Young Canadians

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Young Canadians
Origin Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Years active 19791980
Genres Punk, New Wave
Labels Quintessence Records
Members Art Bergmann
Jim Bescott
Barry Taylor

Young Canadians (originally The K-Tels) were a Vancouver punk rock band active for just under two years. The YC's were influenced not only by the other punk bands in town at that time such as D.O.A. and the Pointed Sticks, but also by the Dolls, Stooges, and 60s garage rock. Although the band only recorded two EPs and a 7" single before breaking up, their single "Hawaii" is one of the classic Canadian punk anthems.

Historically significant (at least to the Vancouver scene) The K-Tels were the first punk band to play the Smilin' Buddha. They also supported the Boomtown Rats on a tour across Canada.

Just before the release of Hawaii, they were forced to changed their name when threatened with legal action by the K-Tel corporation.

The band's leader and songwriter was Art Bergmann, who went on to become one of the key figures in Canadian alternative rock in the 1980s and 1990s.

Founding member and bassist, Jim Bescott, died in an accident in Vancouver on August 31, 2005 at the age of 52.

Their two EPs and single, plus unreleased live tracks, were re-released in 1995 on the album No Escape (with excellent liner notes written by Buck Cherry). A live 1980 concert at Mabuhay Gardens was released in 2001.

[edit] Discography

  • Hawaii 4-song 12" EP
  • Automan 3-song 7" single (available only as a bonus single inside the first pressing of Hawaii EP)
  • This Is Your Life 4-song 12" EP (produced by the legendary Bob Rock)
  • No Escape (CD compilation of studio and live tracks)
  • Joyride on the Western Front' (live concert recording from 1980)

[edit] External links