The Secret Sessions
Encyclopedia
The Secret Sessions is a tribute album
to Canadian
indie rock
band Rheostatics
, released March 16, 2007 through the web label Zunior. The album was released to coincide with the band's farewell show scheduled for March 30, and features Canadian indie rock artists performing Rheostatics songs. The album was not publicized in advance, so that its release on March 16 would be a surprise for the band — the album was presented to the band live on Dave Bookman's show on CFNY-FM
on March 15.
Notably, the album includes reunion performances by three bands, Weeping Tile
, Local Rabbits
and The Inbreds
, who were contemporaries of the Rheostatics in the 1990s Canadian indie rock scene, but have since broken up.
The album is available as a limited edition CD
release through Zunior, but is otherwise available only as a download from the label's website. Profits generated by the album are donated to charity.
Tribute album
A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
to 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...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Rheostatics
Rheostatics
Rheostatics was a Genie Award-winning Canadian indie rock band, active from 1980 to 2007.Although they had only one Top 40 hit, "Claire" in 1995, they were simultaneously one of Canada's most influential and unconventional rock bands, a band whose eclectic take on pop and rock music has been...
, released March 16, 2007 through the web label Zunior. The album was released to coincide with the band's farewell show scheduled for March 30, and features Canadian indie rock artists performing Rheostatics songs. The album was not publicized in advance, so that its release on March 16 would be a surprise for the band — the album was presented to the band live on Dave Bookman's show on CFNY-FM
CFNY-FM
CFNY-FM, promoted under the branding 102.1 The Edge, is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 102.1 FM. The station rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s due to its freestyle DJing format and unique choice to play alternative music...
on March 15.
Notably, the album includes reunion performances by three bands, Weeping Tile
Weeping Tile (band)
Weeping Tile was a Canadian rock band in the 1990s.-History:The band was started by singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer in 1993, when she was invited to fill in for the opening band at a Thomas Trio and the Red Albino concert in Ottawa...
, Local Rabbits
Local Rabbits
Local Rabbits were a Canadian alternative rock band, active in the 1990s and early 2000s.-Background:Based in Montreal, the band consisted of vocalists and guitarists Peter Elkas and Ben Gunning, bassist Ryan Myshrall and drummer Jay Tustin...
and The Inbreds
The Inbreds
The Inbreds were a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1992. Originally from Kingston, Ontario, Canada the band relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1996. Three of the four albums released during the band's existence reached number one on the Canadian national university charts, and the band...
, who were contemporaries of the Rheostatics in the 1990s Canadian indie rock scene, but have since broken up.
The album is available as a limited edition CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
release through Zunior, but is otherwise available only as a download from the label's website. Profits generated by the album are donated to charity.
Track listing
- The WeakerthansThe WeakerthansThe Weakerthans are a four-piece Canadian indie rock band.-History:The band was formed in 1997 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by John K. Samson, after he left the punk band Propagandhi to start a publishing company. Samson joined forces with bassist John P...
– "Bad Time to Be Poor" - Stephen StanleyStephen StanleyStephen Stanley is a Canadian singer-songwriter associated with the band The Lowest of the Low. Stanley also performs as a solo artist, sometimes in collaboration with violinist Carla MacNeil....
and Carla MacNeil – "Take Me in Your Hand" - Weeping TileWeeping Tile (band)Weeping Tile was a Canadian rock band in the 1990s.-History:The band was started by singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer in 1993, when she was invited to fill in for the opening band at a Thomas Trio and the Red Albino concert in Ottawa...
with Chris Brown – "Public Square" - Wooden StarsWooden StarsWooden Stars are a Canadian indie rock band formed in the 1990s. The band, from Ottawa, consists of vocalist and guitarist Julien Beillard, guitarist Mike Feuerstack, bassists Josh Latour and Mathieu Beillard, and drummer Andrew McCormack.-Style:...
– "Saskatchewan" - The InbredsThe InbredsThe Inbreds were a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1992. Originally from Kingston, Ontario, Canada the band relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1996. Three of the four albums released during the band's existence reached number one on the Canadian national university charts, and the band...
– "Dope Fiends and Boozehounds" - King Cobb SteelieKing Cobb SteelieKing Cobb Steelie is a Canadian Indie rock band formed in 1991 from Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The band's most successful single was 1997's "Rational", from the album Junior Relaxer. Their music fuses elements of punk, funk, jazz and dance.-History:...
– "Seven Stars Remix" - Barenaked LadiesBarenaked LadiesBarenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
with Tim MechTim MechTim Mech is a Canadian rock guitarist. He is best known as a sometime collaborator with Rheostatics, for whom he was also a guitar tech for many years, starting around 1988...
and Jason PlumbJason PlumbJason Plumb is a Canadian singer-songwriter who was the lead singer and front man of The Waltons. He currently performs as a solo singer-songwriter with a backing band called The Willing....
– "Legal Age Life at Variety Store" - The Golden SealsThe Golden SealsThe Golden Seals are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 and based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.-History:The band is led by singer and songwriter Dave Merritt. Other members include Philip Shaw Bova, Matt Ouimet, Steve Boudreau and Mike Bonnell....
– "Loving Arms" - Cuff the DukeCuff the DukeCuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
– "Claire" - Kate FennerKate FennerKate Fenner is a Canadian musician, currently based in New York City. She was one of the primary singers and songwriters for the Canadian alternative rock band Bourbon Tabernacle Choir in the 1980s and 1990s. When that band broke up, Fenner continued performing as a duo with her Bourbon bandmate...
and Tony ScherrTony ScherrTony Scherr is an American jazz and folk rock bassist, guitarist, singer-songwriter and record producer.-Biography:Scherr was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He played with Woody Herman as a teenager, and moved to New York City in the late-1980s, where he became a prolific session musician, working...
– "Stolen Car" - By Divine RightBy Divine RightBy Divine Right is a Canadian indie rock band, led by guitarist and vocalist José Miguel Contreras.-History:The band was formed in 1989 by high school friends Contreras, drummer Mark Goldstein, bassist Liz Teear and guitarist Steve Berman. They put out a number of independent releases before...
– "Shaved Head" - Dylan HudeckiDylan HudeckiDylan Hudecki is a Canadian musician, who has been associated with the bands By Divine Right, Cowlick and Junior Blue. He has also recorded a solo cover of Rheostatics' "Satan is the Whistler" for the 2007 Rheostatics tribute album The Secret Sessions.-Family:His father, Bernie Hudecki, was a rock...
– "Satan is the Whistler" - Local RabbitsLocal RabbitsLocal Rabbits were a Canadian alternative rock band, active in the 1990s and early 2000s.-Background:Based in Montreal, the band consisted of vocalists and guitarists Peter Elkas and Ben Gunning, bassist Ryan Myshrall and drummer Jay Tustin...
– "Record Body Count"