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Rheostatics

From Alfawiki
Rheostatics
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1978
Headquarters
Etobicoke, Ontario
,
Canada
ProductsIndie rock music, albums, live performances

Rheostatics are a Canadian indie rock group that originated in 1978 and were active from 1980 until their breakup in 2007. They reunited in late 2016, introducing new material and performing occasionally.

Although their only Top 40 single was "Claire" (1995), Rheostatics stood out as one of Canada’s most distinctive and influential rock ensembles, celebrated for their diverse blend of pop and rock styles. Their albums Whale Music and Melville are often regarded among the finest Canadian records ever produced.

Early years

The band was established in Etobicoke, Ontario in 1978, with their debut performance at The Edge in February 1980. The founding members were guitarist Dave Bidini, bassist Tim Vesely, drummer Rod Westlake, and keyboardist Dave Crosby. Westlake was quickly succeeded by Dave Clark, while Crosby departed in 1981. At the time, the members were teenagers who needed special permits to perform live.

Initially, Rheostatics’ musical style leaned toward R&B and funk, supported by a horn section known as The Trans-Canada Soul Patrol between 1983 and 1985. After the horn players left, Martin Tielli joined the lineup; he and Clark had previously collaborated in Water Tower.

During the early 1980s, Rheostatics independently released singles and a three-track demo titled Canadian Dream. Their single "The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Parts 1 & 2" became popular on college radio stations. In 1987, these tracks were compiled into their first album, Greatest Hits, which was initially limited to 1,000 copies before being reissued in 1996. The band also played a role in revitalizing Canadian country legend Stompin' Tom Connors by featuring him in a Toronto newspaper following their surprise attendance at his birthday celebration.

At the close of 1988, Martin Tielli departed, prompting a brief split. During this hiatus, Bidini and Clark performed with the reassembled Three O'Clock Train. By 1990, Rheostatics reunited with the mid-1988 lineup intact: Bidini, Clark, Tielli, and Vesely.

Classic era

In 1991, Rheostatics signed with independent label Intrepid Records and released Melville. The track "Record Body Count" received considerable airplay on radio and MuchMusic. The album also featured a cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald".

The following year, they joined Sire Records and issued Whale Music, inspired by the novel of the same name by Paul Quarrington. Quarrington selected the band to create the soundtrack for the film adaptation, resulting in Music from the Motion Picture Whale Music in 1994—two similarly titled albums within their discography.

The soundtrack’s standout track was "Claire," a romantic ballad that became Rheostatics’ sole Top 40 success and won a Genie Award for Best Original Song in 1994. "Claire" also appeared on their 1994 release Introducing Happiness, which marked the end of their tenure with Sire Records due to difficulties the label faced in marketing them.

Introducing Happiness was also Dave Clark’s final album with Rheostatics; he left to concentrate on his own project, The Dinner Is Ruined. Clark expressed unease with the mainstream popularity of "Claire" and concerns about the band's direction. Conversely, Tielli pointed out the irony that "Claire" was deliberately designed as a hit.

Don Kerr replaced Clark and made his first appearance during an unannounced show at the Horseshoe Tavern in March 1995. That same year, Rheostatics toured alongside The Tragically Hip as part of the Another Roadside Attraction festival.

Later in 1995, the band was commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada to compose music for an exhibition honoring the Group of Seven’s 75th anniversary. Collaborating with pianist Kevin Hearn (later of Barenaked Ladies) and hip hop ensemble Farm Fresh, they released Music Inspired by the Group of Seven on independent label DROG Records. Due to Hearn’s illness, Bob Wiseman performed at the event held at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Rheostatics also served as opening act for The Tragically Hip during their Trouble at the Henhouse tour, which culminated in the live album Live Between Us (1997). The Tragically Hip’s frontman Gordon Downie dedicated the opening track to Rheostatics, acknowledging their influence.

In 1996, Rheostatics released The Blue Hysteria, featuring "Bad Time to Be Poor," a song critical of Ontario’s government under Premier Mike Harris.

Their 1997 live album Double Live documented performances ranging from intimate store appearances to large arena shows during their tour with The Tragically Hip. It enjoyed popularity on campus radio and remains highly regarded by fans.

Later years

On August 31, 1997, the band delivered a live performance for the concluding episode of Night Lines, a music program aired on CBC Radio Two. Selections from this session were later issued in 1998 as the album The Nightlines Sessions.

