Vital Sines
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, EPs |
Vital Sines was a Toronto-based Canadian band active between 1980 and 1988, known for their post-punk and new wave sound. Their most notable achievement is the single Collage, which is regarded as a seminal track in the landscape of Canadian alternative rock.
History
Initially performing in Toronto's punk circuit under the name 'The Offenders', the group underwent a transformation after drummer Scott Taylor's departure, adopting the name Vital Sines. In 1981, they independently released the single "Subway Suicide". The band also occasionally performed as "Tryfono & The Heat Resistant Sheep", serving as an opening act for more established artists.
After replacing Chris Weekes with drummer Mike Clarke, the band's musical direction shifted. Their 1982 cassette album, Rhythms In Dark, featuring seven tracks, achieved moderate local acclaim and encouraged them to pursue a vinyl release.
By 1984, Vital Sines unveiled the four-song EP Collage, marking a stylistic move away from their punk origins toward textured guitar arrangements influenced by artists like Brian Eno and Killing Joke. Their vocal delivery and lyrical themes echoed the introspective qualities found in Simple Minds and Gang of Four. The title track "Collage" garnered extensive airplay on CFNY-FM and quickly sold out.
David Ross, who contributed to the EP's production, later joined UK-based Midnight Records. This label reissued Collage in 1985, accompanied by a music video. The re-release achieved sales in the tens of thousands within Toronto and led to CFNY U-Know award nominations for both the song and its video.
The popularity of Collage secured Vital Sines opening performances for notable bands such as Shriekback, Hunters & Collectors, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Love and Rockets.
Working from their home studio dubbed "Rhythms in Darkness", they recorded demos that would be refined for their next release, Big Dark Dreams. In 1985, additional recording sessions took place at Daniel Lanois' Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton and Comfort Sound in Toronto. To fund these studio sessions, much of their home recording equipment was sold. During this period, guitarist Gord Wilson left the band and was succeeded by Kurt Swinghammer.
The six-track EP Big Dark Dreams, launched in late 1986 through punk label Fringe Product, featured the CFNY hit "Break These Chains", which was supported by a music video released in 1987. Fringe Product also handled another sold-out pressing of Collage.
This wave of success enabled tours across college venues in the eastern United States. However, by May 1987, both Swinghammer and drummer Glenn Milchem departed—Milchem moving on to collaborate with Andrew Cash and Blue Rodeo. The remaining members Rick Winkle, Terry Michaelson, and James Grey continued touring with new recruits Gary Alexander and Tony Klinakis until the group dissolved following their 1988 US tour.
External links
- Vital Sines "Collage", original promotional video