The Razorbacks
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Razorbacks were a Canadian rockabilly group that achieved moderate recognition across the nation during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Celebrated for their lively performances, they frequently appeared on The Tommy Hunter Show broadcast by CBC.
History
Established in 1986, the lineup consisted of vocalist and guitarist Tony Kenny, bassist Jail House Joe, drummer Don Dekouchay, and Donny Cartwright. Their early days involved street performances and gigs throughout Toronto.
By 1988, The Razorbacks had embarked on tours throughout southern Ontario and independently launched their first album, Go to Town. Warner Records subsequently signed the band and reissued the album. Tracks such as "It's Saturday Night" made an impact on the RPM Country Singles charts, while "So Much Fun" also attracted notable attention. The group earned the CASBY Award for "Most Promising Group," outperforming contemporaries including The Tragically Hip.
Their television appearances included a role on the Super Dave show Swim Stadium (season 2, episode 9), as well as starring in their own CBC Christmas special in 1989 titled It's a Razorbacks Christmas Barbeque, which featured original festive songs and guest artist Mary Margaret O'Hara. O'Hara received a Gemini Award nomination for her contribution.
In 1997, Go to Town was re-released with four bonus tracks. More recently, in 2023, A.V.R.A. Records began issuing The Razorbacks' complete catalog digitally, incorporating previously unreleased recordings.
Albums
| Year | Album | CAN |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Go to Town | 78 |
| 1989 | Live a Little | 84 |
| 1996 | Flying Jenny | |
| 2024 | Early Rarities & Unreleased Gems |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN | |||
| 1988 | "It's Saturday Night" | 30 | 68 | Go to Town |
| 1989 | "Times Like These" | 42 | 95 | Live a Little |
Further reading
- Blake, Joseph (17 November 1988). "A Kerouac poem of sounds and feelings". Times Colonist, Victoria, BC, p.37.
- Craig, Terry (1 June 1989). "Razorbacks promise good time". Star-Phoenix, Saskatoon, SK, p.41.
- Crossley, Karen (26 August 1988). "Razorbacks in the street". The Winnipeg Sun, p.27.
- Done, Paul (27 March 1993). "The Razorbacks return to old form". Waterloo Region Record, Kitchener, ON, p.35.
- Durichen, Pauline (5 January 1989). "Razorbacks cut own niche in rock world". Waterloo Region Record, Kitchener, ON, p.54.
- Gingrich, Marina (28 October 1988). "The Razorbacks have been around". The Daily Herald-Tribune, Grande Prairie, AB, p.37.
- O'Connor, James (14 April 1989). "Hog wild!: With a follow up album due out soon, it looks like The Razorbacks' wallowing days are over". The Winnipeg Sun.
- Shaw, Ted (4 March 1988). "Razorbacks prickly but infectious". The Windsor Star, p.23.
External links
- "The Razorbacks re-releases". A.V.R.A. Record Label