Founding members: Paul Wilson-Brown, Gary Westlake and Maurice DePas.
Their first group of songs was recorded and engineered by Darren Brisker at Psi Chord Studios and became the basis for the band’s 1979 debut album “How Cliché can you Get”. Maurice, Gary and Paul were joined by bassist Elmar Spanier, and drummers Nels Guloien and Robert Hake.
The additional recording was completed at Total Sounds Studios. Produced by Maurice, and the Jamaican engineer from the Rolling Stones’ “Goat’s Head Soup” album; Carlton Lee.
This first limited edition pressing showcased the bands' songwriting ability and garnered airplay for the single “Top Forty”. M&TC’s blend of musical styles and sardonic wit was off to a flying start.
M&TC soon became favourites on the thriving Vancouver alternative music scene. Even in the early days there always an element of the unexpected at their shows, many of which became events incorporating multi media, theatrical sets, props and actors. They frequently made cameo appearances as themselves in the ongoing avant garde theatre production, “the West End”,
a live weekly improvisational soap opera.
The next record was the 1980 EP called “Veronika”.
Recorded at Blue Wave Studios with a new line up including Jay Johnson, (Bonus Boys), on drums. Appearances on CBC TV & Radio programs brought the band to national attention. College radio airplay provided the band with a solid fan base and concert audience. Their live show still occasioned the use of anything from bagpipers to Maurice riding his motorcycle onstage, but after the murder of John Lennon, M&TC would always wear black.
M&TC were signed to LA based RMS/Applause Records by record executive Lorne Saifer and the album “C’est La Vie” was released internationally in 1983. Bassist Muir (Payolas), joined the band for these recordings. Recorded at Vancouver’s legendary Mushroom Studios and produced by Jamie Bowers & M&TC.
The single Soft Core charted on the Billboard Top 100, and was in heavy rotation on alternative playlists across the US.
To follow up on the success of “Soft Core”, Maurice Paul and Gary crossed the border and relocated in Seattle and attracted two new members; bassist Wayne Clack and drummer Mike Alexisch. In this powerhouse format, M&TC played the feature Northwest Clubs and began to tour further South. In 1984, under the new management of Ken Deans, M&TC moved to Los Angeles.
M&TC played all the Hollywood hotspots, The Hollywood Palace both as a headliner and supporting such acts as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and the Sisters of Mercy. They were regulars and top of the bill at all the “A” List clubs of the period: Madame Wong’s (East & West), Club Lingerie, The Music Machine, The Whisky a Go-Go, The Central, FM Station, Gazzari’s…
Several M&TC songs appeared in the Fred Weintraub/ MGM teen flick:
“The Princess Academy”
Management changes again, Kelly Curtis (Pearl Jam) took over the business reins from Ken Deans. Larry Johnson of Niceman Merchandising provided initial funding for the next record, to be produced by Nancy Wilson, (Heart), and recorded at the old Music Grinder Studio on Melrose Ave..
In 1986 M&TC headlined at their own sold-out show at the famous Roxy.
It was a hallmark performance, but it was also their last major performance.
The band split up in late 1986.