L'Étranger (band)

L'Étranger (The Stranger or The Outsider) was a Canadian punk rock band formed in 1980 in Toronto.^[1] Named for the novel L'Étranger by Albert Camus,^[2] the band played a politically minded brand of punk music that drew on both Clash influences and the band members' social justice-oriented Roman Catholic faith.^[1] The band was best known for their anti-apartheid single "One People", one of the first independent videos ever to gain airplay on the then-new MuchMusic.^[3]

The band originally consisted of Andrew Cash, Charlie Angus and Peter Duffin.^[3] That lineup released one EP, Innocent Hands in 1982. Bruce Meikle aka "Bruce P.M." was added to the line-up in time for the second EP, 1984's for Running Out of Funtown.

Subsequently, Angus left the band to form Grievous Angels,^[1] and was replaced by Tim Vesely for the band's final EP, Sticks and Stones in 1986.^[3] Angus is still mentioned in the EP liner notes as a group member, although it is acknowledged in those same notes that he did not participate in the EP's actual recording.

Following the band's breakup, Cash began performing as a solo artist.^[1] His first solo release was a reissue of Sticks and Stones.^[3] He went on to record several albums as a solo singer-songwriter and as a member of The Cash Brothers,^[3] and also worked as a freelance journalist. Duffin later co-founded the acoustic pop band Barnhouse Static with Canadian songwriter Kathy Evans.

As of 2011, Angus and Cash are both in politics, sitting in the Canadian House of Commons as members of the New Democratic Party caucus.^[1]

Discography

• 1982: Innocent Hands EP
• 1983: Running Out of Funtown EP
• 1986: Sticks and Stones

References