Infidels (band)
Encyclopedia
Infidels were a Canadian
funk
-rock
band in the 1990s.
The band formed in 1990 when Molly Johnson
reunited with Norman Orenstein
, her partner in the short-lived 1980s band Alta Moda
. They added Washington Savage, Jeff Jones and Owen Tennyson to the lineup, and released a self-titled album in 1991 on IRS Records. It spawned two hit singles, the rock radio hit "100 Watt Bulb" and the pop smash "Celebrate".
Following the album's tour, the band took a break as Johnson established the Kumbaya Festival
.
They recorded another album in 1995, but were faced with label difficulties. The label wanted them to change their name, due to the existence of The Infidels from Youngstown, Ohio who proved ownership of the name. However, Johnson and Orenstein resisted since they were already too well-associated with that name in Canada. As well, the label was going through financial difficulties at the time. As a result, Johnson decided to dissolve the band, and the 1995 album has never been released.
Johnson now performs as a jazz
singer.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
-rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band in the 1990s.
The band formed in 1990 when Molly Johnson
Molly Johnson
Molly Johnson, OC is a Canadian Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter of pop and jazz.-Biography:Johnson began as a child performer, receiving formal training from the National Ballet School and the Banff School of Fine Arts...
reunited with Norman Orenstein
Norman Orenstein
Norman Orenstein is a Canadian composer, record producer, and musician.He is the cofounder of the rock / soul band Infidels, and Alta Moda, and was previously associated with the bands Michaele Jordana and the Poles, among others....
, her partner in the short-lived 1980s band Alta Moda
Alta Moda
Alta Moda were a Canadian funk-rock band in the 1980s.Formed in 1979 in Toronto, Ontario, the band originally consisted of singer Molly Johnson and guitarist Norman Orenstein. Drummer Steven Gelineau and bassist Etric Lyons were added in 1982 and 1983 respectively.The band eventually signed to CBS...
. They added Washington Savage, Jeff Jones and Owen Tennyson to the lineup, and released a self-titled album in 1991 on IRS Records. It spawned two hit singles, the rock radio hit "100 Watt Bulb" and the pop smash "Celebrate".
Following the album's tour, the band took a break as Johnson established the Kumbaya Festival
Kumbaya Festival
The Kumbaya Festival was an annual Canadian music festival in the 1990s.It was organized by Molly Johnson as a benefit for Canadian charities and groups doing work around HIV and AIDS, and was broadcast annually on MuchMusic....
.
They recorded another album in 1995, but were faced with label difficulties. The label wanted them to change their name, due to the existence of The Infidels from Youngstown, Ohio who proved ownership of the name. However, Johnson and Orenstein resisted since they were already too well-associated with that name in Canada. As well, the label was going through financial difficulties at the time. As a result, Johnson decided to dissolve the band, and the 1995 album has never been released.
Johnson now performs as a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
singer.