|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Canadian Classic Rock
Honeymoon Suite
|
|
Formed in Niagara Falls in 1982 by singer Johnny Dee, guitarist Derry Grehan, Ray Coburn on keyboards, drummer Dave Betts and Brian Brackstone on bass, Honeymoon Suite is one of those bands you really should say lots of nice things about, but you wonder why. Though they were very listener-friendly, they were destined to be a flash in the pan ... and you knew it. Incidentally, if you were a headbanger like I was when their self-titled debut came out in '84, you probably didn't like them much at all, but appreciate them now for the well-written pop songs. Produced by Tom Treumuth and backed by the smash single "New Girl Now", it was THE album of the year. Also joining the gold club were "Wave Babies", "Stay In The Light", and "Burning In Love". Instant house-hold names across the country, they received a Juno for best new group and found themselves backing up the likes of Loverboy and Heart while touring the four corners. They hit the Hollywood studios in the fall of '85 and came out with great massages but exhausted, broke and looking for cigarettes. Then they recorded THE BIG PRIZE . With Bruce Fairbairn behind the controls, the record took on a slightly heavier tone than its predecessor. Backed by Grehan's fiery licks laced with keyboards and a solid backbeat which included new bassist Gary Lalonde, it was soon stamped gold riding the singles "Bad Attitude" and "Feel It Again". Also noteable on the record was "All Along You Knew", which featured Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull on the flute. Their second straight world tour was under way. The group found time to record "Lethal Weapon" in 1987, which appeared on the Glover/Gibson flick called .... I'll take stupid questions for 100 Alex ... (he's Canadian by the way!) RACING AFTER MIDNIGHT hit the stores in time for the '88 spring record-rush and cashed in with four more hit singles. Behind the controls was Ted Templeman, known most notably for his work with Van Halen. "Love Changes Everything" showed a slightly heavier side to their generally toned down sound, It was soon followed up by "It's Over Now" and then "Looking Out For Number One". WEA released a greatest hits package called THE SINGLES in '89 and featured two new studio tracks, commonly referred to as cheezy marketing ploys. "Still Lovin You" and "Long Way" weren't awful by any means ... just nothing thrilling, that's all. Conflicts with management resulted in the band being without a contract and that is still the unfortunate case today. MONSTERS UNDER THE BED marked their return in '91. Featuring a partially revamped lineup, it failed to make a dent in the charts and quickly became a rarity in the stores. Again the group faded off until releasing a live album in Europe called 13 LIVE, and captures them in all their live magnetism. Though they still tour and put on a fine show, full of lights and bar-room brawls, Honeymoon Suite was destined to fail. Typecast in a heavy teenybopper role, they followed in the footsteps of groups like Loverboy. Pegged for a short run at the top, they had a limited audience and they knew it. They were listenable and were able to showcase their talents to some degree. It may have been a short run, but make no mistake about it ... they did reach the top. Written by Dan Brisebois of |
Discography
|
New Girl Now |
Bad Attitude |
Lookin Out For Number One |
|
New Girl Now |
Say You Dont Know Me |
Say You Don't Know |
