The Northern Pikes
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Jay Semko, Bryan Potvin, Merl Bryck, Glen Hollingshead |
| Headquarters | Saskatoon , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
The Northern Pikes are a rock group originating from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, established in 1984. The founding members were Jay Semko, Bryan Potvin, Merl Bryck, and Glen Hollingshead. Hollingshead departed in 1985 and was succeeded by Jay Semko in 1986. Rob Esch left the band following their second independent EP, Scene In North America.
The band remained active until 1993, then resumed both touring and recording activities from 1999 onwards. They were honored with induction into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Their ninth studio album featuring original songs, titled Forest of Love, was released on June 7, 2019.
History
Before signing with Virgin Records in 1986, The Northern Pikes issued two independent EPs: The Northern Pikes (1984) and Scene in North America (1985). Their debut album under Virgin, Big Blue Sky, included "Teenland," which became their initial significant hit penned by Semko. The subsequent album, Secrets of the Alibi, produced three Canadian charting singles: "Wait for Me," "Let's Pretend," and "Hopes Go Astray."
Their 1990 release, Snow in June, stands as their highest-selling album in both Canada and the United States. The lead track, "She Ain't Pretty", written by Potvin, achieved their greatest commercial success and its creative music video received extensive airplay on MuchMusic as well as a Juno Award nomination in 1991. Although nominated five times for Juno Awards, the band has yet to secure a win.
In 1992, they contributed "Everyone's a Hero" for the Canadian Special Olympics and later that year released Neptune, which featured Potvin's hit "Believe." Following touring activities, the group disbanded in July 1993.
Virgin Records approached them to participate in a greatest hits compilation in 1999. After releasing Hits and Assorted Secrets 1984-1993 and embarking on a promotional tour, their enthusiasm for performing independently was renewed. Since then, they have produced three independent albums: Truest Inspiration (2001), It's a Good Life (2003), and Live (2000).
Between 2005 and 2006, they collaborated with Les Stroud, resulting in the six-track EP Long Walk Home released in 2007 under the name "Les Stroud & The Pikes."
Merl Bryck decreased his touring commitments and exited the band in 2006; Ross Nykiforuk then joined as keyboardist until 2011. Since that time, Semko, Potvin, and Schmid have performed as a "power trio." In 2017, Kevin Kane joined them for the 30th Anniversary tour of Big Blue Sky and became an official member by 2018 during the creation of Forest of Love. This album represented their first collection of new material in sixteen years. Prior to its release, live-streamed concerts were held online on June 6, 2019.
Work commenced on a new album early in 2020 as a homage to Snow in June, but progress was hindered by COVID-19 restrictions; they aim to launch it by 2022.
In 2019, Semko revisited the band's 1987 single "The Things I Do for Money," re-recording it with cellists Theodor and Maximilian Aoki for Warren P. Sonoda's film soundtrack titled Things I Do for Money.
Studio albums
- 1987 – Big Blue Sky
- 1988 – Secrets of the Alibi
- 1990 – Snow in June
- 1992 – Neptune
- 2001 – Truest Inspiration
- 2003 – It's a Good Life
- 2019 – Forest of Love
- 2023 – Time to Time
Independent EPs
- 1984 – The Northern Pikes
- 1985 – Scene in North America
Joint EP
- 2007 – Les Stroud & the Pikes: Long Walk Home
Live recordings
Compilation albums
- 1999 – Hits and Assorted Secrets 1984-1993
- 2007 – Platinum
Guest appearances
- 1985 – Saskatchewan After Dark (song: "Working in My Head")
Singles
| Release date | Title | Peak chart position | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | US | |||
| June 1987 | "Teenland" (Semko) | 29 | Big Blue Sky | |
| October 1987 | "Things I Do for Money" (Semko) | 85 | ||
| January 1988 | "Dancing in a Dance Club" (Semko) | |||
| August 1988 | "Wait for Me" (Semko) | 58 | Secrets of the Alibi | |
| November 1988 | "Hopes Go Astray" (Potvin) | 45 | ||
| April 1989 | "Let's Pretend" (Semko) | 66 | ||
| May 1990 | "She Ain't Pretty" (Potvin) | 6 | 86 | Snow in June |
| August 1990 | "Girl with a Problem" (Semko) | 8 | ||
| November 1990 | "Kiss Me You Fool" (Bryck/Semko) | 12 | ||
| March 1991 | "Dream Away" (Potvin) | 47 | ||
| February 1992 | "Everyone's a Hero" (Bryck/Schmid/Semko/Potvin/Nykiforuk) | Non-album single | ||
| October 1992 | "Twister" (Semko/Potvin) | 25 | Neptune | |
| February 1993 | "Believe" (Potvin) | 17 | ||
| April 1993 | "Worlds Away" (Semko) | 40 | ||
| 2001 | "Echo Off the Beach" (Potvin) | Truest Inspiration | ||
| 2001 | "Colour into Colour" (Bryck) | |||
| 2003 | "It's a Good Life" (Semko) | It's a Good Life | ||
| 2003 | "Underwater" (Bryck) | |||