Leslie Spit Treeo
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, performances |
Leslie Spit Treeo was a Canadian folk rock ensemble active between 1988 and 2000, taking its name from the Leslie Street Spit area in Toronto.
History
The founding members included singer Laura Hubert alongside guitarists Pat Langner and Jack (J.D.) Nicholsen. Their unofficial mascot and self-appointed "manager" was Tag, a dog whose barks were featured on several recordings. Each member brought experience from theatre, which shaped their artistic style.
Initially performing as street musicians, occasionally accompanied by drummer Graeme Kirkland, they gained wider recognition through Bruce McDonald’s 1989 film Roadkill. They secured a deal with Capitol Records, releasing their debut album Don't Cry Too Hard in 1990. This record contained a rendition of John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery" and the original track "UFO/Catch the Highway," which contributed to their winning the Juno Award for Most Promising Group in 1991. During this time, Nicholsen also explored acting opportunities.
Their follow-up album, Book of Rejection (1992), involved collaborations with artists such as Randy Bachman and was developed from a theatrical project featuring actors Daniel Brooks, Don McKellar, and Tracy Wright. The single "In Your Eyes" achieved Top 20 status. Despite this success, disagreements over creative direction resulted in the band ending their seven-album agreement.
In 1993, after Nicholsen departed to concentrate on his acting career, Langner and Hubert released the independently produced Hell's Kitchen in 1994 under the name The Spits, before reverting to Leslie Spit Treeo to enhance commercial appeal.
They made another film appearance in McDonald's 1995 production Dance Me Outside. The group issued a double album titled Chocolate Chip Cookies in 1996, notable for its packaging that imitated Chips Ahoy! cookie bags. Following legal challenges from Nabisco, they reissued the album with conventional jewel case packaging featuring Tag on the cover. The tour promoting this release included guitarist Jason Reed, bassist Shaun Noronha, and drummer Vince Montagano.
Chocolate Chip Cookies was their last studio effort. After disbanding, Hubert pursued a solo career with three jazz albums and remains active within Toronto’s jazz community; Langner transitioned into writing; Nicholsen continues his acting career under various name forms and performs with The Cameron Family Singers. Tag passed away in 2000, coinciding with the group's conclusion.
Discography
- Don't Cry Too Hard (1990)
- Book of Rejection (1992)
- Hell's Kitchen (1994)
- Chocolate Chip Cookies (1996)
Film appearances
- Roadkill, 1989
- Dance Me Outside, 1995