The Wackers
Encyclopedia
The Wackers were an American
Elektra Records
group, produced
by Gary Usher
, who established the band from members of Roxy, which had moderate success. Musicians Bob Segarini
, fellow Roxy member Randy Bishop on vocals, Bill 'Kootch' Trochim on bass and keyboards, guitarist Michael Stull and drummer Spencer Earnshaw made up the original group. Elektra released their debut Wackering Heights, which included session
saxophonist Jack Schaeffer
. Following the success of the tracks "Travelin' Time" and "Body Go Round", the band toured Canada
and the US
. The next year (1972), the band moved to Montreal, Canada around the time that they released their sophomore LP Hot Wacks. The album, recorded at Andre Perry Studios, featured "I Hardly Know Her Name" and a cover of John Lennon's "Oh My Love". Most of side two of the album was the six-song "Time Will Carry On" suite which reminded the listener of side two of The Beatle's "Abbey Road. Many references to the Hot Wacks LP erroneously refer to songs that do not appear on any Wackers LPs including "Windy Days", "I Got My Friends" and remakes of "New York City" and "Rock and Roll Circus", which were songs from the Roxy album in 1970. The third album, Shredder, was released in 1973 and featured "Day and Night" (a chart
single
), "Beach Song" and "Last Dance".
Despite Michael Stull leaving the group shortly after the move to Montreal, and April Wine drummer Jerry Mercer
and guitarist JP Lauzon playing on several of the "Shredder" tracks, Segarini, Trochim, Bishop and Earnshaw went on to record an unreleased fourth album, "Wack 'n' Roll." Soon after, Earnshaw returned to California and Randy Bishop began a solo career. The Wackers soldiered on for a time with new additions -- Leon Holt, Norman Vosko and Wayne Cullen -- and released one single on Polydor Records, "All I Want To Do Is Love You." Segarini, Trochim and Cullen would then form The Dudes, with original April Wine
members David and Ritchie Henman, and future April Wine guitarist Brian Greenway
for one album. Bob Segarini went on to enjoy a criticaly aclaimed solo career and later ventured into TV and Radio broadcasting.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
group, produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Gary Usher
Gary Usher
Gary Usher was an American surf rock musician, songwriter, and record producer.-Biography:Usher's early life was spent in Grafton, Massachusetts. He attended Norcross Grammar School with his sister, Sandra, who was in the same class and was likely his twin. Gary was kiddingly called "Chicken Feed"...
, who established the band from members of Roxy, which had moderate success. Musicians Bob Segarini
Bob Segarini
Bob Segarini is a recording artist, singer, songwriter, composer and radio host. During a professional music career primarily developed between 1968 and the early 1980s, Segarani was particularly popular in Canada...
, fellow Roxy member Randy Bishop on vocals, Bill 'Kootch' Trochim on bass and keyboards, guitarist Michael Stull and drummer Spencer Earnshaw made up the original group. Elektra released their debut Wackering Heights, which included session
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
saxophonist Jack Schaeffer
Jack Schaeffer
Jack Schaeffer is an American musician, recording artist, record producer and arranger.-Music career:...
. Following the success of the tracks "Travelin' Time" and "Body Go Round", the band toured Canada
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...
and the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The next year (1972), the band moved to Montreal, Canada around the time that they released their sophomore LP Hot Wacks. The album, recorded at Andre Perry Studios, featured "I Hardly Know Her Name" and a cover of John Lennon's "Oh My Love". Most of side two of the album was the six-song "Time Will Carry On" suite which reminded the listener of side two of The Beatle's "Abbey Road. Many references to the Hot Wacks LP erroneously refer to songs that do not appear on any Wackers LPs including "Windy Days", "I Got My Friends" and remakes of "New York City" and "Rock and Roll Circus", which were songs from the Roxy album in 1970. The third album, Shredder, was released in 1973 and featured "Day and Night" (a chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
), "Beach Song" and "Last Dance".
Despite Michael Stull leaving the group shortly after the move to Montreal, and April Wine drummer Jerry Mercer
Jerry Mercer
Jerry Mercer is a Canadian rock drummer, best known for his work with the groups Mashmakhan and April Wine.-Personal life:...
and guitarist JP Lauzon playing on several of the "Shredder" tracks, Segarini, Trochim, Bishop and Earnshaw went on to record an unreleased fourth album, "Wack 'n' Roll." Soon after, Earnshaw returned to California and Randy Bishop began a solo career. The Wackers soldiered on for a time with new additions -- Leon Holt, Norman Vosko and Wayne Cullen -- and released one single on Polydor Records, "All I Want To Do Is Love You." Segarini, Trochim and Cullen would then form The Dudes, with original April Wine
April Wine
April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1969. According to the band, they chose the name 'April Wine' simply because members thought the two words sounded good together...
members David and Ritchie Henman, and future April Wine guitarist Brian Greenway
Brian Greenway
Brian Greenway is a Canadian guitarist, vocalist, and harmonicist, most recognized for playing in the Canadian rock bands April Wine, Mashmakhan, and the Dudes...
for one album. Bob Segarini went on to enjoy a criticaly aclaimed solo career and later ventured into TV and Radio broadcasting.