Offenbach (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Pierre Harel, Johnny Gravel, Gerry Boulet, Michel Lamothe, Denis Boulet |
| Defunct | 1985 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 1996, active since |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Offenbach is a Canadian band known for its blend of progressive rock and blues rock, active initially from 1969 until 1985, before reuniting for a successful tour in 1996 and subsequently releasing a new album in 2005.
History
Originating in Montreal during the mid-1960s under the name Les Gants blancs, the group experienced multiple renamings before adopting the name Offenbach in 1969. The founding members consisted of lead vocalist Pierre Harel, guitarist Johnny Gravel, organist and vocalist Gerry Boulet, bassist Michel Lamothe (who is the son of country artist Willie Lamothe), and drummer Denis Boulet, Gerry’s sibling.
Their first album, Offenbach Soap Opéra (1971), primarily featured songs in French, accompanied by two English-language tracks. After Denis Boulet left the band in 1972, Roger Belval took over drumming duties. That same year, they performed a "Mass for the Dead" at Saint Joseph's Oratory, which was later released as Saint-Chrone de néant.
In 1973, with Pierre Harel departing to focus on filmmaking, the band toured extensively and established themselves in France for two years; this period was captured in the concert film Tabarnak. Upon returning to Montreal in 1975, the lineup continued to evolve: both Lamothe and Belval exited in 1977, succeeded by Norman Kerr on bass and Pierre Lavoie on drums. Jean Millaire briefly joined as a second guitarist before John McGale permanently filled that role. In 1978, Kerr and Lavoie were replaced by Breen Leboeuf and Robert Harrisson, respectively.
Offenbach’s initial English-language album, Never Too Tender (1976), was supported by a Canadian tour. This was followed by three French-language albums—Offenbach, Traversion, and En Fusion—and their second English album, Rock Bottom, released in 1980. The album Traversion earned them their first Félix Award for rock album of the year in 1979.
In 1979, Offenbach collaborated with the Vic Vogel Big Band during a Quebec tour; their performance at St. Denis Theatre was issued as Offenbach en fusion (1980), which garnered another Félix Award. That year also saw them honored with Félix Awards for group of the year and show of the year, marking them as the first Québécois band to headline at the Montreal Forum.
Following Robert Harrisson’s departure in 1982, Pat Martel joined as drummer. The band released three additional studio albums along with the live album À fond d'train, which documented a successful tour alongside Plume Latraverse. Gerry Boulet embarked on a solo career with an album released in 1985 while planning further endeavors. Offenbach’s final concerts took place at the Colisée de Québec and Montreal Forum; the latter performance was recorded and released as both an album and film titled Le Dernier show.
Post-breakup
After Offenbach disbanded initially, its members engaged in various solo efforts and collaborations throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Gerry Boulet produced two solo albums prior to his passing in 1990. Breen Leboeuf and John McGale formed Buzz Band; Leboeuf went on to release multiple solo records and contributed to Céline Dion’s acclaimed Incognito tour (1987–1988). McGale issued his solo album Bridges and worked with artists including Dan Bigras and Isabelle Boulay. Pierre Harel, Michel Lamothe, and Roger Belval created Corbach to build upon the legacies of Offenbach and Corbeau. Johnny Gravel established Patriotes, while Pat Martel performed alongside pop artist Carole Ann King.
In 1992, remastered versions of Offenbach’s back catalogue were issued on CD, sparking renewed commercial success within Quebec.
Reunion
In 1996, McGale, Gravel, and Leboeuf came together once more under the name Offenbach Inc., bringing on Martin Deschamps—who had won Quebec's L'Empire des futures stars—as the new lead singer following Boulet's death. They embarked on an extensive tour lasting two years and issued a greatest hits collection in 1999, followed by a second compilation released in 2002.
The 2005 release Nature included acoustic versions of their well-known songs alongside a fresh composition titled "L'amour est cruel," originally penned by Gravel in the 1980s with lyrics later contributed by Deschamps. That same year, Offenbach celebrated their 25th anniversary with a special concert held at Montreal's Bell Center.
In 2007, Leboeuf became the bassist for April Wine, stepping into the role previously held by Jim Clench.
By 2012, Offenbach maintained an active touring schedule across Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and France.
The current roster consists of:
- Johnny Gravel: Guitar
- Ghyslain Robidas: Lead Vocals
- Michel Landry: Vocals and Drums
- Domenic Romanelli: Bass
- Eric Sauvé: Hammond B3 Organ and Piano
Offenbach unveiled Renaissance in 2018, marking their first new album in 33 years.
Discography
- Offenbach Soap Opéra (1972)
- St-Chrone de néant (1973)
- Bulldozer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1973)
- Tabarnac (1975, live)
- Never Too Tender (1976)
- Offenbach (1977)
- Traversion (1979)
- Rock Bottom (1980)
- Offenbach en fusion (1980, live)
- Coup de foudre (1981)
- Tonnedebrick (1983)
- Live à fond d'train (1984, live)
- Rockorama (1985)
- Le Dernier Show (1986)
- Offenbach (1990 re-issue)
- Offenbach 2-4-6 Box Set (1992)
- Offenbach 1-3-5 Box Set (1992)
- Les 20 plus grands succès (1999)
- Les 20 plus grands succès, volume 2 (2002)
- Nature (2005)
- l'Ultime (2007)
- Montreux (2014, live)
- Bacon (2016, live)
- Renaissance (2018)