Payolas
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Paul Hyde, Bob Rock |
| Defunct | 1988 (initial), reunited 2003–2008 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Successor | Rock and Hyde (1987) |
| Headquarters | Vancouver , Canada |
Area served | Canada, United States |
Key people | Paul Hyde (vocalist, lyricist), Bob Rock (multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer) |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Payolas (often stylized as Payola$) were a notable Canadian rock group active during the 1980s. Initially rooted in a new wave sound, they later shifted toward mainstream pop rock. Their most recognized track is "Eyes of a Stranger," featured on the 1982 album No Stranger to Danger, which garnered them four Juno Awards.
Originating from Vancouver, the band experienced multiple changes in both name and membership, performing under titles such as The Payola$, Paul Hyde and the Payolas, and Rock and Hyde. The central figures throughout were vocalist and lyricist Paul Hyde alongside multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Bob Rock. Although the group dissolved in 1988, they reunited between 2003 and 2008.
Name
Their name alludes to the pay-for-play controversy known as the 1960s U.S. payola scandal that involved commercial radio. This connection caused apprehension among A&M executives who were attempting to introduce the band to the American audience, leading to a rebranding as Paul Hyde and the Payola$ in 1985.
Bob Rock recounted that the band's name limited support from some industry executives; one notably remarked, "I won't lift a finger to help you." Rock explained that while Hyde originally conceived the name, he himself contributed the dollar sign.
Early years (1978–1981)
Paul Hyde, born in Yorkshire, England, relocated to Victoria, British Columbia at fifteen. He met Bob Rock while both attended Belmont Secondary School in Langford, near Victoria. Rock, who had moved from Winnipeg at age twelve, remembered their first meeting: "He had his hair all cut off... I saw this kid standing there in a long trenchcoat and shaved head and I went, 'That's a guy I wanna know.'"
Inspired by performers such as David Bowie, Slade, and T. Rex, they created the Paul Kane Blues Band and toured around Vancouver Island during the mid-1970s. In 1976, Rock began an apprenticeship as a recording engineer at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, simultaneously engaging with the local punk scene. Together with drummer Ian Tiles (from Pointed Sticks) and bassist Marty Higgs, Rock and Hyde formed the pop-punk outfit Payola$. Rock was also producing punk bands like the Young Canadians, The Dils, and Pointed Sticks.
In 1979, Payola$ independently released their debut single "China Boys" on their Slophouse label, which drew interest from A&M Records. Shortly after, Higgs and Tiles left, replaced by drummer Taylor Nelson Little and saxophonist/bassist Gary Middleclass (né Bourgeois). A four-song EP titled Introducing Payola$ was issued by A&M in 1980. That same year Middleclass departed and Lawrence Wilkins took over on bass; Lee Kelsey joined on keyboards. This formation recorded In a Place Like This in 1981—initially at Little Mountain Studios before finishing at Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec. Produced by Rock, the album incorporated elements of reggae and ska; while it earned critical praise, it did not achieve significant commercial success.
Collaboration with Mick Ronson (1982–1984)
In 1982, Chris Taylor took over drumming duties from Taylor Little, and Kelsey exited the group. This ensemble went on to record No Stranger to Danger, which was produced by the acclaimed English musician and producer Mick Ronson. Ronson had originally been considered to produce In a Place Like This, but scheduling conflicts prevented his involvement at that time.
No Stranger to Danger combined elements of reggae, dub, pop, punk, and new wave, featuring the successful single "Eyes of a Stranger," which received the Juno Award for Best Single. The band also secured Junos for songwriting (credited to Rock and Hyde), Recording Engineer of the Year (Rock), and Most Promising Group.
During their 1982 Canadian tour alongside New Zealand’s new wave outfit Split Enz, Ronson joined the band on keyboards. Following this tour, Wilkins left the group; Barry Muir contributed as a session bassist, and Christopher Livingston became the new keyboardist.
Ronson also produced their 1984 release Hammer on a Drum, which included the track "Never Said I Loved You" featuring Carole Pope from Rough Trade, reaching number 8 on Canadian charts.
Collaboration with David Foster (1985–1986)
In 1985, producer and songwriter David Foster played a key role in assembling the supergroup Northern Lights for the recording of "Tears Are Not Enough". Hyde was one of more than 50 musicians involved, while Rock participated as one of the engineers. Rock and Hyde co-wrote the song’s title and French lyrics together with Rachel Paiement.
That same year, A&M Records enlisted Foster to produce the band's subsequent album, Here's the World for Ya, with the goal of penetrating the American market. The group adopted the name Paul Hyde and the Payola$, comprising Hyde, Rock, drummer Chris Taylor, and bassist Alex "A-Train" Boynton. Songwriting contributions also came from Foster and Hyde’s then-wife, Myriam Nelson. The album and its title track garnered six Juno Award nominations across categories such as best group, album, vocalist (Hyde), sound engineer (Rock), and songwriting for both Rock and Hyde. The single "You're the Only Love" reached number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking their first entry on U.S. charts.
The album’s refined production represented a stylistic shift that distanced many long-standing fans. In 1987, Tim O'Connor from Canadian Press described it as "glossy and tight," yet not truly representative of the Payola$’ essence. Hyde acknowledged some artistic compromise during this period, while Rock recognized learning from Foster but felt that production leaned heavily in Foster’s direction.
