
Voici Les Têtes Blanches (1964)
St-Hyacinthe/Sherbrooke group who were incredibly proficient at sounding like early Beach Boys and The Ventures. Band bleached their hair and tried to change their name to Les Têtes Blanches (The White Heads) but were blocked by fellow Quebec band Les Classels, who had already established this image. Les Hou-Lops were popular enough in France that in 1966 they opened for The Rolling Stones in Paris. Band broke up in 1969. Their lead singer Gilles Rousseau, 27, died following cirrhosis of the liver caused by acute hepatitis. The 1964 album is really, really good — especially the lead guitar playing by Yvan Côté.
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Area Resident is an Ottawa-based journalist, recording artist, music collector and re-seller. Hear (and buy) his music on Bandcamp, email him HERE, follow him on Instagram and check him out on Discogs.