In 1999, Rheostatics unveiled The Story of Harmelodia, an album inspired by a children's tale authored by Bidini. The narrative, voiced by Bidini’s spouse Janet Morassutti, chronicles the journey of Dot and Bug traveling from Harmelodia to Popopolis. This release came accompanied by a book featuring illustrations by Tielli and showcased notable input from Hearn and producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda, both credited as part of the band lineup.

The group’s 2001 album, Night of the Shooting Stars, was launched via Perimeter Records. Although Kerr contributed to the recording, he exited prior to its release to concentrate on Gas Station Recording Studios and his involvement with Ron Sexsmith’s ensemble; Wojewoda stepped in as his replacement.

Later that same year, Rheostatics reinstated their week-long residency at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern, performing for eleven straight nights. These concerts were captured on their sole DVD release, 2003’s Maple Serum: Rheostatics Live at the Horseshoe Tavern. The annual "Fall Nationals" event persisted for three years, with performances from 2004 compiled into the digital-only album Calling Out the Chords, Vol. 1 released in 2005.

Their tenth studio effort, 2067, debuted in autumn 2004 under True North Records, followed by a digital single titled "Pornography."

Two live albums emerged in 2005: The Whale Music Concert, 1992 and the digital-exclusive Calling Out the Chords, Vol. 1.

On March 30, 2012, commemorating five years since their last Massey Hall performance, Rheostatics issued Green Sprouts Music Week 1993, a live recording derived from their inaugural Green Sprouts Music Week residency at Toronto’s Ultrasound Showbar. Additionally, live singles "Record Body Count" and "Woodstuck" were distributed digitally and promoted through radio channels.

Breakup and final show

Tim Vesely announced his departure from Rheostatics on September 8, 2006, intending to prioritize his side project The Violet Archers. Bidini revealed that Vesely had initially indicated his plans following concerts in Calgary earlier that year in January.

Bidini and Tielli contemplated continuing with Wojewoda and keyboardist Ford Pier, but Wojewoda opted not to commit fully. Media outlets confirmed that the group would disband following Vesely’s exit.

After Vesely’s announcement, Bidini embarked on a solo tour which he chronicled in his 2007 publication Around the World in 57½ Gigs.

On March 16, 2007, Canadian online label Zunior unexpectedly released a tribute album titled The Secret Sessions honoring Rheostatics.

The band’s final performance occurred on March 30, 2007, at Toronto’s Massey Hall, their most prominent headlining venue. This concert was recorded for CBC Radio Two’s Canada Live, with broadcasts airing on April 7 and December 6. Ford Pier filled in for Vesely during some performances between the departure announcement and this concluding show.

Following the breakup, Bidini and Tielli collaborated on the musical theatre production Five Hole: Tales of Hockey Erotica alongside One Yellow Rabbit. The soundtrack—performed by Bidini, Tielli, Pier, Selina Martin, and Barry Mirochnick—was released in February 2009 through Zunior. Vesely and Wojewoda contributed to two tracks on this project.

Reunions

On October 24, 2009, Rheostatics came together to perform at a tribute event dedicated to the late author Paul Quarrington, shortly after his diagnosis with lung cancer. The lineup featured Bidini, Clark, Hearn, Kerr, Tielli, and Vesely, who played two songs, with Bidini also serving as the event's host.

The group planned a trio of reunion shows scheduled for December 5–6, 2012, at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern in celebration of its 65th anniversary, featuring Bidini, Clark, Tielli, and Vesely. However, these concerts were called off just over a week before the dates due to Tielli experiencing stage fright.

On April 12, 2014, Rheostatics—comprising Bidini, Kerr, Tielli, and Vesely—joined forces with Bidiniband and special guests to perform at the 2nd Annual Stompin' Tom Memorial Show held at the Horseshoe Tavern.

Between September 4 and 6, 2015, Rheostatics (Bidini, Kerr, Tielli, Vesely), accompanied by Kevin Hearn and guest Hugh Marsh, delivered a full rendition of Music Inspired by the Group of Seven at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Additionally, they surprised audiences with an unannounced nine-song set on September 3 during a tribute concert and made an appearance at an after-party on September 7.

On April 29, 2016, the band (Bidini, Kerr, Tielli, Vesely) alongside Kevin Hearn and Hugh Marsh performed at Massey Hall following a warm-up gig on April 24 at Waterloo’s Starlight Social Club.

Later that year, they headlined the Harvest Picnic festival at Christie Lake on August 27 and appeared at the Toronto Urban Roots Festival (TURF) on September 18 featuring the same ensemble.

