Look People
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Toronto, Canada |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Alternative rock music |
Look People was a Canadian alternative rock group established in 1985 in Toronto. They achieved modest recognition with their 1991 rendition of War's "Lowrider" and earned five CASBY Award nominations for their album Small Fish, Big Pond.
History
Formed in 1985, the original lineup included vocalist Jaymz Bee, guitarist Andy Flinn, bassist Walter K. Thut, drummer Mike Weilenmann, and percussionist Gerry Scott (also known as Great Bob Scott). After several personnel changes—Flinn being succeeded by Fabio Marc Baltensperger and later Longo Hai, and Weilenmann leaving prior to recording sessions—Scott assumed drum duties.
In 1986, Look People released the EP Stop Making Cheese, which was recorded in Switzerland and distributed across North America through AMOK Records.
By 1988, the band had slimmed down to Bee and Scott, who worked alongside producer Walter Zweifel and performed with John and Chris Bottomley. The following year, a refreshed lineup featuring Bee, Scott, Clay Tyson, Kevin Hearn, Bazl Salazar, and Derek Orford (known as "Aardvark Q. Dardknarbles") recorded the EP More Songs About Hats and Chickens, which included contributions from saxophonist Richard Underhill. After Salazar and Orford departed, Longo Hai returned as guitarist.
Their first full-length album, Small Fish, Big Pond, came out in 1990 and featured Bob Wiseman. The subsequent album Boogazm was released in 1991 under Hypnotic Records. To promote this record, Look People toured Europe, appeared at selected Lollapalooza events, and completed two tours across Canada. Following Clay Tyson's departure, Chris Gartner joined the band as guitarist.
In 1993, the group released their third album titled Crazy Eggs and took on the role of house band for CBC Television’s variety program Friday Night with Ralph Benmergui. After the show's cancellation, they embarked on a final North American tour that culminated with a closing performance at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood.
After disbanding, Jaymz Bee transitioned into lounge music with his project Jaymz Bee and the Royal Jelly Orchestra. Meanwhile, Kevin Hearn, Great Bob Scott, Derek Orford, and Chris Gartner formed the band Thin Buckle. Additionally, Bee and Scott collaborated on musical ventures such as Bonzai Suzuki and The Tiki Collective. The group reunited for shows including an appearance at the Electric Eclectics Festival in 2013. In 2019, they organized a benefit concert for Derek Orford at The Dakota Tavern.
Albums
- Small Fish, Big Pond (1990), Quantum Records
- Boogazm (1991), Hypnotic Records
- Crazy Eggs (1993), Hypnotic Records
EPs
- Stop Making Cheese (1986), AMOK Records
- More Songs About Hats and Chickens (1989), Quantum Records