I moved from Aurora to Peterborough to get a degree in Cultural Studies at Trent U. This led to my first band (all cult stud majors) inappropriately named The Tights (and yes we were mostly girls that wore tights) and we had our first original hit on Trent Radio. Cult Stud was a funny song and brought together Christine Nicholson (guitar), Jocelyn Grills (guitar) and myself (drums). We later teamed up with Lee Shropshire (bass) and Cindy Jameson (vocals, sax) to form Peterboroughs first all female rock band Word of Mouth Band. Word of Mouth toured Ontario and Quebec with our most notable venues being the Kingston Prison for Women (Mugsy liked us!) and the Spectrum in Montreal.
At the same time I also ran one of the student pubs The Jolly Hangman and also the Peter Robinson Dining Hall. Jane Siberry, Parachute Club, Bobby Watson, Catfish Willy, Reverend Ken and the Lost Followers, LEtranger, and many more all played the sweaty little A frame where we were served Beaver Foods in the morning.
After my stint at school I went on to run another Peterborough pub The Underdog underneath the Red Dog Tavern. A charming little wood paneled rec room the Underdog hosted such acts as Handsome Ned and Ugly Jack, Colin Linden, Cee Dees, The Rheostatics, Joe Hall, Rick Fines, Washboard Hank and many others but its been so long I cant remember. Thats why I would love to hear from anyone that either played there or went there. Ive still got old posters etc. and would love to add some words.
Now I play drums infrequently with Shite (Laura Hubert, Erin Dowse, Sky Shaver, Craig Johnson. and Diane Smith), Taxi John, Word of Mouth and the new band Hamburger James (Laura Hubert, Chris Staig, Cindy Moser and Tim O'Dacre). I try to strumble and warble a few tunes at open stages any chance I can get.
In Peterborough, I started painting under the tutelage of Eric Loder, David Bierk, and Joe Stable and have had a few shows at Artspace, MacKenzie Gallery, Cameron House, the Old York etc.
