THE OFFICIAL HOME PAGE OF
HAMILTON PUNK LEGENDS :
1979 - 1982
NEWZ
May 15 2009
Hey all, for your reading enjoyment we have the text version of the interview vocalist Greg Dick did with the Existers back in May '07. The original interview was broadcast on CIUT 89.5FM in Toronto, and was then printed in MRR.
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Oct 20 2008
Remembering Frankie Venom (Teenage Head) r.i.p. 1956 - 2008
Here is a link to a video memorial filmed at Frankie Venom’s wake on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. After the visitation at the funeral home, many people (including our own Dikky Fix aka Greg Dick) gathered for a wake at The West End for a drink and to share memories of Frankie.
Remembering Frankie - youtube link
Video by Henry Martinuk, Chernozym Video.
Oct 15 2008
The Dream Dates are sad to hear of the passing of their good friend Frankie Venom (Frank Kerr) of Teenage Head on Oct. 15, 2008. He will be missed.
Oct 8 2008
Hey all, vocalist Greg Dick will be doing a radio interview on Sunday Oct. 19th with Colin Brunton, director of the infamous Last Pogo documentary. Which just so happens to come out on DVD Oct 14th. This will take place at 10:00 PM ET on U of T's CIUT 89.5 FM. Don't miss it!
Sept 15 2008
The Ugly just brought the house down at Club Absinthe in Hamilton, and now I have another gig to tell you about. On Nov. 29 at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern, the band will be taking part in the 30th anniversary of the "Last Pogo"! Performing this night will be:
The Ugly
The Steven Leckie Solution (Viletones)
The Forgotten Rebels
The Mods
The Scenics
& from "Hits And Misses" - DJ OPP
Plus their will be a special screening of "The Last Pogo" DVD, and some special guest MCs, don't miss it!
PLUS - - The new Official Ugly Web Page is now LIVE! All future updates regarding the Ugly will be on The Ugly's own newz page, not under the Dream Dates.
Sept 10 2008
Hey all, vocalist Greg Dick of the Ugly / Dream Dates will be doing a radio interview today at 4:00 PM on 101.5 FM Mohawk College Radio in Hamilton. You can listen on line, or the old fashioned way.
Sept 4 2008
Finally we have an official photo of the reformed Ugly. Click here to peep it. The photo was taken by Patrick Klauss, and you can check out his other work at klenophotography.com.
Sept 2 2008
Hey all, there is a killer vid of the Ugly performing the song "Disorder" on youtube from the July 12 show at the Bovine. Click here to peep it.
Aug 26 2008
Hey all, here is the gig poster for the Ugly show at Club Absinthe on Sept. 13, click here to peep it.
Aug. 11 2008
Hey all, if ya missed the big reunion show at the Bovine (which was phenomenal) a second Ugly show has been officially added. It will take place on Sept. 13, 2008, in Hamilton Ontario at Club Absinthe. Support for the show will come from The Lorrainas and The Barettas! This should be a good one!
July 22 2008
Just a quick update, the Ugly gig at the Dakota is off. It seems the club got a bit scared after researching the band, and said there was no way they could play there. Oh Well.
July 8 2008
Hey all, here is the gig poster for the Ugly show at the Bovine on July 12, click here to peep it.
May 20 2008
This just in, the Ugly will play another Toronto area headline gig, this time at the legendary Queen Street den of sleaze and debauchery known as the Bovine Sex Club. This is set to go down Saturday July 12, 2008.
May 12 2008
Hello all, been a while since the last update, but I have something cool to tell ya that makes it all worth the wait. The Ugly (fronted by our own Greg Dick) will be playing a headlining gig in T.O. this September! This will be the first gig since the Last Pogo anniversary show in Dec. of 2007. The Ugly in 2008 are:
Screamin' Sam Ferrara (The Ugly / Viletones) on bass
Greg Dick (Dream Dates / Texas Dirt Fuckers) on vox
Steve Koch (Demics / Viletones) on guitar
Tony Torture (The Ugly) on drums
The band wanted to play on a 13th, and during a full moon, so the gig is set to go down on September 13th, 2008 at the Dakota Tavern (located at Ossington & Dundas).
Support for the show will come from 70s punks Tyranna and the Mods!
This will be like going back in time 30 years!
As well, the Sunday before the gig, which would be Sept. 7, the band will appear on CIUT to do an interview and a live in-studio set.... more info to come as this gets confirmed.
Jan. 8 2008
Just an update to let you know that there are some cool photos floating around the 'ol inter-tubes of Greg fronting The Ugly at the Last Pogo anniversary show at the Horseshoe in Dec. Check out Fast Eddie's site here.
Nov. 6 2007
Hey kids, just a note to let you all know that Mr. Dick's interview with legendary Toronto punks the Ugly will finally air, and it's so big, it's split into two parts. Part one airs Sunday Nov. 25, and part two will be broadcast Dec. 2. As always, same bat-time (10:00 PM), same bat-station (CIUT 89.5 FM).
