Paul Hyde
Encyclopedia
Paul Hyde (b. 21 May 1955) is a British
-born Canadian
musician and record producer (a notable client being Spirit of the West
).
Born in Yorkshire
, Hyde came to Canada as a teenager.
, of the Payola$. Hyde and Rock formed the band in 1978, cheekily naming it after the U.S. radio scandal of the '50s. Rock would also start engineering and producing at Little Mountain Sound
in Vancouver
, where Payola$ relocated from Langford, British Columbia
. The band's major label EP, Introducing Payola$
, was released on A&M
in 1980. The band had made a few DIY recordings in 1979 before signing to A&M. Their other A&M releases were 1981's In a Place Like This
, 1982's No Stranger to Danger
and 1983's Hammer on a Drum
.
n 1985, Hyde was a credited co-writer of the #1 Canadian charity single "Tears Are Not Enough
" by Northern Lights. He also sang in the song's chorus.
For 1985's Here's the World for Ya
, the band changed its name to Paul Hyde and the Payolas, but disappointing sales resulted in their being dropped by the label. The team resigned with Capitol
/EMI
and put out one album, 1987's Under the Volcano, as Rock And Hyde.
These attempts to increase radio play in the U.S. by changing their band name met with limited success, although they gave Hyde his only two US Hot 100 entries. Still, Rock and Hyde went their separate ways in 1988: Hyde became a solo artist, and Rock an extremely successful hard rock/metal producer (his clients included Metallica
), and part of the short-lived band Rockhead
.
and Tom Cochrane
, Hyde recorded a benefit single and video for UNICEF called "Let the Good Guys Win."
In 1989, Hyde's solo single "America is Sexy" reached #28 on the RPM
100 Singles chart of October 23–28. That December, the song was ranked as #23 of the top 25 Cancon songs of the year. The single was from Hyde's debut solo album, Turtle Island
. Some of the album's other songs were co-written with his then-wife, Myriam Nelson. In spite of the respectable chart success of the song, there was to be an eleven-year gap between Turtle Island
and Hyde's next major label album. During this interval, he completed an album for the small Broken Records label: Love and the Great Depression
was released in 1996. The album escaped the notice of anyone not specifically looking for it. A prominent figure in Canadian pop in the 1980s, Hyde had become obscure.
Always remaining good friends with Hyde, Rock generously gave of his time to produce Hyde's 2000 EMI
Music Canada album, Living off the Radar
, which included some songs that the two co-wrote for the project. The album was almost a Payolas reunion, as other players on the album included ex=Payolas Chris Taylor and Alex "A-Train" Boynton. The response to the album proved the truth of its name, although singles "I Loved You Before I Met You" (co-written with Craig Northey
) and "The Snake" (co-written with Rock) received some airplay.
Once again without a major label contract, in 2002 Hyde released The Big Book of Sad Songs, Volume 1
on the small Bongo Beat label. A stripped-down production that clocked in at barely over 30 minutes, the album nevertheless demonstrated the enduring craftsmanship of its songwriter.
Best known for such hits as "China Boys," "Eyes Of A Stranger" and "Where is This Love?", Payola$ played a special performance at EMI
's post-Juno Award
party April 1, 2007, in Saskatoon after Rock—who now lives in Hawaii, where he has a recording studio—was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
at the telecast. The line-up included the final 1980s configuration of band personnel, drummer Chris Taylor
(who joined in 1982) and bassist Alexander "A-train" Boynton (circa 1985).
The Payola$ became active again as recording artists when the long-time musical partners released a seven-track CD EP, Langford (Part One)
, on July 17, 2007, through EMI
Music Canada. Named for the Victoria, BC, suburb where Hyde and Rock met, the EP has a cover featuring Belmont Secondary School
, the Langford high school that they attended together.
The Payola$ ceased operation in 2008. Rock and Hyde have not announced whether they will be working together again or whether they will complete the full album that was supposed to follow their 2007 CD EP Langford (Part One)
.
.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
-born Canadian
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...
musician and record producer (a notable client being Spirit of the West
Spirit of the West
Spirit of the West are a Canadian folk rock band, who were popular on the Canadian folk music scene in the 1980s before evolving a blend of hard rock, Britpop, and Celtic folk influences which made them one of Canada's most successful alternative rock acts in the 1990s.-Early years:The band began...
).
Born in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, Hyde came to Canada as a teenager.
Hyde in the Payola$, Phase One (1978 - 1988)
Hyde was a founding member, with Bob RockBob Rock
Robert Jens Rock, , is a Canadian musician, sound engineer, and record producer best known for producing bands such as Aerosmith, The Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, 311, Metallica, Our Lady Peace, The Offspring and most recently Bush.-Payola$ and Rock and Hyde:Rock began his music career in Langford,...
, of the Payola$. Hyde and Rock formed the band in 1978, cheekily naming it after the U.S. radio scandal of the '50s. Rock would also start engineering and producing at Little Mountain Sound
Little Mountain Sound Studios
Little Mountain Sound Studios was a music recording facility located in Vancouver, British Columbia. In its day, it was the most successful recording studio in Western Canada and was the home for many years to producers Bruce Fairbairn and Bob Rock...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, where Payola$ relocated from Langford, British Columbia
Langford, British Columbia
Langford is a city of 22,459 residents on southern Vancouver Island, within the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is considered one of Greater Victoria's Western Communities...
