The current lineup of 'Rheostatics'
While working on some blog posts recently there has been a sort of personal sadness about an upcoming event that has been niggling in the back of my skull.
As I type or link about the various forms of psychopathic degeneration and tremendous beauty happening now on this Earth, I will take a moment to mention the end of one of my favourite treasured distractions over these past few decades.
There are few bands whose careers I have followed from their beginnings to their possible ends.
The Rheostatics are one of those few and I could say, without reservation, they are my favourite Canadian band, (with a few close seconds).
I received word in a newsletter mailing from their Indy label “Six Shooter Records” last month and somehow hoped it was some sort of ill conceived publicity stunt to sell more tickets for what it turns out will be their final show at Toronto’s Massey Hall.
From the Six Shooter Newsletter:
"For the last 21 years, Rheostatics' songwriting frontline of Dave Bidini, Martin Tielli, Tim Vesely and, more currently, drummer/producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda, have helped spark and shepherd contemporary CanRock from a self-conscious sound-alike scene into a spirited universal force, leaving classic albums like Melville, Whale Music, Music Inspired by the Group of Seven, Story of Harmelodia and 2067 in their sonic wake.
"After much consternation, it has been resolved that the group's March 30th, 2007 date at Massey Hall will be the last live performance for the group as they have existed for the last two-plus decades.
"The Rheostatics may continue to persevere in one form or another in the future, but not with their current lineup intact. For fans of the group, it will be the last chance to see this band as they've appeared heretofore; one final evening with Canada's most beloved, long-standing rock band."
When the announcement was posted on their official website I realized that my futile hope of an unlikely, (and wholly uncharacteristic) promotional stunt was wishful thinking and this band that has been tweaking my Canuck beak since 1987 was calling it quits, (at least with their current lineup, one can still grasp to the faint hope of some sort of “Rheostatics 2.0“).
The video for the haunting 'Stolen Car', one of my favourite Rheostatics tunes.
I suppose that it is probably a logical progression for this quartet of legendary, eternally- indy Canadian prog-rockers considering that Dave Bidini has long since embarked on a career as an author and documentary filmmaker, Martin Tielli has gone on to release a staggeringly diverse collection of solo albums, Tim Vesely has recently embarked on a different path with his promising new band, The Violet Archers and current drummer/producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda has always been resplendent with multiple projects including his experimental electronica undertaking, “Faceless Forces of Bigness”.
Although I have seen these fellows in countless smoky bar gigs, (back when freedom of choice reigned in this formerly free country), sat and chatted with some of them and like a true geek fan got albums signed and made devotional offerings of stanky doobs, I still hoped for yet more musical delights from them.
The beautifully strange video for “The Tarleks” from what will end up being their final album “2067”.
Frank Bonner of “WKRP in Cincinnati” fame revises his role as “Herb Tarlek” or more literally an army of “Tarleks” alighting from invading UFOs.
More Rheostatics videos on "You Tube"
There are few things in this era of grand deception and true horror that can make my jaded soul feel less able to stand the waves of senseless death and declining virtue caused by the bigoted and regressive neo-conservatism currently gripping this once hopeful nation.
I am afraid that the end of the “Rheostatics era” really has taken some wind out of my already tattered sails.
I realize that might sound pathetic but few musical acts have been so ever-present for each stage of the soundtrack to my pitiful existence.
I’ve got my tickets for their final gig at Massey Hall next March 30, 2007 and I look forward to one final aural assault of good natured, surrealistic mayhem regrettably tinged with a bittersweet touch of reflective melancholy.
Now the five month wait for that show creeps onward.
Imagining the day after that show and the end of this excellent band causes me to recall the lyrics of the first song I ever heard by Rheostatics setting me off on a lifetime of weird Can-Rock love.
Ditch Pigs
by Martin Tielli/Rheostatics
Called you, you were not at home, no.
And I know that it's nothing but...
You've been gone for so long
And I know that it's nothing but...
I try to stay together, but I...
Try to figure whether, but I...
You were on the telephone
When they were pulling me out of the ditch.
You were gone.
Knocked your door, there was no answer,
So I left; I went away.
You were gone, you weren't home now,
So I left your bell alone.
You were so gone.
You were gone.
Ditch pigs.
Called you for naked answers,
Bus stops and useless transfers.
You live far, so far demand.
I put the ticket in the garbage can.
I don't know nothing, I guess I'm broke.
You were on the telephone
When they were pulling me out of the ditch.
You were gone.
You were so gone.
You are so gone.
