LOU'S FRIEND'S FRIENDS......AUDIENCE

Hey Hamilton....

When I was a high school student, my parents had a rental property in Oshawa.  During one particular clean up (after these crazy tenants finally left), I managed to look through a bunch of stuff that my dad would label as "garbage". I remember that this particular tenant had Zeppelin posters on the wall, and a shag carpet that had tons of burn marks thru it.  While my dad was upset to get rid of the rich red shag, I related to the environment quite well......hahahahahaha

I found a box of records in this pad, and did not recognize many of the titles or bands.  Van Der Graaf Generator, Kayak, Spooky Tooth, Quiet Sun, Nucleus, and Audience records were amongst this box of vinyl that were completely novel to yours truly.  I also remember Zeppelin, Sabbath, Deep Purple, Hawkwind, and ELP records in this crate.  So, while I took the 30 or so records that were left behind, I found myself listening to bands that were completely new in style and genre.

Audience stood out as an immediate head scratcher because they had such a rich artistic sound accompanied with terrific melodies and spectacular musicianship.  I warmed up to the record A FRIEND'S FRIEND'S FRIEND.  The record was certainly not like anything that I was buying at the time.  I was buying Heartbreakers and Iggy Pop records, so Audience was far removed from what I was digging.  However, the more I heard this record, the more I started hearing Bowie, Roxy Music, Genesis, and even Zeppelin in Audience.  Then I realized that Audience came first!!!!

A few years later I found a copy of HOUSE ON THE HILL at Vortex records in Toronto.  During those few years, I learned a little more about Audience, and I was told that HOTH was the record to get.  I loved the record, and again I felt that guys like Bowie, Eno or Ferry must have been fans of Audience.

Here is a bit of their history...

Formed in 69, they released their debut on Polydor records.

Later on they would release HOTH and FRIEND'S and LUNCH on Charisma.   A rep from Charisma saw Audience open up for Zeppelin, and immediately got the ball rolling.

However, after their 4th release, the band would take a 32 year hiatus.  Bizarre???  You bet!!!  Audience were the proto-type Art Rock Band that set a foundation for acts like Genesis to stand proud on.

Howard Werth released a handful of solo records, and later would go to LA and meet couple of musicians who had a passion for punk and folk music.  This duo would eventually start band called X.  John Doe and Exene Cervenka asked Howard Werth to do some studio work before Ray Manzarek would eventually get his paws on this brilliant 4 piece band.

Speaking of Ray Manzarek, Howard Werth was invited to audition for the Doors once Morrison passed away.  Werth felt that no one could do the band justice sans Jim, so he declined the offer.

During the hiatus, Keith Gemmell, would work in a band called Sammy, who had Ian Gillan producing their music.  Later Keith joined piano player extraordinaire, Roy Young.

In 2005, Audience reformed and released a live record that covered some of their stellar tunes.  This live record put a breath of fresh air back into many fans who had been stuck in the closet along with their vinyl records.  Never the less, when they came to visit Canada in support of the live record, Audience was overwhelmed with the positive response.  Canada has always been a strong market for Prog related music, and their appreciation for Audience was another example of tremendous music support.

Not too long ago, I was listening to an Audience song called Maiden's Cry, and I immediately thought of Stairway to Heaven.  I played Maiden's Cry and asked Buckshot if she heard the Stairway to Heaven riff, and she agreed.  Then I realized that the Audience song came first.  Possibly that Zeppelin/Audience tour proved to be more beneficial to Zeppelin than what we thought.

In any event, I later would go to the Audience website and notice that the band makes mention of this as well.  Interesting.

Well....

I had the pleasure of hosting an Audience show at the Legendary Corktown a few years ago, and it is my pleasure to announce to you that Audience will be returning to Club Absinthe on Tuesday August 14th.  Opening support is long time fan, Paul Riemens.

Tix are available at Cheapies and Club Absinthe.

For more information about the show, please email me at ninetyninthfloor99@rogers.com

Your FRIEND,

Lou Molinaro