I found this list when I was rooting through some of my old articles. It originally appeared on Giraffecycle in December of 1999. Enjoy!
This is my list of what I consider to be the most influential local music of the 1990's. This is, of course, open to debate, which I encourage. If any of you out there in cyberland want to add your own top 5-10 to the Giraffecycle, I encourage you to do so. Please submit them to CTeed@hotmail.com, and we will post them somewhere.
Hemlock - Self Titled EP - 1991 This two song EP introduced many people to the wild and crazy world of Saint John indie rock. At well over five minutes each, "The Fathoms of Exhordium" and "Blinded Vision" were not exactly radio fodder, but did provide inspiration to countless Saint John musicians, many of whom shunned more conventional styles of music in favor of creating their own original sounds. The Ep also introduced musicians and listeners to the production work of local legend Rob Lavinge.
NFA - Pedestrian - 1993 When Sloan exploded and music industry giants invaded the East Coast, many people expected NFA to be a major label conquest. They did not get signed during that period, but "Pedestrian" puts most of the stuff that was coming out of the East Coast at the time to shame. Songs such as "And Then the Whitecoats" and "696-1113" are some of the greatest songs the world has never heard. NFA's shining moment.
Various Artists - No In City Venue - 1993 The first compilation of Saint John bands feature some the areas best bands of the decade; NFA, No More, Scapegoats, Dead Corps, Here, NYD (then CheezWizz), Stay, The Gherkins etc. etc. all graced this album. It provided listeners and fans a sampler of the various underground sounds of the city and provided inspiration for the "Saint John's Finest" compilation. A true local classic.
amused - Self Titled - 1997 The superior packaging and sound quality of amused's first album raised the bar for the entire Saint John underground scene. It also introduced a new wave of sound to the area, and continues to inspire a whole new wave of young Saint John musicians. Songs such as "Code of Silence" and "Better Reasons" sound just as fresh as any of their million selling counterparts.
Happy Medium - Happy Hour Ep - 1999 This five piece put the "Rawk" back into the Saint John underground scene, and their 5 song Ep proves it. With its layered, intelligent, and surprisingly mature sound, Happy Hour has earned Happy Medium the respect of bands and fans of all genres in the Saint John area and abroad, and reopened the doors for rock musicians in the Saint John underground scene.
Honourable Mention:
Brent Mason - Head for the Highground - 1991 Local folk icon's first release was the first CD ever released by a local artist.
Rooster Soup - Self Titled Ep - 1992 With songs such as "We Got a War" and "Opium Dream," the Ep still sticks in my head to this day.
Dead Corps - Remain - 1996 Hampton hardcore at its finest. "Remain" includes three of their best songs; "Tank Girl", a cover of the "Spider Man" theme song and "Kang KooRee".
NFA - 16 Bits/44.1 Khz - 1998 This album showed the locals that you could do a home job CD just as easy as a home job tape. A quasi-greatest hits package, it includes classics such as "Godhead Scare Tactics" and "Puppet Show".
The Heard - Thriving - 1998 A deadly little pop album full of gems, "Thriving" includes almost twenty different local musicians. Excellent performances include "Writing You Tonight" and "Fool's Day Revolution".
Upcoming SJ shows:
Wednesday, Sep 15:
Jon and Roy @ Peppers Pub, 11:00pm, $6, 19+
Friday, Sep 17:
Wooden Wives, Hospital Grade, Union of the Snake (HFX) @ Sun Star Lounge, 10:00pm, $5, 19+