New Regime (Canadian band)

New Regime was a Canadian new wave band, active from 1982 to 1987.[1] They released two albums on RCA Records during their lifetime, and toured as an opening act for Platinum Blonde in 1985.[2]

New Regime
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresNew wave
Years active1982 (1982)–1987 (1987)
LabelsRCA
Past members
  • Kevin Connelly
  • Norm McMullen
  • Russell Walker
  • Jim MacDonald
  • Rick Lintlop
  • Rob Laidlaw
  • Jon James
  • Neil Taylor
  • Les Stroud

Background

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The band was initially formed by vocalist Kevin Connelly, drummer Neil Taylor, and bassist Jon James who were high school friends. along with guitarist Bill Telep.[3] Telep soon left the band, and was replaced by Les Stroud at the same time as keyboardist Tim Durnford joined; both Stroud and Durford had previously been collaborators with Connelly in a short-lived David Bowie tribute band, The Diamond Dogs.[3] They along with James later left due to creative differences, and the band added bassist Rick Lintlop, guitarist Norm McMullen, and keyboardist Russell Walker.[1]

Career

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Signed to RCA in 1984,[4] they released their self-titled debut album in 1985.[5] The album spawned the radio singles "Seduction", "Love in Motion", "Fools Cry" and "Treasure". "Seduction" peaked at #80 in the RPM singles chart the week of August 20, 1985,[6] while none of the other singles charted. The album was also modestly successful on the Canadian charts, peaking at #87 in the RPM100 albums chart in the week of July 20, 1985.[7] Producer Terry Brown was nominated for Producer of the Year at the Juno Awards of 1985 for his work on the album.[8]

On December 31, 1985, the band played a New Year's Eve show at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, as the opening act on a bill that also included Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Thompson Twins.[9]

Walker and Lintlop were subsequently replaced by keyboardist Jim McDonald, formerly of Rational Youth, and bassist Rob Laidlaw.[3] This lineup completed and toured behind the band's 1987 album The Race, which added some hard rock elements to the band's sound and was produced by Steve Webster.[10] The album's lead single "Love and Satisfaction" also charted in RPM, peaking at #67 in the week of October 10, 1987.[11]

The band provided the soundtrack to Season 4 Episode 4 (Roots and Wings) of the Canadian TV series Danger Bay while also appearing in concert footage playing a fictional band called "Love Puppies" that the main characters go to see. The episode first aired on October 28, 1987.[12]

The band broke up following The Race.[3] Connelly reemerged in the 1990s with the solo album Son of the Sun[13] before mounting a touring David Bowie tribute show titled "Life On Mars: The Sound and Vision of David Bowie" in the 2000s.[14]

Discography

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  • New Regime (1985)
  • The Race (1987)

References

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  1. ^ a b "New Regime is facing familiar pop challenge". The Globe and Mail, June 26, 1985.
  2. ^ "Kingston fans snapping up tickets for Platinum Blonde". Kingston Whig-Standard, October 8, 1985.
  3. ^ a b c d New Regime[usurped]. canoe.ca.
  4. ^ "New Regime band performs at Stages". Kingston Whig-Standard, August 18, 1987.
  5. ^ "New Regime: New Regime". Kingston Whig-Standard, June 29, 1985.
  6. ^ "RPM100 Singles" RPM, August 20, 1985.
  7. ^ RPM100 Albums. RPM100, July 20, 1985.
  8. ^ "Jazz, classical records up for Junos". The Globe and Mail, September 28, 1985.
  9. ^ "Synth-pop thrills untroubled youth". The Globe and Mail, January 1, 1986.
  10. ^ "The Race: New Regime". Toronto Star, August 28, 1987.
  11. ^ "RPM100 Singles". RPM, October 10, 1987.
  12. ^ ""Danger Bay" Roots and Wings (TV Episode 1987) - IMDb". IMDb.
  13. ^ "Kevin Connelly/Son Of The Sun". Hamilton Spectator, August 22, 1996.
  14. ^ "Going under the surface". The Lindsay Post, April 28, 2006.