Catpaw - diary of an angry cat

For days now I’ve been bedeviled by a name that has sat in the edges of my mind. I couldn’t remember the name of a band I loved, back when I managed an alternative rock radio station. I wracked my brain for the name and suddenly today while I was working on a report for a customer, up popped the name.

Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra!

An excellent band back in the ’80’s and early ’90’s Canadian Indie punk/rock scene. They were a blast to watch, and their songs were a fun and sarcastic mix of punk, rockabilly and whatever else struck their fancy. I played them a lot when I had a chance to dj.

Jerry Jerry has moved onto other things and doesn’t tour much. He’s married, 5 kids and said in an interview:

As you get older things start filling up your time so it becomes a bit harder to play regular shows.

LOL isn’t maturity a bugger! But this summer he reformed the Sons of Rhythm and is playing in his hometown of Edmonton. Oh how I wish I could be at one of those shows.

The band released 4 records

• Road Gore: The Band that Drank Too Much (1985)
• Battle Hymn of the Apartment (1987)
• Don’t Mind If I Do (1992)
• The Sound and the Jerry (1997)

My favourite was Battle Hymn of the Apartment. I must have played it until the grooves wore out. The sad thing is I can’t remember all the lyrics. Its now too late to find one of their cassettes or records - I lost mine one or 2 moves ago. It’s going to bug me until I remember the words. Drat.

Og Records, an indie label out of Montreal put out Jerry Jerry’s Road Gore album. Alas they have retired from the Canadian music scene - each of the original owners has retired and gone on to other careers. Once again, maturity can be a bugger.

I remember Og for another more memorable reason. They issued a local Hamilton Ontario record from a group called the Dik Van Dykes. They were a polyseter punk/humour band. Their specialty was polyester wear and a guitarist who played with 3 strings - don’t think he know how to use the other strings. Ah, I remember them well. Punking out at their concerts was great fun. I wonder where they are now. I still have their records - I’m even thanked on one of them. What an ego boost for doing nothing but playing their music. Although we did broadcast them live for a New Year’s eve bash. It was hilarious.

I just discovered one of the ex Diks has a myspace site, with the songs online! Hurry over to Dik Van Dykes

I just finished playing Curling. I had forgotten that song. I’m still rolling on the floor with laughter.
The entire Indie scene was vibrant and full of pushing the boundaries. Standing against corporate rock and having fun. Wouldn’t have missed it. But glad I’ve moved past it. Way too hard a lifestyle. I like quiet.

Thanks Og Records - where ever you are.

Stumble it!