Haywire (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada |
| Founder | Paul MacAusland, Marvin Birt, David Rashed, Ronnie Switzer, Scott Roberts |
| Headquarters | Charlottetown , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
| Products | Rock music albums and singles |
Haywire is a rock group originating from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, established in 1981 by Paul MacAusland (lead vocals), Marvin Birt (guitar and vocals), David Rashed (keyboards and vocals), Ronnie Switzer (bass and vocals), and Scott Roberts (drums).[1] In 1984, Ron "Bumble" LeBlanc took over drumming duties from Roberts, participating in their demo, EP, and first Attic Records release before departing; subsequently, Sean Kilbride joined to complete the lineup.[1]
That same year, Haywire secured victory in the "Q104 Homegrown" competition, utilizing the winnings to produce a five-track EP titled Haywire (1985), which sold upwards of 5,000 copies within their region. They also triumphed in Labatt's "Battle of the Bands" in 1985, allocating the $10,000 prize towards additional recording sessions.[2] By 1986, the band had signed with independent Canadian label Attic Records.[1]
Their initial full-length album, Bad Boys (1986), reached platinum certification in Canada,[1] with its title song entering the Top 40 charts. The follow-up release, Don't Just Stand There (1987), also achieved platinum status,[1] featuring their most successful single "Dance Desire." Due to delays from their label, Haywire financed the music video for "Fire" independently.
During the late 1980s, Haywire toured alongside notable Canadian rock bands such as Helix, Honeymoon Suite, and Kim Mitchell. They represented Canada at Japan's World Popular Song Festival, where "Dance Desire" earned the award for best song. Despite interest from prominent managers like Doc McGhee and Peter Mensch and record labels including Chrysalis Records, negotiations for a U.S. deal were complicated by their existing contract with Attic Records.
The 1990 release Nuthouse, recorded in Norway under producer Bjorn Nessjo,[1] was later remixed by the band in Canada to adopt a heavier rock style.[1] Singles such as "Short End of a Wishbone" and "Operator Central" featured Canada's highest-budget music videos that year. Although it attained platinum sales and received AOR radio play, this change in musical direction alienated some followers and led Attic to scale back promotional efforts.
Their last album with Attic, Get Off (1992), garnered favorable reviews but suffered from minimal label backing. Haywire self-produced two music videos for the tracks "Get Back" and "Wanna Be the One," while a third video planned for "Buzz"—their second most successful single peaking at No. 13—was never completed. Following contractual disagreements, Haywire chose not to renew with Attic; nevertheless, the label issued a greatest hits compilation in 1993 without involving the band.
Subsequently, Haywire's recordings were re-released on CD in the United States through Unidisc Music.
In recognition of their contributions, Haywire received the Music Prince Edward Island Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006,[3] followed by the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award from the East Coast Music Association in 2011.
The band remains active in creating new material, culminating in an album launch in 2021.
Current members
- Paul MacAusland – lead vocals, guitar, percussion (1981–1993, 2004–present)
- Dave Rashed – keyboards, piano, guitars, backing vocals (1981–1993, 2004–present)
- Marvin Birt – guitars, backing vocals (1981–1993, 2004–present)
- Ronnie Switzer – bass guitar, backing vocals (1981–1993, 2004–present)
- Sean Kilbride – drums and percussion (1985–1993, 2004–present)
Past Members
- Scott Roberts – percussion (1981–1984)
- Ron "Bumble" LeBlanc – percussion (1984–1985)
- Mac Cole – percussion (1985)
Albums
- Bad Boys (1986)
- Don't Just Stand There (1987)
- Nuthouse (1990)
- Get Off (1992)
Greatest Hits Collections
- Wired: The Best of Haywire (1993)
EPs
- Haywire (1985)
Singles
- "Bad Bad Boy" (1986) Canada chart peak: No. 21
- "Standin' in Line" (1986) Canada chart peak: No. 71
- "Shot in the Dark" (1986, no music video) Canada chart peak: No. 96
- "Dance Desire" (1987) Canada chart peak: No. 10
- "Black and Blue" (1987) Canada chart peak: No. 37
- "Thinkin' About the Years" (1988, no music video) Canada chart peak: No. 35
- "Fire" (1988)
- "Operator Central" (1989)
- "Short End of a Wishbone" (1990) Canada chart peak: No. 56
- "Taken the Pain" (1991, no music video)
- "Get Back" (1992) Canada chart peak: No. 46
- "Wanna Be the One" (1992)
- "Buzz" (1992, no music video) Canada chart peak: No. 13