Oct. 22 2007
Well it looks like our Dream Dates front man will be making another live appearance in Toronto. The date is Dec. 1 2007, the location is the legendary Horseshoe Tavern. The occasion is the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the "Last Pogo". Performing this night will be the Mods, The Existers, Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys, and The Ugly featuring Greg Dick (Dikky Fix) on vox, Steve Koch (Demics / Viletones) on guitar, Screamin' Sam Ferrara (Ugly / Viletones) on bass, and Cleave Anderson (Blue Rodeo / Battered Wives) on drums. Other acts to be added.
Sept. 30 2007
Hi all, just a little update to let you know that while the Dream Dates might not be too active these days, vocalist Greg Dick (Dikky Fix) still manages to show up in the oddest places securing his ties to the local punk scene. On Aug. 20, 2007, Greg was part of a CD release party for the late Keith Whittaker's (Demics) solo CD entitled "Drink To Me". The party started at Amadeu's in Toronto's Kensington Market, and later moved to Grafitti's for the actual gig. The main band for the night was the Screwed (original Blue Rodeo drummer Cleave Anderson (also of the Battered Wives), veteran bassist John Borra, the Sinisters' Saint on vocals and Demics' guitarist Steve Koch). Many others performed as well, and Greg sang a number of songs with Cleave, Steve, Iain Atkinson (Demics bassist), Screaming Sam Ferrara (Ugly), and Greg Keller (Blue Rodeo). The whole gig was well received by a star-studded punk rock crowd.
July 17 2007
OK, the first part of the Diodes interview went to air last Sunday (July 15) with out any notice. Part 2 will air this coming Sunday (July 22). Plus, the interview with the "Ugly" did not air live as planned, but was recorded, it will air at a later date to be announced. As with all of Greg's interviews, both interviews will be available in print in upcoming issues of Maximum RocknRoll. As always, same bat-time (10:00 PM), same bat-station (CIUT 89.5 FM).
May 29 2007
OK, our boy Greg (AKA the Brian Linehan of Toronto punk) is at it again, two more Punk interview on CIUT. First up on June 10th is the Diodes! Then, Sunday July 8 2007 Greg will talk to members of the legendary "Ugly". In attendance will be Sam Ferrara (aka Sam Ugly), Tony Vincent (aka Tony Torcher/Torture), and Raymi (aka Ray Gunner). As always, same bat-time (10:00 PM), same bat-station (CIUT 89.5 FM).
May 9 2007
Yet another Punk interview on CIUT by Mr. Fix. This Sunday (May 13 2007) Greg will talk to Don Pyle about his time as a punk photographer back in the day. He currently has a show in Toronto called "TROUBLE IN THE CAMERA CLUB: Darkroom Disasters and Paleozoic-Period Punk Photographs". As always, same bat-time (10:00 PM), same bat-station (CIUT 89.5 FM).
May 3 2007
Mr Fix is at it again...
Legendary TO punk band The Existers re-unite for special broadcast on CIUT 89.5 FM, Sunday, May 6, 10pm to midnight.
During the heady days of the Toronto late 70s punk scene, The Existers were in the thick of it. Formed in 1978 by guitarist and songwriter Barrie "Bear" Farrell, The Existers rose from the ashes of notorious punk band The Toyz, featuring Farrell and the late Stephen "Baby Oil" Hall, a wild Australian known for pelting the audience with cat food, sausage (pulled from inside his fly) and pork and beans.
The core Existers line-up featured Farrell and George Higton on guitars and vocals, Chip Yarwood on keyboards, sax and guitar, Hall on bass and the mighty Scott Chapley on drums. Dennis Rideout played drums on occasion and took over the bass chair upon Hall's departure.
Fueled by high energy, insane stage antics and above all, great tunes, The Existers built up a loyal following, playing over 100 gigs at TO punk dives The Turning Point, The Isabella and Larry's Hideaway, alongside such punk icons as Teenage Head, Johnny Thunders and The Troggs. The Existers' single "Telex Love/Spadina" was heard on CFNY and Q107, but the pitfalls of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle proved too deep and the band imploded in 1980.
Despite their brief reign The Existers reputation has lived on. Their now legendary status was confirmed recently when current punk rock luminaries Fucked Up proclaimed at the Horseshoe that they were proud to be playing on a stage once graced by The Existers.
Former Existers remain very active in the TO music scene. Barrie Farrell is leader of BabyOil, a hard rockin' outfit who released their debut recording, The Invisible House, last December. George Higton has put out several recordings of his own quirky take on jazz/blues/roots rock. Chip Yarwood is a solo performer and in-demand session musician who has recorded with Mary Margaret O'Hara, Njacko Backo, Daisy DeBolt and many others.
The Existers May 6 concert and interview, broadcast on CIUT 89.5 FM's weekly punk show Equalizing X Distort, is part of a series exploring Toronto punk history, put together by local music archivist Greg Dick. Don�t miss this chance to get the inside story on an important chapter in Toronto music history. That's The Existers, live on CIUT 89.5 Fm, Sunday, May 6, 10pm to 12am. For folks outside the broadcast area you can tune in through www.ciut.fm.
