The Haunted (Canadian band)
Encyclopedia
The Haunted were a garage rock
band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
. The band was formed by Jurgen Peter (guitar) in 1965, and went on to release several records before finally disbanding in 1971. They were among the first Canadian bands to achieve a level of success in their musical genre.
The band's first big break came after winning a Battle Of The Bands
at the Montreal Forum
in 1965, beating such competitors as David Clayton-Thomas
and the Shays. The first prize was studio time that they used to record the two songs on their first single
, "1-2-5", with "Eight O'Clock This Morning" as the B-side
. The first pressing of this record had the band name misprinted as "The Hunted." Ironically, the later pressings with the band's name correctly spelt, are now more difficult to locate.
The single achieved substantial local success, making the Canadian version of the national charts (RPM Weekly Magazone) and enough attention in the US
to attract a US pressing of the single on the Amy record label
. Several more singles, as well as a self-titled album
over the next two years, served to increase their popularity. Their final single, "Vapeur Mauve" is a French language
version of Jimi Hendrix
's "Purple Haze
".
The band grew to be one of the most in demand bands in Canada for the balance of the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Peter decided to fold the band in 1971, commenting as follows: "We were the most sought after and highest paid Canadian band for many years. When I folded the band in 1971, I had to cancel a whole year of advance bookings and it cost me a fortune in lawyer's fees to get out of some of them." At the time of the breakup, the band had a loyal fan club
with thousands of members.
Subsequent to the breakup of the band, control of the band's name appears to have been lost. As of 1996, the name is most closely associated with a Swedish heavy metal
band.
, on their Voxx label released two albums of music by The Haunted in 1983, in their series 'Rough Diamonds' on garage bands having more than just a few songs available. A 22-song CD called The Haunted was released by Voxx in 1995.
In 2009, the Quebec based reissue label, Hungry For Vinyl, re-issued the 1967 Trans-World LP. This is the first legitimate re-issue of the album in its original form. The pressing was limited to 1000 copies.
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band from Montreal, Quebec, 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...
. The band was formed by Jurgen Peter (guitar) in 1965, and went on to release several records before finally disbanding in 1971. They were among the first Canadian bands to achieve a level of success in their musical genre.
Band history
In 1965, Jurgen Peter joined up with Bob Burgess (vocals), Al Birmingham (lead guitar), Glenn Holmes (bass), (Rick Broden Bass for 6 months)and Peter Symes (drums) to form The Haunted. Besides Peter, the other constant band member through most of its six year history was Birmingham. The band membership that recorded the band's best known song, "1-2-5" was composed of Birmingham (lead guitar), Peter (rhythm guitar), Burgess (vocals), Mason Shea (bass) and Dave Wynne (drums).The band's first big break came after winning a Battle Of The Bands
Battle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
at the Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
in 1965, beating such competitors as David Clayton-Thomas
David Clayton-Thomas
David Clayton-Thomas is a Canadian musician and singer best known as the lead vocalist for the American band; Blood, Sweat & Tears...
and the Shays. The first prize was studio time that they used to record the two songs on their first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "1-2-5", with "Eight O'Clock This Morning" as the B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
. The first pressing of this record had the band name misprinted as "The Hunted." Ironically, the later pressings with the band's name correctly spelt, are now more difficult to locate.
The single achieved substantial local success, making the Canadian version of the national charts (RPM Weekly Magazone) and enough attention in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to attract a US pressing of the single on the Amy record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. Several more singles, as well as a self-titled album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
over the next two years, served to increase their popularity. Their final single, "Vapeur Mauve" is a French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
version of Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
's "Purple Haze
Purple Haze
"Purple Haze" is a song written in 1966 and recorded in 1967 by The Jimi Hendrix Experience and released as a single in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It appeared on their 1967 album Are You Experienced...
".
The band grew to be one of the most in demand bands in Canada for the balance of the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Peter decided to fold the band in 1971, commenting as follows: "We were the most sought after and highest paid Canadian band for many years. When I folded the band in 1971, I had to cancel a whole year of advance bookings and it cost me a fortune in lawyer's fees to get out of some of them." At the time of the breakup, the band had a loyal fan club
Fan club
A fan club is a group that is dedicated to a well-known person, group, idea or sometimes even an inanimate object . Most fan clubs are run by fans who devote considerable time and resources to supporting them. There are also "official" fan clubs that are run by someone associated with the person...
with thousands of members.
Subsequent to the breakup of the band, control of the band's name appears to have been lost. As of 1996, the name is most closely associated with a Swedish heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band.
Reissues
Bomp!Bomp! Records
Bomp! Records is an Los Angeles-based indie label formed in 1974 by fanzine publisher and music historian Greg Shaw.-History:The label has featured punk, pop, powerpop, garage rock, new wave, old school rock, neo-psychedelia among other genres, and its roster has included artists such as The Modern...
, on their Voxx label released two albums of music by The Haunted in 1983, in their series 'Rough Diamonds' on garage bands having more than just a few songs available. A 22-song CD called The Haunted was released by Voxx in 1995.
In 2009, the Quebec based reissue label, Hungry For Vinyl, re-issued the 1967 Trans-World LP. This is the first legitimate re-issue of the album in its original form. The pressing was limited to 1000 copies.
Albums
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1967 | The Haunted | Trans-World 6701 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1966 | "1-2-5" / "Eight O'Clock In The Morning" | Quality 1814 (Can) / Amy 959 (US) |
| 1966 | "I Can Only Give You Everything" / "No More Lovin'" | Quality 1840 |
| 1967 | "Searching For My Baby" / "A Message To Pretty" | Trans-World 1674 |
| 1967 | "Come On Home" / "Out Of Time" | Trans-World 1682 |
| 1968 | "Land Of Make Believe" / "An Act Of Leisure" | Trans-World 1702 |
| 1968 | "Mona" / "I'm Gonna Blow My Little Mind To Bits" | Jet 4002 |
| 1968 | "Vapeur Mauve" | Marque XII 7001 |
External links
- The Haunted official website
- Canuckistan Music: review of The Haunted LP
- Canuckistan Music: review of 1-2-5
- Hungry For Vinyl Records