Sandalspring
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Vancouver , Canada |
| Products | Folk rock music |
Sandalspring was a folk rock group from Canada, established in 1968, that played extensively in clubs throughout Vancouver until early 1970.
History
The origins of Sandalspring trace back to 1966 when Robert Anstey created The Scene alongside his brother Bruce (guitar), Soren Rasmussen (drums), Doug Hicks (bass), and Jim Fisher (lead vocals). The majority of their original songs were composed by Anstey and Fisher. Following Fisher's short period with the band, they continued performing until spring 1967, at which point Doug Hicks was replaced by Ken Ogilvie and the ensemble adopted the name Toad.
In the spring of 1968, Don Ogilvie took over Bruce Anstey’s position on lead guitar, prompting Robert Anstey to change the band's name to Sandalspring to better represent their developing musical style. January 1969 saw Soren Rasmussen's departure, succeeded by Sean Byrne on drums. Additionally, Ken Lerner joined the lineup playing saxophone and flute, introducing a jazz influence into their folk rock sound.
During 1969, Sandalspring’s manager Mark Wilson from Bill Lewis Music secured numerous bookings, including several performances at La Place teen club. They also auditioned for The Big Mother and shared the stage with Papa Bear's Medicine Show, an experience that earned them positive media attention and broadened their fan base.
Their consistent appearances at The Big Mother led to a residency at The Village Bistro, one of Vancouver’s top venues, where they performed regularly throughout 1969.
From 1969 through 1970, Sandalspring shared bills with prominent local bands such as Mock Duck, Mother Tucker's Yellow Duck, Black Snake Blues Band, Hydro-Electric Streetcar, High Flying Bird, Seeds of Time, Django, Yellow Brique Road, Tomorrow's Eyes, and Gingerbox.
In April 1970, Robert Anstey left the group due to dissatisfaction with both the band's musical direction and the broader music industry environment. As the main vocalist and songwriter, his departure resulted in the band's dissolution, with members moving on to pursue individual musical paths.
Recordings
During the summer of 1969, Sandalspring recorded demo tracks with Robin Spurgin at Vancouver Recording Studios. Although the band disbanded shortly afterward, these recordings remain in Don Ogilvie’s possession and may be considered for release in the future.