Dec. 4 2006
OK, Mr. Fix is on a roll, coming up the man will Interview Teenage Head on Sunday Jan. 28, 2007, same bat-time (10:00 PM), same bat-station (CIUT 89.5 FM). Also lined up for the near future are the Forgotten Rebels. Keep checking back for dates.
Sep. 12 2006
Hey, everyone's favourite vocalist Greg Dick (Dikky Fix) is at it again. He will be doing a live interview with yet another Toronto Punk act from the glorious 70s. This time out its The Mods! (The band will also perform live in the studio). When and where you ask? Well, it will be Sun Nov. 19 2006 on the University of Toronto's radio station CIUT FM at 10PM Toronto time. You can go to 89.5 FM on your radio, or listen on the web by going to www.ciut.fm and clicking on the "listen" button. (top right-hand corner of second page).
Sep. 7 2006
Hey kids, we have a couple of new photos for you. Here are 2 shots of vocalist Dikky Fix (Greg Dick) from a recent shoot with Toronto photographer Patrick Klauss.
If the first photo of Dikky's back looks familiar to you, that's because it has been used for a kick-ass t-shirt that's being sold in all the trendy boutiques along Queen St. West (still the coolest part of Toronto). Along with the picture on the shirt is the slogan "I killed a Ninja because I'm sexy and I do what I want" . . . classic.
Aug. 24 2006
Hey all you hipsters, everyones favourite vocalist Greg Dick (Dikky Fix) will be doing a live interview with the notorious Steven Leckie of Viletones fame. (The band will also perform live in the studio). When and where you ask? Well, it will be Sun Oct. 15 2006 on the University of Toronto's radio station CIUT FM at 10PM Toronto time. You can go to 89.5 FM on your radio, or listen on the web by going to www.ciut.fm and clicking on the "listen" button. (top right-hand corner of second page).
We have some other news as well, the four-track 12" Moans On The Phone EP (collecting the tracks from the first two singles) has been out for some time, and I'll post the art work and details soon.
Next, there will be a third 7" single out soon, this will feature 3 covers recorded by the band back in 1979.
Apr. 1 2005
Ok, there has been a lot going on with the Suicide Dates and the Dream Dates over the last few moths, so here's a run down.
First the Suicide Dates did three shows. There were the two gigs opening for the Forgotten Rebels as posted below, and then there was the ultra-cool "secret gig". This was the one to see, it happened on Nov. 20, 2004 at Clinton's Tavern in Toronto. The band was never listed as being on the night's playbill, and appeared on stage at midnight. Also playing that night were; the Sick Fits, Career Suicide, the Brutal Knights, and The Bayonettes. The hardcore Punks in the crowd went mental. The set list was the same for all three shows, except the song order was changed, it looked something like this:
The Mess You're In
Kissin' Cousins (The Saints)
Surfer Joe
Stay (The Texas Dirt Fuckers - Dikky's band from 1997 - 2000)
Heart Attack Rhythm
Search And Destroy (The Stooges)
First Time (The Boys)
Tallahassee Lassie
Moans On The Phone
Slash Your Face (Dogs)
I have pictures from these shows, and I may or may not post 'em, as they didn't come out too great. However I do have digital video from the first two shows, and that did come out great! Whether the Suicide Dates will ever play again or if they'll ever record is still not certain. If the planets all line up, and the time is right, you never know what might happen.
Now, onto the Dream Dates. Back in November of 2002, it was announced that the label Zurich Chainsaw Massacre was going to re-release the first Dream Dates 7". Well, that plan never came to fruition, instead, what is going to happen now, is that they will release a 12" that includes the songs from the first two 7"s, as well as new pictures etc. This should be out early summer 2005.
Oct. 8 2004
Well, well, I have big-ass news for you people today! Most of you reading this, have thought that you would never, ever get the chance to see the Dream Dates live on stage, and guess what? You still won't, so don't hold your breath! However, you are going to get a chance to see something very close, I give you...
Original Dream Dates vocalist Dikky Fix will be performing a very special handful of gigs, as a "tribute" to the music of the Dream Dates! Joining Mr. Fix on stage will be Brian of The Sinisters on drums, and Martin and Jonah of Ugly Pop label mates Career Suicide, on bass and guitar respectively. So far, there are two official dates. The first is Friday Nov. 12th at Lee's Palace in Toronto. The second show is Friday Nov. 26th at the Underground in Hamilton. Both shows will see the Suicide Dates opening for Canadian Punk legends the Forgotten Rebels! Don't miss this ultra-rare chance to see these songs performed live for the first time in over 22 years!!
BAND MEMBERS HISTORY PHOTOS POSTERS DISCOGRAPHY PRESS CRAZEE HARRY
After the Dream Dates, there was... THE KIMONA NAILS!
IF YOU THINK THE DREAM DATES SUCK, CLICK HERE!
urotsukidoji_1@yahoo.com
The Dream Dates are not currently on-line.
Any e-mail sent to the above address, concerning the band, is forwarded to vocalist "Dikky Fix".
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