Mashmakhan
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 in L'Île-Perrot, Quebec, Canada |
| Founder | Pierre Sénécal, Brian Edwards, Jim Nuchter, Rayburn Blake |
| Headquarters | L'Île-Perrot , Canada |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Mashmakhan was a rock group originating from Canada, established in 1969 in L'Île-Perrot, Quebec. They gained prominence with their 1970 single "As the Years Go By", which topped the Canadian charts and broke into the US Top 40. The track also achieved significant popularity in Japan.
Background
The founding members Pierre Sénécal, Brian Edwards, Jim Nuchter, and Rayburn Blake first connected in 1960 in Montreal, Quebec. When their drummer was unavailable for a performance, Jerry Mercer stepped in and subsequently became part of the ensemble. Edwards departed soon afterward, but the remaining members continued to perform locally under various names such as the Phantoms and the Dominoes.
By 1965, performing as The Triangle, they served as backing musicians for R&B artist Trevor W. Payne. After four years, producer Bob Hahn discovered them, recorded demo tracks in March 1969, and facilitated a contract with Columbia Records Toronto. Edwards returned to the lineup, and the band adopted the name Mashmakhan—derived from a regional type of hashish—to resonate with contemporary listeners.
Prior to this, Brian Edwards had collaborated with future Natural Gas keyboardist Brian Wray in the group Five of a Kind.
History
The track "As the Years Go By", penned by Sénécal and featured on their debut Epic Records album, became their signature hit. It sold 100,000 copies within Canada and 400,000 across the United States. Originally conceived as a novelty tune, it also moved 400,000 units in Japan. Globally, single sales surpassed one million copies, earning a gold disc award. Subsequent singles included "Gladwin" and "Days When We Are Free".
In mid-1970, Mashmakhan appeared at the Festival Express concerts (initially named the "Transcontinental Pop Festival"). Their live performance of "Comin' Home Baby" is included in both the "Festival Express" film and DVD releases, accompanied by interviews.
In 1971, they contributed music to the National Film Board production Epilogue/Fièvre, directed by William Pettigrew. Rayburn Blake’s composition "Couldn't Find the Sun" was featured on their 1971 album The Family. While this release found an audience in Japan, it received limited acclaim domestically, leading to the band's breakup shortly thereafter.
Following the split, Blake joined the Lisa Hartt Band and pursued solo projects; Mercer became a member of April Wine. Aquarius Records briefly revived Mashmakhan in the late 1970s with future April Wine members Brian Greenway and later Steve Lang joining.
Renewed interest in Mashmakhan emerged after the 2003 launch of Festival Express, which presented archival footage of their performances during the 1970 Canadian train tour.
Brian Edwards (born 4 November 1943) died on 20 October 2016 at age 72.
Discography
- Albums
| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Mashmakhan | 1970 | Epic |
| The Family | 1971 | Epic |
| Mashmakhan/The Family | 1999 | Collectables |