. The band's major label EP, Introducing Payola$
Introducing Payola$
Introducing Payola$ is the four-song EP with which the Payolas made their major label debut on A&M Records. - Track listing :Side One# "China Boys" # "T.N.T." Side Two# "Rose" # "Jukebox" Introducing Payola$ is the four-song EP with which the Payolas made their major label debut on A&M Records. -...
, was released on A&M
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
in 1980. The band had made a few DIY recordings in 1979 before signing to A&M. Their other A&M releases were 1981's In a Place Like This
In a Place Like This
In a Place Like This is the first LP by the Payolas, released in 1981. The album is only available on vinyl and cassette; it has not been released on CD.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Paul Hyde: vocals, rhythm guitar* Bob Rock: guitars, vocals...
, 1982's No Stranger to Danger
No Stranger to Danger (Payola$)
No Stranger to Danger is the second album by the Payolas, released in 1982. It contains the hit "Eyes of a Stranger".The album is only available on vinyl and cassette; it has not been released on CD.-Track listing:...
and 1983's Hammer on a Drum
Hammer on a Drum
Hammer on a Drum is the third album by the Payolas, released in 1983. The title comes from a line in the song "Where Is This Love." The album is only available on vinyl and cassette; it has not been released on CD.-Track listing:...
.
n 1985, Hyde was a credited co-writer of the #1 Canadian charity single "Tears Are Not Enough
Tears Are Not Enough
"Tears Are Not Enough" is a 1985 charity single recorded by a supergroup of Canadian artists, under the name Northern Lights, to raise funds for relief of the 1984–1985 famine in Ethiopia...
" by Northern Lights. He also sang in the song's chorus.
For 1985's Here's the World for Ya
Here's the World for Ya
Here's the World for Ya is the fourth album by Paul Hyde and the Payolas, the band previously known as Payolas. Released in 1985, the album is only available on vinyl and cassette; it has not been released on CD....
, the band changed its name to Paul Hyde and the Payolas, but disappointing sales resulted in their being dropped by the label. The team resigned with Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
/EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
and put out one album, 1987's Under the Volcano, as Rock And Hyde.
These attempts to increase radio play in the U.S. by changing their band name met with limited success, although they gave Hyde his only two US Hot 100 entries. Still, Rock and Hyde went their separate ways in 1988: Hyde became a solo artist, and Rock an extremely successful hard rock/metal producer (his clients included Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
), and part of the short-lived band Rockhead
Rockhead
Rockhead was a Canadian rock band band formed in 1991 by Bob Rock.-History:Rockhead's namesake, producer/guitarist Bob Rock, formed the group in 1991 with his Payola$/Rock & Hyde bandmate, drummer Chris Taylor, as well as vocalist Steve Jack and bassist Jamey Kosh. Jack and Kosh, as well as...
.
Hyde out of the Payola$ (1989 - 2002)
In 1988, with Murray McLauchlanMurray McLauchlan
Murray McLauchlan, CM is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player.-Biography:Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, he emigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old...
and Tom Cochrane
Tom Cochrane
Tom Cochrane, OC Canadian musician and humanitarian, best known for his hit songs "Life Is a Highway", "Lunatic Fringe", "Human Race" and "I Wish You Well". Cochrane fronted the Canadian rock band Red Rider and has won seven Juno Awards...
, Hyde recorded a benefit single and video for UNICEF called "Let the Good Guys Win."
In 1989, Hyde's solo single "America is Sexy" reached #28 on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
100 Singles chart of October 23–28. That December, the song was ranked as #23 of the top 25 Cancon songs of the year. The single was from Hyde's debut solo album, Turtle Island
Turtle Island (Paul Hyde album)
Turtle Island is the first solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 1989 by Capitol/EMI on LP, cassette and Compact Disc.-Track listing:All songs written by Paul Hyde, except as noted.Side 1# "What Am I Supposed to Do?"...
. Some of the album's other songs were co-written with his then-wife, Myriam Nelson. In spite of the respectable chart success of the song, there was to be an eleven-year gap between Turtle Island
Turtle Island (Paul Hyde album)
Turtle Island is the first solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 1989 by Capitol/EMI on LP, cassette and Compact Disc.-Track listing:All songs written by Paul Hyde, except as noted.Side 1# "What Am I Supposed to Do?"...
and Hyde's next major label album. During this interval, he completed an album for the small Broken Records label: Love and the Great Depression
Love and the Great Depression
Love and the Great Depression is the second solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 1996 on Broken Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Paul Hyde, except as noted.# "Lucky Face"# "Started Smoking Again"...
was released in 1996. The album escaped the notice of anyone not specifically looking for it. A prominent figure in Canadian pop in the 1980s, Hyde had become obscure.
Always remaining good friends with Hyde, Rock generously gave of his time to produce Hyde's 2000 EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Music Canada album, Living off the Radar
Living off the Radar
Living off the Radar is the third solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 2000 by EMI Music Canada. The album reunited Hyde with three of his Payola$ bandmates: Bob Rock, Chris Taylor and Alex Boynton.-Track listing:...
