Big House (Canadian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Jan Ek, Sjor Throndson, Kevin 'K. B.' Broc, Craig Beakhouse |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Edmonton , Canada |
| Products | Albums, EPs, Singles |
Big House was a rock ensemble from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, known for its punk-inspired sound and active during the early 1990s.[1]
History
The origins of the group trace back to 1982 when vocalist and guitarist Jan Ek, along with drummer Sjor Throndson, relocated from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba to Edmonton. They became members of the punk outfit Down Syndrome, which released a single album in 1984.[2] Following the departure of several pivotal members in 1986, Ek and Throndson brought on guitarist Kevin 'K. B.' Broc and bassist Craig Beakhouse, officially forming Big House in 1987.[1] The band's name was inspired by the large, old house they were renting at the time.[3]
By this period, their musical style had evolved toward a more mainstream hard rock approach.[4][5] After signing with Boom Town Music in 1990, they released the EP titled Pretty Things.[6]
Their self-titled album Big House came out in 1991, produced by David Bendeth at Paisley Park Studios, owned by Prince,[7] with cover artwork designed by Hugh Syme, renowned for his work with Rush. Boom Town marketed them as Canada's answer to Guns N' Roses.[1] The album featured singles such as "Dollar In My Pocket (Pretty Things)", "All Nite", and "Baby Doll". Notably, "Dollar In My Pocket" reached number one on the RPM Canadian Content chart in August 1991 and enjoyed substantial rotation on MuchMusic.[8] Music historian Sean Kelly praised it as "the best Canadian hard rock song of all time."[9]
Following the album's launch, bassist Beakhouse departed and was succeeded by Jay Scott King.[10] The band toured alongside acts like Slik Toxik and Sven Gali before eventually disbanding.
At the Juno Awards of 1992, Big House received three nominations: Randy Staub for Best Recording Engineer for "Dollar In My Pocket," Hugh Syme for Best Album Design, and a nod for Hard Rock Album of the Year for their self-titled record.
In 1992, Boom Town issued the EP All Nite, which included three well-received tracks,[11] while a live recording from Toronto was made available exclusively to subscribers of Metal Forces magazine.[12]
Among the former members, only Jan Ek pursued a continued career in music professionally, returning to Manitoba to perform as a solo artist and advocate for LGBTQ rights.[13]
Discography
Albums
- Big House (1991), Boom Town Music
- Live In Concert (1992), Boom Town Music
EPs
- Pretty Things Limited Edition EP (1990), Boom Town Music
- All Nite (1992), Boom Town Music
Singles
- "Baby Doll" (1991)
- "Dollar In My Pocket (Pretty Things)" (1991)
- "All Nite" (1991)
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Big House just rocks 'n' rolls: Edmonton band leaves its punk days behind". Hamilton Spectator, January 25, 1992.
- ↑ "Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ↑ "Big times for Big House; Hard-rocking band pegged next mega-success story". Edmonton Journal, November 14, 1990.
- ↑ "Big House". AllMusic Biography by John Bush
- ↑ Sean Kelly (2 September 2013). Metal on Ice: Tales from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes. Dundurn. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-4597-0710-8.
- ↑ "Big House – Pretty Things Limited Edition EP". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ↑ "Big House". sputnikmusic.com. Sputnik Music. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ↑ "Canadian Content (Cancon)". RPM Magazine - Volume 54, No. 15. Sep 14, 1991
- ↑ Kelly, Sean (2 September 2013). Metal on Ice: Tales from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes, p 27. Dundurn.
- ↑ "Big House pushes reality as today's form of protest; City band single-minded about success". Edmonton Journal, February 10, 1992.
- ↑ "Big House – All Nite". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ↑ "Big House – Live In Concert". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ↑ Kemp, Chelsea (4 July 2019). "Jan Ek gay punk rock revolutionist, July 2019". brandonsun.com.