Four decades after splitting up, the band is back together.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 the case with Campbell River based Big Rock, who reformed to create an album entitled B次元官网网址楢fter All this TimeB次元官网网址�. It is a commemorative project in honour of their front man, Hugh McGregor, who passed away in his sleep back in 2014.
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The band was formed in the early 1980s.
B次元官网网址淚t was a great time,B次元官网网址� said bassist Dave Davendisch about growing up in Campbell River. He currently resides in Comox. B次元官网网址淲e were all listening to bands like Rush and Saga. When Hugh came along, he exposed us to band weB次元官网网址檇 never heard of. Progressive bands like King Crimson and Bob Marley and this sound weB次元官网网址檇 never heard before. We were just like B次元官网网址榳ow!B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Big Rock travelled from the Rivercity to Vancouver in 1984, just after their high school graduation. Davendisch says it was there they recorded a demo tape in 1985. With high expectations, it seemed that musical stardom was within their grasp.
B次元官网网址淲e had toured around Campbell River and had a bunch of original songs we had done,B次元官网网址� Davendisch recalls. B次元官网网址淭hose guys had moved to Vancouver a little bit before I had. We were ready to take on Vancouver when I got there.B次元官网网址�
Unfortunately, Davendisch says music execs didnB次元官网网址檛 agree. After being sent up to Northern Alberta for what he describes as a B次元官网网址榣ong time,B次元官网网址� the band went their separate ways. Music certainly was still at the forefront though: drummer Clayton Hill went on to become the drummer in the rock band Trooper, guitarist Steve Hillis toured, and Davendisch went on to tour with bands who opened for musicians such as Kid Rock, currently playing with a duo called Easy Street .
B次元官网网址淭he thing is when that music bug is in your system it never leaves you,B次元官网网址� said Davendisch. B次元官网网址淚 toured with Kid Rock. I played in stadiums.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 interesting that, in a way, DavendischB次元官网网址檚 musical career has come full circle. Using the old 1985 demo tape and modern recording technology, Big Rock was able to re-form and edit the vocals to re-record what would become After All this time. Proceeds for the album will go toward Lookout SocietyB次元官网网址檚 Russell Housing Centre, a low income area in New Westminster where McGregor was living.
B次元官网网址淭he tape just kind of laid dormant,B次元官网网址� said Davendisch. B次元官网网址淚t got shuffled around, drinks spilled on it. I had recorded so much since then, I have a recording studio in Comox. Clayton said to me one day B次元官网网址榳e should re-record the Big Rock stuff,B次元官网网址� and I said B次元官网网址榯hatB次元官网网址檚 a great idea.B次元官网网址� The challenge was to only rip HughB次元官网网址檚 vocals and nothing else. To put them on time with the music we were playing. You had to time stretch it, then compress it so it goes with the music.B次元官网网址�
Not only is the album available on Apple music, but they are planning a physical copy as well. It will be made available on Easy Street DuoB次元官网网址檚 website.
B次元官网网址淚t looks like an old cassette,B次元官网网址� said Davendisch. B次元官网网址淏ut it has a USB key on it. You put the key into a computer and thereB次元官网网址檚 pictures and stuff. We understand that people nowadays donB次元官网网址檛 have CDs anymore, and we wanted people to have a physical copy. So itB次元官网网址檚 a very limited edition.B次元官网网址�
Edward Hitchins
edward.hitchins@campbellrivermirror.com
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