0dayrox

Melodic Rock, AOR, Hard Rock, Prog, Classic Rock news

Category: ORPHAN

DEAD BEAT HONEYMOONERS / ORPHAN / THE PUMPS

DEAD BEAT HONEYMOONERS (ex- Orphan) – Dead Beat Honeymooners (1992) *HQ*

After the recent posts of Canadian rockers The Pumps / Orphan, here’s the sole album from the short-lived band DEAD BEAT HONEYMOONERS, formed by singer Chris Burke-Gaffney and drummer Terry Norman Taylor after Orphan dissolved. With Toronto based guitarist Barry G. Player and Blair Depape on bass, they began playing the clubs throughout mid-western Canada at the begining of the Nineties. Rush’s label Anthem Records soon signed the DEAD BEAT HONEYMOONERS for a self-titled debut, released in 1992.
Time’s changed since the Orphan years, and Burke-Gaffney & co. not only let their hair grow, also the musical approach for DEAD BEAT HONEYMOONERS was obviously the melodic hard rock in vogue in North America in 1990.
With a polished production by Tom Treumuth (Honeymoon Suite, Helix), the self-titled “Dead Beat Honeymooners” is a typical recording from the North America 1990-1992 rock; melodic riffs, soaring choruses / harmony vocals and big drums. The disc sounds quite American, still retaining the Canuck touch. Burke-Gaffney vocals are the driving force, but we need to remark Barry Player’s tuneful, dazzling guitar work, unleashing some awesome solos as well.
There’s very effective, motorin’ melodic hard rockers where Damn Yankees, Night Ranger, Hardline, Shaw/Blades and alike come to mind, like my favorite “Dial L.O.V.E” (also single and video), the kickin’ “Mystery”, the rocking “Temptation” (with some Aerosmith on it), the tongue-in-cheek “Hard To Be Humble”, “Blind Faith” and the very fun vocal/guitar interplay in “Money, Money, Money”…

ORPHAN / REMASTER / THE PUMPS

THE PUMPS (pre-Orphan) – Gotta Move [40th Anniversary CD edition remastered +4] HQ *Exclusive*

A couple days ago 0dayrox featured the first two albums by Canadian rockers ORPHAN, a band formed from the ashes of THE PUMPS. Now we have in exclusive “Gotta Move”, the only album released by THE PUMPS, in its 40th Anniversary remastered reissue including bonus tracks.
This is the CD version, with an extra track – a limited pressing now sold out / out of print. ”Gotta Move [40th Anniversary CD edition remastered +4]” was released on CD via Vatikan Records, a Canadian independent record label associated with Chris Burke-Gaffney, founder & singer/bassist for The Pumps and Orphan.
THE PUMPS formed in early 1978 and centred around friends Chris Burke-Gaffney on vocals and bass, lead guitarist Lou Petrovitch, and drummer Terry Norman Taylor. Playing in front of whatever local audience they could find, they quickly developed a following because of their live shows, full of energy and superb musicianship.
With famed British producers Phil Chapman and Jon Astley behind the board, “Gotta Move” was in the stores by March 1980. Over the next six months, three singles found their way to FM radio’s playlists across the country, “Success,” “Bust The TV” (a shot at mindless programs, many of which are considered pop culture icons like “Charlie’s Angels” and “Dukes of Hazzard), and the commercial “Coffee With The Queen.”
The album blossomed with some of the freshest sounds of the time. MAPL 100% Canadian Content (CanCon), “Gotta Move” is a lovely, very early ’80s slice of Maple Leaf fun and well crafted radio-friendly rock. All songs are catchy and easy to the ear, very well produced…

ORPHAN / REMASTER / REMASTER ROCK CANDY / THE PUMPS

ORPHAN – Lonely At Night [Rock Candy remastered & reloaded] HQ *Exclusive*

Formed in Winnipeg from the ashes of a band called The Pumps (who had links to obscure RCA act Max Damian), ORPHAN quickly signed to the Portrait label, an offshoot of CBS records, who were bathing in the recent and unexpected success of fellow Canadian group Loverboy.
The first ORPHAN album “Lonely At Night” appeared 1983, and this Rock Candy Records specialists ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ version is wonderfully done.
With the record label deeming their name to be too new wave leaning, they switched to ORPHAN, according to record executives ‘a more conventional and less restrictive moniker‘(?).
This pompy, keyboard filled radio-friendly beauty was recorded at the famous Power Station studios in New York. Co-produced by its owner Tony Bongiovi (cousin of Jon Bon Jovi) and Lance Quinn (Bon Jovi, Danger Danger), the album hits the radio-friendly new wave melodic hard rock nail firmly on the head.
As one of the best Canadian albums of the era, the record embraces all the great elements that make for compelling listening; great hooks, unrelenting melody and musical ability that takes full advantage of clever arrangements.
Catchy, plenty of harmony vocals and contagious choruses, “Lonely At Night” is a must for fans of the genre. It’s a similar, but not identical, sound to both Loverboy and Aldo Nova…

ORPHAN / REMASTER / REMASTER ROCK CANDY / THE PUMPS

ORPHAN – Salute ’85 [Rock Candy Remastered & Reloaded] HQ *Exclusive*

Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, ORPHAN was formed in 1982 from the ashes of the band The Pumps. After a locally successful debut LP, ORPHAN recorded their second album “Salute” with Englishman Phil Chapman (Eric Clapton, Corey Hart) & Jon Astley behind the desk. According to times – 1984-1985 – musically the band turned more mid-Eighties AOR-pumped oriented, extremely melodious and with a radio friendly Hi-tech touch.
This Rock Candy Records ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ treatment brings the best from the record, obtaining a crisp sound quality. Awesome numbers such as the ecstatic “Woman In Love” and the fighting “Stand Up” (Refugee comes to mind) are staples of the pure AOR-Rock we all love.
“Old Enough To Know” is another instant favorite, just listen these quick guitars and huge processed drums.
The melodic rock perfection of “Lyin’ To Me” combines a sultry refrain with a bombastic chorus, “Steel & Iron” is heavily guitar oriented, while the more poppy “Crazy For The Night” and “A Little Heart & Soul” adds sensibility to a very well balanced recording.
The record oozes quality and class. Blessed with a polished sheen and a rich tapestry of songs the sound is highly reminiscent of equally impressive Canadian acts such as Red Rider, Honeymoon Suite and Streetheart…