Although it received critical acclaim, commercial performance was disappointing, leading A&M to drop the band in 1986.
Rock and Hyde Era (1987)
In 1987, the band reemerged under the name Rock and Hyde, releasing Under the Volcano through Capitol/EMI. This album marked a return to politically and socially charged themes reminiscent of early Payolas work, with Rock also serving as sound engineer. The musical style shifted towards a more pop-oriented sound compared to their previous incarnation. Under the Volcano peaked at number 24 on Canada’s top 100 albums chart.
The album received favorable reviews and produced two Canadian hits: "Dirty Water" reached number 20, while "I Will" climbed to number 40. Additionally, "Dirty Water" attained position number 61 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Later that year, capitalizing on their renewed success, A&M issued a greatest hits compilation featuring Payolas tracks titled Between a Rock and a Hyde Place: The Best of Payola$.
Hiatus (1988–2003)
Following the release of Under the Volcano, Rock transitioned into roles as a sound engineer and producer at Little Mountain Studios. He became highly sought after by hard rock and metal bands such as Loverboy, The Cult, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and David Lee Roth. Together with former Payola$ drummer Chris Taylor, Rock was part of the group Rockhead, which issued an album in 1992.
The Payola$ briefly came together again for a single performance on October 26, 1994, featuring Rock, Hyde, Boynton, and new members Matt Frenette on drums and Richard Sera on keyboards. Subsequently, Rock and Hyde embarked on individual ventures. Paul Hyde pursued a solo career, releasing four albums between 1999 and 2002. Among these was 2000's Living off the Radar, which essentially operated as a Payola$ effort with Rock serving as producer, mixer, guitarist, and co-writer. Contributions also came from Chris Taylor and Alex Boynton.
In 2002, Universal Music issued The Best of the Payola$, 20th Century Masters, The Millennium Collection, which included the track "Dirty Water" by Rock and Hyde.
Reunion (2003–2008)
In 2003, Rock and Hyde reunited for a live performance in Vancouver under The Payolas name. They released an EP called "Missing Links," containing previously unreleased Payola$ tracks and demos, some of which had appeared on Hyde’s solo records.
They reassembled once more in 2006. On July 17, 2007, they launched a seven-song EP titled Langford (Part One), with only Rock and Hyde as official members; other musicians contributed, but no former bandmates took part. Although there were announcements about a full-length album that would include some EP songs, this project never materialized.
By 2008, the band had stopped performing live, and their official website was shut down in 2009 without any formal declaration of disbandment. Later that year, Paul Hyde resumed his solo career with his fifth studio album. By 2020, Hyde had shifted his primary focus from music to visual arts. Nevertheless, during a podcast interview in 2023, Hyde disclosed ongoing collaboration with Rock on a covers album slated for future release; however, specifics regarding its branding or release date have yet to be revealed.
Studio albums
- In a Place Like This (1981)
- No Stranger to Danger (1982) (#5 Canada)
- Hammer on a Drum (1983) (#26 Canada for 5 weeks)
- Here's the World for Ya (1985) (#26 Canada for 2 weeks)
- Under the Volcano (1987) (credited as Rock and Hyde) (#24 Canada for 2 weeks)
Compilation albums
- Between a Rock and a Hyde Place: The Best of Payola$ (1987)
- 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – The Best of the Payola$ (2002)
- Missing Links (2003)
Extended plays
- Introducing Payola$ (1980)
- Langford Part One (2007)
Singles
| Year | Artist credit | Title | Peak chart Positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | AUS | US | US Rock | |||
| 1979 | Payolas | "China Boys" | — | — | — | — |
| 1981 | "Jukebox" | — | — | — | — | |
| "I'm Sorry (I Only Did It for the Money)" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982 | "Eyes of a Stranger" | 4 | 81 | — | 22 | |
| "Romance" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Soldier" | 25 | — | — | — | ||
| 1983 | Payolas with Carole Pope | "Never Said I Loved You" | 8 | — | — | — |
| "Where Is This Love" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Christmas Is Coming"/"I'll Find Another (Who Can Do It Right)" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984 | "Wild West" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1985 | Paul Hyde and the Payolas | "You're The Only Love" | 26 | — | 84 | 37 |
| "Stuck in the Rain" | 77 | — | — | — | ||
| "Here's the World" | 91 | — | — | — | ||
| "It Must Be Love" | 94 | — | — | — | ||
| 1987 | Rock and Hyde | "Dirty Water" | 20 | — | 61 | 6 |
| "I Will" | 40 | — | — | - | ||
| "Talk to Me" | ||||||
External links
- Musical groups formed in 1978
- Musical groups disbanded in 1988
- Musical groups reunited in 2003
- Musical groups dissolved in 2008
- Musical groups originating from Vancouver
- Canadian new wave bands
- Canadian alternative rock acts
- 1978 establishments in British Columbia
- 1988 disestablishments in British Columbia
- 2003 formations in British Columbia
- 2008 disbandments in British Columbia
- Juno Award winners for Single of the Year
- Juno Award recipients for Breakthrough Group of the Year
- Musical groups disestablished in 1988