The Gandharvas was a Canadian alternative rock band formed in 1989 in London, Ontario.
The Gandharvas | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Droogs The London Droogs |
| Origin | London, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1989–2000 |
| Labels | Watch Music MCA Avex DD |
| Members | Paul Jago Jud Ruhl Brian Ward Beau Cook Tim McDonald |
| Past members | Rob Blanchette Eric Howden |
History
editThe band formed in 1989 as The Droogs (later The London Droogs),[1] and released a self-titled EP in 1991. They changed their name to The Gandharvas in 1993, after Gandharvas, who are musical spirits in Hinduism.[2]
The band performed live shows in the London area, and in November 1993 signed with the label Watch Music.[3] In 1994 the group released their debut album as The Gandharvas, titled A Soap Bubble and Inertia.[4] The album included the single "The First Day of Spring", which was named Song of the Year (CASBY Award) by The Edge 102.1 in Toronto, and was nominated for MuchMusic's Video of the Year.[2] A Soap Bubble and Inertia entered the Canadian album charts at No. 51 in July 1994[5] and peaked at No. 39 on August 1, 1994.[6]
In 1995, they released their second album Kicking in the Water, and shortly after were signed by major label MCA Records. Their 1997 release, Sold for a Smile, included the singles "Downtime" and "Watching the Girl". All three albums were also released in Japan on the label Avex DD.
Though Sold for a Smile was a minor commercial success (with the "Downtime" video receiving substantial play at MuchMusic), the album would be the band's last, as the grunge/alternative movement of the 1990s faded in popularity. They would announce their breakup in 2000.
Following the break-up of the band, Beau Cook returned to his former band, Smoother. Vocalist Paul Jago became a geologist and moved to Arizona, later forming the band (duo with wife) SAID DOG.
Band members
edit- Final line-up
Former members
edit- Rob Blanchette – bass (1989–1993)
- Eric Howden – bass (1993–1996)
Discography
editThe Droogs
edit- The Droogs – 1991
Gandharvas
edit- A Soap Bubble and Inertia (1994) #39 RPM Canada
- Kicking in the Water (1995)
- Sold for a Smile (1997)
References
edit- ^ Fischer, Blair. "Into the Mainstream", Rolling Stone, June 11, 1998.
- ^ a b Wood, Scott. "Say It Right: The Gandharvas" Archived 2005-08-29 at the Wayback Machine, The Peak – Simon Fraser University's student newspaper, October 13, 1997.
- ^ "The Gandharvas". AllMusic Biography by Stephen Howell
- ^ Larry LeBlanc (4 February 1995). "Canada: Who's Who". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 80–. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ Top Albums/CDs - Volume 59, No. 26, July 18 1994
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 60, No. 2, August 01 1994". RPM. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
External links
edit- The Gandharvas on Myspace
- The Droogs at the CHRW-FM London Music Archives
- A Soap Bubble and Inertia at the CHRW-FM London Music Archives