- The Northern Pikes
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For the fish, see Northern Pike.
The Northern Pikes Origin Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Genres Rock Years active 1984 - 1993; 1999 - present Labels Virgin Records Website http://www.thepikes.com Members Bryan Potvin
Jay Semko
Ross Nykiforuk
Don SchmidPast members Glen Hollingshead
Merl BryckThe Northern Pikes are a Canadian rock band formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1984. The original members were Bryan Potvin, Jay Semko, Merl Bryck and Glen Hollingshead. Hollingshead left the band in 1985, and was replaced by Don Schmid in 1986. The band was active until 1993 and subsequently reunited in 1999.
Contents
History
The Northern Pikes released two independent EPs before being signed to Virgin Records in 1986, "The Northern Pikes" (1984) and "Scene in North America" (1985). Their first album for the label, Big Blue Sky, included the Semko-penned "Teenland", the band's first significant hit. The follow-up album Secrets of the Alibi contained two more minor Canadian hits, "Wait for Me" and "Let's Pretend" (both by Semko), as well as the slightly bigger hit "Hope Go Astray", written by Potvin.
Their 1990 album, Snow in June became their biggest seller in Canada and the US. That album's lead single, "She Ain't Pretty", was the band's biggest hit, and was written by Potvin. An innovative music video for that song received heavy play on MuchMusic and was nominated for a Juno Award. Overall, the band has been nominated for 5 Juno Awards, but have yet to record a win.
In 1992, the band released Neptune. The album's biggest hit, "Believe", was again written by Potvin. After touring to support the album, they announced their retirement as a group in July 1993.
In 1999, Virgin Records asked the band members for their input on a "greatest hits" package. The band decided to do a short promotional tour following the release of Hits and Assorted Secrets 1984-1993, but found themselves enjoying the more relaxed independence of making their own schedule that they continued touring. They have since released three independent albums, including Truest Inspiration (2001) and It's a Good Life (2003), as well as the aptly titled Live (2000).
In 2005, the band struck up a musical collaboration with Les Stroud. Throughout 2005 and 2006 they performed together live several times, but a promised collaborative album never materialized.[1]
In 2006, the band was expected to release a hybrid collection of songs from Truest Inspiration and It's a Good Life under the name Beautiful Music. It was to include a bonus DVD of footage from the recording of Truest Inspiration and some promo clips from It's a Good Life. However, this has yet to see the light of day. In 2011, the band released its first two independent EPs digitally via iTunes.[2]
Bryck left the band in 2007, and long-time auxiliary keyboard player Ross Nykiforuk was promoted to full membership in his stead. The band's website currently promises a new studio release for 2012.
Discography
Singles
Release date Title Chart peak Album CAN US June 1987 "Teenland" (Semko) 29 Big Blue Sky October 1987 "Things I Do For Money" (Semko) 85 January 1988 "Dancing In A Dance Club" (Semko) August 1988 "Wait For Me" (Semko) 58 Secrets of the Alibi November 1988 "Hopes Go Astray" (Potvin) 45 April 1989 "Let's Pretend" (Semko) 66 May 1990 "She Ain't Pretty" (Potvin) 6 86 Snow in June August 1990 "Girl With A Problem" (Semko) 8 November 1990 "Kiss Me You Fool" (Bryck/Semko) 12 March 1991 "Dream Away" (Potvin) 47 October 1992 "Twister" (Semko/Potvin) 25 Neptune February 1993 "Believe" (Potvin) 17 April 1993 "Worlds Away" (Semko) 40 2001 "Echo Off The Beach" (Potvin) Truest Inspiration 2001 "Colour Into Colour" (Bryck) 2003 "It's A Good Life" (Semko) It's a Good Life 2003 "Underwater" (Bryck) Albums
Independently-released EPs
- 1984 - The Northern Pikes
- 1985 - Scene in North America
Studio albums
- 1987 - Big Blue Sky
- 1988 - Secrets of the Alibi
- 1990 - Snow in June
- 1992 - Neptune
- 2001 - Truest Inspiration
- 2003 - It's a Good Life
Live albums
Compilations
- 1999 - Hits and Assorted Secrets 1984-1993
- 2007 - Platinum
References
- ^ "Survivorman a catch for the Northern Pikes". Entertainment (Parry Sound North Star). 2006-03-22. http://www.parrysound.com/fun/1143060631/. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
- ^ "News". The Northern Pikes - Official Website. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070627004534/http://www.thepikes.com/news.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
External links
- - The Northern Pikes Official Site
- - The Northern Pikes MySpace Page
- Northern Pikes - JAM! Canadian Pop Encyclopedia entry
- Innerviews interview with Jay Semko discussing The Northern Pikes
Categories:- Canadian rock music groups
- Musical groups from Saskatoon
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