Deja Voodoo (Canadian band)
Encyclopedia
Déjà Voodoo was formed by Gerard van Herk
(guitar and singing) and his friend Tony Dewald (drums). Combining 1950s horror imagery with rockabilly and country musical influences they created a sound which gained them a unique standing amongst Canadian artists. Van Herk's guitar only had the top four strings and he sang in a deep voice, whilst Dewald's drum kit had no cymbals, which resulted in a low-treble rock style they termed "sludgeabilly." The band toured in Canada, the United States and even Europe. Déjà Voodoo even managed to encourage other artists in Canada
to form bands along similar musical styles. In Canada, the band was most renowned for live performances its annual “Voodoo BBQ’s,” the last of which was held on June 23, 2006.
. An American punk band “The Cramps” had managed to achieve a degree of success in the late 70’s with their own gothic look. As Deja Voodoo was embarking on its first performances, Montreal was receiving an influx of immigrants from Western Canada and independent record labels were starting to spring up. In turn numerous amounts of niche bands began to appear across the city. As a result of an over saturated market Déjà Voodoo struggled to find an audience in its first year. While they remained popular locally in Montreal
it wasn’t until 1982 that the two-man band began to see interest outside of the Quebec
area, particularly in Toronto
.
series. Five of these titles were released between 1985 and 1989. Some of the artists in the compilation CD’s included other Montreal hits like Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra
, Terminal Sunglasses and The Gruesomes
. In its seven year life span Og Records released twenty nine albums. The last of which being a recording of Deja Voodoo’s performance in Finland
.
and Eastern Canada, however later they branched out to Western Canada going as far as Edmonton
. Most interesting though is that Déjà Voodoo was able to embark on several European tours primarily in Greece and Finland. Despite the audience’s relatively small exposure to Canadian music, Déjà Voodoo managed to create a strong cult following, especially in Scandinavia, a feat which at that time no other underground Canadian artists had managed to achieve. In Canada, they did manage to get semi-regular airplay on CBC radio's overnight Brave New Waves
program. As Déjà Voodoo’s popularity grew and other bands continued to sign on with Og records, Gerard and Tony started putting on popular indoor events, each December called “Voodoo BBQ’s”. Often held in Montreal, these massive public shows put on by Déjà Voodoo and other bands signed on to Og records often drew large crowds and were well received by critics. The last Voodoo BBQ was held in Toronto in 2008 as a kind of reunion show.
professor, and for the last 20 years Tony has worked as a brewer on the West Coast and currently is employed by Lotusland Vineyards. Despite their brief existence, Déjà Voodoo vastly contributed to Canadian music by increasing the Canadian public’s exposure to alternative styles of music.
Gerard van Herk
Gerard van Herk, originally from the Montreal suburb of Chambly, was the singer and guitarist for the Montreal band Deja Voodoo in the 1980s. In 1983 he co-founded Og Music with Tony Dewald, a record label also based out of Montreal that was notable for providing early exposure to groups that would...
(guitar and singing) and his friend Tony Dewald (drums). Combining 1950s horror imagery with rockabilly and country musical influences they created a sound which gained them a unique standing amongst Canadian artists. Van Herk's guitar only had the top four strings and he sang in a deep voice, whilst Dewald's drum kit had no cymbals, which resulted in a low-treble rock style they termed "sludgeabilly." The band toured in Canada, the United States and even Europe. Déjà Voodoo even managed to encourage other artists in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to form bands along similar musical styles. In Canada, the band was most renowned for live performances its annual “Voodoo BBQ’s,” the last of which was held on June 23, 2006.
Early days
Both born in the Sixties, Gerard and Tony both grew up in Montreal. During the 70’s both men went to several concerts for local punk groups. In 1981, the two joined together to form Deja Voodoo. Their music generally consisted of short songs influenced by rockabilly and punk artists. Another major influence was a band by the name of The CrampsThe Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
. An American punk band “The Cramps” had managed to achieve a degree of success in the late 70’s with their own gothic look. As Deja Voodoo was embarking on its first performances, Montreal was receiving an influx of immigrants from Western Canada and independent record labels were starting to spring up. In turn numerous amounts of niche bands began to appear across the city. As a result of an over saturated market Déjà Voodoo struggled to find an audience in its first year. While they remained popular locally in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
it wasn’t until 1982 that the two-man band began to see interest outside of the Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
area, particularly in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
OG Records
The turning point for Déjà Voodoo came with Gerard and Toni’s creation of Og Records in 1983. Named after a fictional caveman the independent label allowed for Deja Voodoo to control its own distribution. The first record released by Og records was Deja Voodoo’s “Gumbo”. The album sold relatively well in Montreal independent scene but failed to penetrate the mainstream market. This would later be rectified with the release of Deja Voodoo’s third album “Cemetery” in 1984. Cemetery was the first Deja Voodoo album to be sold in vinyl form, selling widely across Canada and even to some small in the US and Europe. As well as launching their own careers, Gerard and Tony used Og records as a way for like minded artists a venue to publish what was being referred to as unique “sludge-a-billy” sounds. Og records continuously received tapes from other underground Canadian artists and routinely released compilation CDs in the It Came from CanadaIt Came from Canada
It Came from Canada was a series of compilation albums, released on Og Music in the 1980s, which featured music by independent, alternative and punk bands from Canada....
series. Five of these titles were released between 1985 and 1989. Some of the artists in the compilation CD’s included other Montreal hits like Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra
Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra
Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra is a Canadian alternative rock band whose musical style blends elements of surf music, gospel music, rockabilly, garage, and punk. The band also experimented with jazz on their third album Don't Mind If I Do....
