The Gandharvas
Encyclopedia
The Gandharvas were a Canadian
rock
band
from London, Ontario
, who were active in the 1990s.
s, who are musical spirits in Hinduism
.
In November 1993 they signed with the label Watch Music and in 1994 released their debut album as The Gandharvas, titled A Soap Bubble and Inertia
. 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. A Soap Bubble and Inertia entered the Canadian album charts at #51 in July 1994 and peaked at #39 on August 1, 1994.
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. Eric Howden is now the singer-songwriter for the Canadian band Raised by Swans
. Vocalist Paul Jago became a geologist
and moved to Arizona
, later forming the band (duo with wife) SAID DOG.
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...
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
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
from London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, who were active in the 1990s.
History
The band formed in 1989 as The Droogs (later The London Droogs), and released a self-titled EP in 1991. They changed their name to The Gandharvas in 1993, after GandharvaGandharva
Gandharva is a name used for distinct mythological beings in Hinduism and Buddhism; it is also a term for skilled singers in Indian classical music.-In Hinduism:...
s, who are musical spirits in Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
In November 1993 they signed with the label Watch Music and in 1994 released their debut album as The Gandharvas, titled A Soap Bubble and Inertia
A Soap Bubble and Inertia
A Soap Bubble and Inertia is the debut album by Canadian alternative rock band The Gandharvas. It was released in 1994 on the Thermometer Sound Surface record label....
. 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
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, and was nominated for MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
's Video of the Year. A Soap Bubble and Inertia entered the Canadian album charts at #51 in July 1994 and peaked at #39 on August 1, 1994.
In 1995, they released their second album Kicking in the Water
Kicking in the Water
Kicking in the Water is the second album by Canadian band The Gandharvas. It was released in 1995 on the Watch Music record label.- Track listing :#"Drool" – 4:06#"The Masochistic Minstrel" – 4:15#"The Very Thing" – 4:43#"A Quick Feel" – 6:00...
, and shortly after were signed by major label MCA Records
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
. Their 1997 release, Sold for a Smile
Sold for a Smile
Sold for a Smile is the third album by Canadian rock band The Gandharvas. It was released 1997 in Canada on the Watch Music record label, and 1998 internationally on MCA Records....
, included the singles "Downtime" and "Watching the Girl". All three albums were also released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on the label Avex DD.
Though Sold for a Smile was a minor commercial success (with the "Downtime" video receiving substantial play at MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
), the album would be the band's last, as the grunge/alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
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. Eric Howden is now the singer-songwriter for the Canadian band Raised by Swans
Raised by Swans
Raised by Swans is an indie rock band from London, Ontario, Canada. The band consists of singer-guitarist Eric Howden, guitarist Alex Wright, bassist Andy Magoffin, and drummer Brady Parr....
. Vocalist Paul Jago became a geologist
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
and moved to Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, later forming the band (duo with wife) SAID DOG.
Members
- Rob Blanchette – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1989–1993) - Eric Howden – bass (1993–1996)
- Beau Cook – bass, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(1996–2000) - Paul Jago – vocals
- Jud Ruhl – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Brian Ward – guitar
- Tim McDonald – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Gandharvas
- A Soap Bubble and InertiaA Soap Bubble and InertiaA Soap Bubble and Inertia is the debut album by Canadian alternative rock band The Gandharvas. It was released in 1994 on the Thermometer Sound Surface record label....
(1994) - Kicking in the WaterKicking in the WaterKicking in the Water is the second album by Canadian band The Gandharvas. It was released in 1995 on the Watch Music record label.- Track listing :#"Drool" – 4:06#"The Masochistic Minstrel" – 4:15#"The Very Thing" – 4:43#"A Quick Feel" – 6:00...
(1995) - Sold for a SmileSold for a SmileSold for a Smile is the third album by Canadian rock band The Gandharvas. It was released 1997 in Canada on the Watch Music record label, and 1998 internationally on MCA Records....
(1997)
External links
- The Droogs at the CHRW-FMCHRW-FMCHRW-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 94.9 FM in London, Ontario. It is licensed as a community-based campus radio station by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission...
London Music Archives - A Soap Bubble and Inertia at the CHRW-FMCHRW-FMCHRW-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 94.9 FM in London, Ontario. It is licensed as a community-based campus radio station by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission...
London Music Archives