Canadian rock band
The Romaniacs |
|---|
| Origin | Canada |
|---|
| Genres | Rock |
|---|
| Years active | 1984 (1984)–1995 (1995) |
|---|
|
| Past members |
- Calvin Cairns
- Steve Bengtson
- Scott White
- William Butler
- Danny Greenspoon
- Ron Thompson
- Richard Baker
|
|---|
The Romaniacs was a Canadian rock band based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Their music combined Eastern European, Gypsy jazz, and pop.[1] They made extensive use of costumes and props, including a large map, during their live shows.[2]
History
The Romaniacs formed in 1984. They performed at first in clubs and small venues, telling an invented story of their ethnic history of the band members.[3][4][5]
The band toured extensively in Canada and the United States.They had a long stint at the Saskatchewan Pavilion at Expo 86 in Vancouver, and that year released their first recording on cassette, entitled Ethno-Fusion. The group also toured Australia in 1988, including a week-long appearance at the Canada Pavilion during the World's Fair in Brisbane.[6][7] That year they released their first album, World on Fire.[8]
In 1990 the band contributed the song "Ecstasy of the Martyr" to the compilation album Polka Comes to Your Haus.[9]
The Romaniacs disbanded in 1995.
Personnel
- Calvin Cairns (aka Myron Joseph, king romaniac) – violin
- Steve Bengtson (aka Steffy Levine) – mandolin and vocals
- Scott White – upright bass
- William (Billy) Butler – guitar
- Danny Greenspoon (aka Zoltan Flamingo Romaniac) – guitar
- Jim Vivian – upright bass
- Victor Bateman – upright bass
- Ron Thompson – guitar
- Richard Baker – guitar
Discography
- Ethno-Fusion
- World on Fire[10]
- The Ecstasy of the Martyr (a compilation released only in Japan)
References
- ^ David H. Flaherty; Frank E. Manning (1993). The Beaver Bites Back?: American Popular Culture in Canada. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 206–. ISBN 978-0-7735-1120-0.
- ^ "Romaniacs setting the world on fire". Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont., Craig MacInnis Jun 1, 1988 Page: D.1
- ^ "Mole-head musicians give Toronto the eyeball tonight". Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont. Greg Quill Jan 24, 1986 Page: D.10
- ^ "The Romaniac Brothers music played with different twist". Winnipeg Free Press, January 23, 1987 - Page 39
- ^ "Romaniacs Rock in Ethno-rhythm". Medicine Hat News via Newspaper Archives March 03, 1988 - Page 3
- ^ "Fiddle fanciers' delight continues". by Maria Kirley - Campbell River Mirror May 14, 2013
- ^ "Quartet loaded with bunk". Winnipeg Free Press Newspaper Archives May 24, 1988 - Page 38
- ^ "Legendary Lads have Real Success". Medicine Hat News via Newspaper Archives June 09, 1988 - Page 24
- ^ "Polka Comes to Your Haus". AllMusic. Review by Dave Sleger
- ^ "World on Fire". WorldCat record
Bibliography