, Terminal Sunglasses and The Gruesomes
The Gruesomes
The Gruesomes are a Canadian Garage Punk band formed in 1985 from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-History:Bobby Beaton , Gerry Alvarez , John Davis and his brother Eric Davis were all between the ages of 16 and 19 and had absolutely no previous musical experience...
. In its seven year life span Og Records released twenty nine albums. The last of which being a recording of Deja Voodoo’s performance in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
Tours and career
Once Og Records took off, Déjà Voodoo started touring in across Canada. At first focusing on OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and Eastern Canada, however later they branched out to Western Canada going as far as Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
. Most interesting though is that Déjà Voodoo was able to embark on several European tours primarily in Greece and Finland. Despite the audience’s relatively small exposure to Canadian music, Déjà Voodoo managed to create a strong cult following, especially in Scandinavia, a feat which at that time no other underground Canadian artists had managed to achieve. In Canada, they did manage to get semi-regular airplay on CBC radio's overnight Brave New Waves
Brave New Waves
Brave New Waves was a Canadian radio program which aired on CBC Stereo, later known as CBC Radio 2, from 1984 to 2007. Airing weeknights from midnight to 4 a.m., the show profiled alternative and indie music and culture, including film, comics, literature and art...
program. As Déjà Voodoo’s popularity grew and other bands continued to sign on with Og records, Gerard and Tony started putting on popular indoor events, each December called “Voodoo BBQ’s”. Often held in Montreal, these massive public shows put on by Déjà Voodoo and other bands signed on to Og records often drew large crowds and were well received by critics. The last Voodoo BBQ was held in Toronto in 2008 as a kind of reunion show.
Conclusion
Despite their relative success Déjà Voodoo never managed to break into the mainstream markets and by 1990 both Gerard and Tony decided to split up Déjà Voodoo. Both men had reached their thirties and were interested in pursuing other careers. As well both members decided to sell Og records that same year. Since then Gerard has gone to become a university linguisticsLinguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
professor, and for the last 20 years Tony has worked as a brewer on the West Coast and currently is employed by Lotusland Vineyards. Despite their brief existence, Déjà Voodoo vastly contributed to Canadian music by increasing the Canadian public’s exposure to alternative styles of music.
Albums
- CemeteryCemetery (Album)Cemetery was the first LP release by the Montreal-based Canadian garage-rock band Deja Voodoo. The album was recorded in Studio Secret, save for the title track, which was recorded "in Bob's basement".-Track listing:#"Things with You"...
(1984) (Og Music) - Too Cool to Live, Too Smart to Die (1985) (Og Music)
- Swamp of Love (1986) (Og Music)
- The Worst of Deja VoodooThe Worst of Deja VoodooThe Worst of Deja Voodoo was a collection of singles, outtakes and oddities by the Montreal-based Canadian garage-rock band Deja Voodoo.-Track listing:#Monsters In My Garage#More Songs About Monsters And Food#Feed That Thing...
(1987) (Og Music) - Big Pile of Mud (1988) (Og Music)
- Live at The Backstage Club, Helsinki Finland (1990) (Og Music)
Singles
- "Monsters in My Garage" (1982) (Og Music)
- "Cemetery" (1984) (Og Music)
- "Too Cool to Live, Too Smart to Die" (1985) (Midnight International)
- "Hiekkaa Hietarannan" (1988) (Gaga Goodies)
Appearances on compilations
- From Montreal (1983)
- It Came from Canada, Vol. 1It Came from Canada, Vol. 1It Came from Canada, Vol. 1 was the first album in the It Came from Canada series of compilation albums, released in 1985 on Og Music.-Track listing:# Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra, "Radical Look/Bad Idea"...
(1985) (Og Music) - It Came from Canada, Vol. 2It Came from Canada, Vol. 2It Came from Canada, Vol. 2 was the second album in the It Came from Canada series of compilation albums, released in 1986 on Og Music.-Track listing:# Ray Condo & His Hard Rock Goners, "High Voltage"# Condition, "Ghost Train"...
(1986) (Og Music) - 50th birthday tribute to Buddy Holly (1986) cassette (hipocket records)
External links
- Deja Voodoo MySpace page
- Barry, Chris. “Sludge Report”. Montreal Mirror, Oct 20-26 2005. Vol. 21, No.18. (accessed Oct 10, 2008)]
- http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=5&csid2=779&fid1=452 (accessed Oct 10, 2008)