, which included some songs that the two co-wrote for the project. The album was almost a Payolas reunion, as other players on the album included ex=Payolas Chris Taylor and Alex "A-Train" Boynton. The response to the album proved the truth of its name, although singles "I Loved You Before I Met You" (co-written with Craig Northey
Craig Northey
Craig Northey is a Canadian musician and one of the founding members of the band Odds.After the breakup of Odds in 1999, Northey has embarked on several other ventures, including working with Colin James, Rosanne Cash, Glen Phillips, Bruce McCulloch and many others...
) and "The Snake" (co-written with Rock) received some airplay.
Once again without a major label contract, in 2002 Hyde released The Big Book of Sad Songs, Volume 1
The Big Book of Sad Songs, Volume 1
The Big Book of Sad Songs, Volume 1 is the fourth solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 2002 by Bongo Beat. It was his first acoustic album...
on the small Bongo Beat label. A stripped-down production that clocked in at barely over 30 minutes, the album nevertheless demonstrated the enduring craftsmanship of its songwriter.
Hyde in the Payola$, Phase Two (2003 - 2008)
To the delight of long-time Payola$ fans, Hyde and Rock reunited again as Payola$ in 2003 for a gig in Vancouver, after which they decided to write more material together. Linus Entertainment released a Payola$ Live DVD in 2005.Best known for such hits as "China Boys," "Eyes Of A Stranger" and "Where is This Love?", Payola$ played a special performance at EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
's post-Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
party April 1, 2007, in Saskatoon after Rock—who now lives in Hawaii, where he has a recording studio—was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Music Hall of Fame
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame honors Canadian musicians for their lifetime achievements in music. The ceremony is held each year as part of the Juno Award ceremonies. Members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame represent many of the world's great talents...
at the telecast. The line-up included the final 1980s configuration of band personnel, drummer Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor may refer to:*Chris Taylor , owner of TMKO Lawyers & Last Gang Records*Chris Taylor , comedian, best known from The Chaser's War on Everything, CNNNN and Triple J...
(who joined in 1982) and bassist Alexander "A-train" Boynton (circa 1985).
The Payola$ became active again as recording artists when the long-time musical partners released a seven-track CD EP, Langford (Part One)
Langford (Part One)
Langford Part One is the seven-song CD EP released by the Payolas in 2007.The album cover features a picture of the Belmont Secondary School which is the Langford high school that Bob Rock and Paul Hyde attended together....
, on July 17, 2007, through EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Music Canada. Named for the Victoria, BC, suburb where Hyde and Rock met, the EP has a cover featuring Belmont Secondary School
Belmont Secondary School
Belmont Secondary School is located in Langford, a western suburb of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is one of three secondary schools in School District 62 Sooke...
, the Langford high school that they attended together.
The Payola$ ceased operation in 2008. Rock and Hyde have not announced whether they will be working together again or whether they will complete the full album that was supposed to follow their 2007 CD EP Langford (Part One)
Langford (Part One)
Langford Part One is the seven-song CD EP released by the Payolas in 2007.The album cover features a picture of the Belmont Secondary School which is the Langford high school that Bob Rock and Paul Hyde attended together....
.
Hyde's solo career resumes (2009 - present)
Hyde released a second album for Bongo Beat on October 20, 2009, called Peace SignPeace Sign (Paul Hyde album)
Released on October 20, 2009, Peace Sign is Paul Hyde's second album for Bongo Beat records.-Track listing:# "Greaseball Town"# "To the Next Bar"# "I Love You More"# "Strangers Hands"# "Illustrated Man"# "Head Full of Numbers"...
.
Solo discography
- Turtle IslandTurtle Island (Paul Hyde album)Turtle Island is the first solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 1989 by Capitol/EMI on LP, cassette and Compact Disc.-Track listing:All songs written by Paul Hyde, except as noted.Side 1# "What Am I Supposed to Do?"...
(1989) - Love and the Great DepressionLove and the Great DepressionLove and the Great Depression is the second solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 1996 on Broken Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Paul Hyde, except as noted.# "Lucky Face"# "Started Smoking Again"...
(1996) - Living off the RadarLiving off the RadarLiving off the Radar is the third solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 2000 by EMI Music Canada. The album reunited Hyde with three of his Payola$ bandmates: Bob Rock, Chris Taylor and Alex Boynton.-Track listing:...
(2000) - The Big Book of Sad Songs, Volume 1The Big Book of Sad Songs, Volume 1The Big Book of Sad Songs, Volume 1 is the fourth solo album by Paul Hyde of the Payola$, released in 2002 by Bongo Beat. It was his first acoustic album...
(2002) - Peace SignPeace Sign (Paul Hyde album)Released on October 20, 2009, Peace Sign is Paul Hyde's second album for Bongo Beat records.-Track listing:# "Greaseball Town"# "To the Next Bar"# "I Love You More"# "Strangers Hands"# "Illustrated Man"# "Head Full of Numbers"...
(2009)