Live Music: The Grapes of Wrath

Fans of Canadian music from the late 80s/early 90s are likely familiar with The Grapes of Wrath, whose top 10 singles and videos for songs such as “All The Things I Wasn’t”, “I Am Here”, “Peace Of Mind”, “You May Be Right”, “What Was Going Through My Head”, and “Backward Town” – not to mention heavy touring – helped earn The Grapes several several gold and platinum albums.

Guitarist Kevin Kane and drummer Chris Hooper first met in 1977 when they entered junior high school in Kelowna, BC. Chris’ younger brother, Tom Hooper, acquired a bass guitar the following year and the three started jamming in the Hooper’s basement when Kevin and Chris were both 14 years old and Tom was just 11.

They were initially inspired by a shared love of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd, but upon hearing The Sex Pistols for the first time the were immediately motivated to start writing their own songs. In 1981, the Hoopers and Kane went on their first hiatus, with Chris and Tom forming the proto-hardcore band Gentlemen of Horror and Kevin the post punk/new wave band, Empty Set.

By Spring of 1983 both bands had run their course and the Hoopers and Kane came together once again, returning to the jangly, harmony-based pop sensibilities that first inspired them.

Taking the name The Grapes of Wrath, the recorded their self-titled debut EP in the summer of 1984 and signed to the fledgling Vancouver-based independent label Nettwerk Productions, putting out their first full length LP, September Bowl Of Green, the following year. The ban then moved on to Capitol/EMI, who released the subsequent albums Treehouse (1987, Certified Gold), and the both platinum selling Now and Again (1989), an These Days (1991). Unfortunately, the relentless schedule of recording and touring across Canada, the US, and Europe would eventually take its toll on the band members, and they went their separate ways after a sold-out Halloween show in 1992.

This second hiatus – which saw the Hoopers and keyboardist Vincent Jones (added to the Grapes in 1988) go on to form the band Ginger while Kane released a few solo albums – lasted until 2010, when the three original Grapes regrouped for a festival date that summer. This was the first time they had played together in almost 18 years and they have been performing together ever since.

Hearing of the band’s reformation, Universal Music put out the best of compilation Singles in 2012, featuring two new songs, “Good To See You” and “Take On The Day”. The following year, Chris, Tom, and Kevin released their firs album of all new material in 22 years, entitled High Road, which was named for the street in Kelowna where they first played together in 1978, more than 4 years ago.

Cocktails, wine and more available for purchase.

Doors open at 7:00pm, show starts at 8:00pm.
Seating for events in the speakeasy is preassigned, not first come first served. If you would like to be seated with a group that purchased tickets separately, please include their name in the order form. You will be getting up close and personal with those around you in this fun and energetic atmosphere, so we encourage you to make new friends and enjoy your time on the dancefloor!

Ticket info: https://crownthieves.com/pages/events