Reforming

Rheostatics returned to the stage on December 9 and 10, 2016, at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern with members Bidini, Clark, Tielli, Vesely, Hearn, and Marsh. During these shows they introduced five new compositions: "Mountains and the Sea" (Bidini), "Music is the Message" (Vesely), "Chemical Valley" (Hearn), "Albatross" (Tielli), and "It's the Super Controller!" (Clark). With Dave Clark resuming drumming duties and fresh material from all participants, this marked a renewed period of occasional performances.

The band appeared on January 1, 2017, for The Hip 30, a special tribute episode dedicated to The Tragically Hip on CBC Radio 2's The Strombo Show, where they performed their rendition of "Bobcaygeon".

In June 2018, Rheostatics commenced recording sessions for a new album. Their twelfth studio release and first collection of original songs in fourteen years, Here Come the Wolves, was unveiled on September 6, 2019.

Recording for The Great Lakes Suite began in August 2024 with members Bidini, Clark, Hearn, Kerr, Marsh, and Vesely. The project featured contributions from Alex Lifeson, Tanya Tagaq, Chief Stacey LaForme, Laurie Anderson, Anne Carson, and Liz Howard. Entirely improvised live over four days in the studio, the album was released on November 21, 2025. Its launch included a Toronto concert showcasing Lifeson and Hugh Marsh, complemented by multimedia presentations from Nicholas de Pencier and Jennifer Baichwal.

Style

Rheostatics cultivated an eclectic sound that reflected each member’s unique musical background. Tielli gravitated toward progressive rock and folk rock, while Bidini brought elements of quirky humour alongside influences from new wave. Vesely preferred accessible pop-rock styles—his tracks such as "Claire" and "Bad Time to Be Poor" received significant radio play—and Clark contributed songs with punk undertones.

While this stylistic variety attracted a diverse audience base, it posed challenges for major label marketing efforts; some later releases like Introducing Happiness were perceived more as compilations than unified albums. In 1997 Bobby Baker of The Tragically Hip remarked that Rheostatics might be "a little too good for their own good."

Critical reception

In a 1996 reader survey conducted by Chart that ranked the top 100 Canadian albums, Whale Music secured the fifth position, following Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, The Tragically Hip, and Sloan. Their album Melville was placed sixteenth in the same poll. A subsequent poll in 2000 saw Whale Music advance to fourth place, with Melville rising to fifth. By 2005, Whale Music had dropped to tenth—remaining one of only six albums to appear in the top ten across all three polls—while Melville was positioned at 44th. Notably, only Neil Young had two albums ranked within the top five during all three surveys that year.

According to Bob Mersereau's 2007 publication The Top 100 Canadian Albums, Whale Music was ranked nineteenth and Melville came in at 38th.

In June 2009, Rheostatics alongside Eric's Trip were honored as the inaugural inductees into Zunior's Independent Music Hall of Fame. The official group illustration by Trevor Waurechen includes Bidini, Clark, Hearn, Kerr, Tielli, Vesely, and Wojewoda.

Legacy

Australian author Patrick Holland acknowledged that the 'gas station' episode in his novel The Mary Smokes Boys drew inspiration from the song 'Self Serve Gas Station' by Whale Music.

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Double Live, 1997
  • The Whale Music Concert, 1992, released in 2005
  • Calling Out the Chords, Vol. 1, 2005
  • Green Sprouts Music Week 1993, issued in 2012
  • Brave New Waves Session, released in 2017

Other releases

  • My Generation/Satellite Dancing, 1981, 7" vinyl single
  • Rheostatics TV, Vol. 1, VHS, 1998
  • Rheostatics TV, Vol. 2, VHS, 1998
  • Maple Serum: Rheostatics Live at the Horseshoe Tavern, DVD, 2003
  • Pornography, digital audio release, 2004

Compilation inclusions

  • SMASH '83, featuring "Thank You", 1983
  • Brave New Waves, including "Dope Fiends and Boozehounds", 1991
  • Moose: The Compilation, with "Woodstuck", 1991
  • Borrowed Tunes, featuring "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" alongside The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, 1994
  • Truck Songs: Volume 1, including "Secret Red Canoe", 1995
  • Big Wheelz 98, with a live version of "Record Body Count", 1998
  • CBC Radio 3 Sessions, Vol. 1, featuring "Harmelodia (Easy to Be with You)", 2004
  • The Rough Guide to the Music of Canada, including "Seven/Northern Wish", 2005
  • ... A Compilation for Reach for the Rainbow, with "Soul Glue (Rheostar Version)", 2005
  • Brampton Indie Arts Festival, Vol. 1: The Suburban Manifesto, featuring "Technosoulglue", released in 2007
  • Superhero Suite, including "Waiting for a Superman", issued in 2019

External links

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