photo by Rob Michalchuk taken at 199 King St. Burford, Ontario
Karl Fuss - guitar
The "quirky, acoustically inclined pop" of Karl Fuss, as the Humpin' In The Back Room put it in their music 'zine was a refreshing break from the grunge and punk that the Brantford music scene was putting out during the mid-1990's. His catchy songs, such as Beast were fun for all to hear when he played his very rare live sets. The song Beast would later influence Rob Michalchuk the singer for Cartoon Khaki to include Karlesque styling's to the song Naugahyde Beast in the Cartoon Khaki repertoire.
Karl's first known released recording was with Vic Moya on the Coffee Tea and Me tape, which could also be called the first Humpin' In The Back Room release. One side was Vic Moya and the other side was Karl. It was only given out to friends as a Christmas present.
Karl's first known show was April 7th 1995 at a Second Wave in-store for his only solo album titled, Full, there is an audio recording of the entire set. Karl was known to bring in back up musicians for his live performances. This show had Vince Moya (Circle Theorem) drumming, Mark Tadijanovich (Loser Pararde, Cartoon Khaki) on bass and Jimmy Tseronis backing up with a second guitar in his acoustic set. Irena Tadijanovich was also present doing back up vocals for one song in the acoustic set and another in the electric. Unfortunately there was no dancing bear at the show like the poster said and Jimmy wasn't drumming. Rob Michalchuk wrote of the show in Humpin' In The Back Room, issue 2, spring 1995:
It was a beautiful brisk spring night, the flowers were growing and the grass, was a shade greener, and oh yes it was Karl Fuss' much anticipated and greatly appreciated in-store show at Second Wave Records to sell his much anticipated and greatly appreciated audible cassette release called Full. People filtered their way into the dark and dreary basement hoping to catch a glimpse of the star for the night, Karl Fuss, maybe even a dancing bear. Well, the dancing bear wasn't there but there was Mark the bass guy, Jimmy the back ground guitarist and Vince the guy who bangs on strange looking wooden cylinders with some type of skin over it. Well Karl started off the show with a song by himself. It sounded absolutely harmonious, however the vocal amp was turned up and the song started all over again. It was absolutely great.
The acoustic set was fun filled and wonderful.
The electric set was great. I enjoyed it a lot. The whole show was spectacular and I'm hurrying, I know because I have to go and do stuff. You had to be there. It was awesome or something. CYA
Later, April 28th 1995 Karl had another chance to play at the ill-fated Dave's Garage show on Proctor Avenue, Brantford. Unfortunately the show never happened, even with all the bands appearing. It seemed that fears of the neighbouring houses with noise, which shut down the previous January 7th 1995 Dave's Garage show prematurely, was still present. Karl never had a chance to play.
Karl helped write a Dirge set list April 28th 1995 for a canceled show. Karl on the far left with Jeff and Jan.
Karl Fuss and Jason Biro practicing at 199 King Street, Burford, Ontario, December 7th 1995
Karl practicing December 7th 1995
After this almost appearance Karl would not play another show until the Humpin' In The Back Room benefit show at Sydenham United Church in Brantford, December 15 1995. For this show Karl brought onboard to his set Jason Biro on Bass from Kaleidescope and Paul Evans from Dianthus/Second Wave on drums.
Jason Biro, Paul Evans and Karl December 15 1995
Set from December 15 1995 show
Humpin' In The Back Room, Issue #6, March 1996 had an article about the Humpin' Benefit show of December 15th 1995 more can be read there.
A few days later on the 17th Karl would play the second part of the benefit show at the Pelican, 112 Dalhousie Street. With the same members as on the 15th, plus Jimmy Tseronis doing backing vocals for some songs that were just acoustic. After this show Karl faded from playing in the local music scene and has not played live since. He still records his songs and can be found on MySpace.
April 7 1995 - Second Wave, Brantford
April 28 1995 (cancelled) - Dave's Garage, Brantford
December 15 1995 - Humpin' Benifit, Sydenham United Church, Brantford
December 17 1995 - Pelican, Brantford
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Show Posters
April 7 1995
External Links
last updated October 06 2007