I Spy (band)
Encyclopedia
I Spy was a Canadian
hardcore punk
band founded in Regina, Saskatchewan
in 1991, relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1994, and disbanded in 1996.
(known as "Todd the Rod") and "Rary", bassist Dave Guerrero (known as "Rearo"), and drummer James Ash (known as "Jimmy Juice Pig"). With a blend of childish humour and serious, radical left wing political subject matter, the band garnered a following in the Canadian punk rock scene behind several releases on Recess Records
and extensive touring. They eventually formed a sibling-like relationship with fellow Winnipeg band Propagandhi
, with whom they toured and released a split 10" record
in 1994.
Rary left the band in 1995, reducing I Spy to a three-piece in their latter days. The final lineup found bassist Sean Talarico replacing Rearo, who moved back to Regina. G7 Welcoming Committee Records
released the band's complete discography on a single CD, Perversity Is Spreading... It's About Time! This compilation includes, along with all proper studio versions, unreleased or obscure tracks and cover versions of songs by Diana Ross
and Youth of Today
. Kowalski joined Propagandhi in 1997 after the departure of bassist John K. Samson
, who left to form The Weakerthans
.
In 2002, the original four members reunited in Propagandhi singer Chris Hannah's basement studio to re-record their version of Diana Ross's "When We Grow Up" for the Somebody Needs a Timeout compilation album released by Campfire Records.
I Spy has also contributed songs to a number of compilation albums.
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...
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band founded in Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
in 1991, relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1994, and disbanded in 1996.
History
Originally called Clump (alternately Klump), the band was composed of guitarists Todd KowalskiTodd Kowalski
Todd "The Rod" Kowalski is a Canadian electric bassist and singer, currently a member of hardcore punk band Propagandhi. Along with his band, he lives a vegan lifestyle and supports animal rights.-Career:...
(known as "Todd the Rod") and "Rary", bassist Dave Guerrero (known as "Rearo"), and drummer James Ash (known as "Jimmy Juice Pig"). With a blend of childish humour and serious, radical left wing political subject matter, the band garnered a following in the Canadian punk rock scene behind several releases on Recess Records
Recess Records
Recess Records is an independent record label founded in 1989 with the release of F.Y.P's Extra Credit, an 11 song 7-inch record. Label founder Todd Congelliere originally created the label as a vehicle to release F.Y.P's material...
and extensive touring. They eventually formed a sibling-like relationship with fellow Winnipeg band Propagandhi
Propagandhi
Propagandhi is a Canadian punk band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba....
, with whom they toured and released a split 10" record
I'd Rather Be Flag-Burning
I'd Rather Be Flag-Burning is a 1995 10" split between Propagandhi and I Spy. The songs were rereleased in 1998 by G7 Welcoming Committee Records on two separate compilation albums: Propagandhi's Where Quantity Is Job #1 and I Spy's Perversity Is Spreading... It's About Time!.-Track listing:#...
in 1994.
Rary left the band in 1995, reducing I Spy to a three-piece in their latter days. The final lineup found bassist Sean Talarico replacing Rearo, who moved back to Regina. G7 Welcoming Committee Records
G7 Welcoming Committee Records
G7 Welcoming Committee Records is a Canadian independent record label started by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky of punk band Propagandhi, and their friend Regal in 1997...
released the band's complete discography on a single CD, Perversity Is Spreading... It's About Time! This compilation includes, along with all proper studio versions, unreleased or obscure tracks and cover versions of songs by Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
and Youth of Today
Youth of Today
Youth of Today is an American hardcore punk straight edge band, formed in 1985 and still in activity. The band played a major role in establishing the Youth Crew subculture of hardcore, both espousing and evolving the philosophies of the straight edge and vegetarian lifestyles.-History:Youth Of...
. Kowalski joined Propagandhi in 1997 after the departure of bassist John K. Samson
John K. Samson
John Kristjan Samson is a musician from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is a singer-songwriter and currently the frontman of the Canadian folk punk band The Weakerthans...
, who left to form The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans are a four-piece Canadian indie rock band.-History:The band was formed in 1997 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by John K. Samson, after he left the punk band Propagandhi to start a publishing company. Samson joined forces with bassist John P...
.
In 2002, the original four members reunited in Propagandhi singer Chris Hannah's basement studio to re-record their version of Diana Ross's "When We Grow Up" for the Somebody Needs a Timeout compilation album released by Campfire Records.
Discography
- 1993: Four-song demo cassette (self-released)
- 1994: I'd Rather Be Flag-BurningI'd Rather Be Flag-BurningI'd Rather Be Flag-Burning is a 1995 10" split between Propagandhi and I Spy. The songs were rereleased in 1998 by G7 Welcoming Committee Records on two separate compilation albums: Propagandhi's Where Quantity Is Job #1 and I Spy's Perversity Is Spreading... It's About Time!.-Track listing:#...
(split 10"/CD with PropagandhiPropagandhiPropagandhi is a Canadian punk band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba....
, Recess RecordsRecess RecordsRecess Records is an independent record label founded in 1989 with the release of F.Y.P's Extra Credit, an 11 song 7-inch record. Label founder Todd Congelliere originally created the label as a vehicle to release F.Y.P's material...
) - 1995: Revenge of the Little Shits (10"/CD, Recess Records)
- 1995: Split 7" with ...But Alive...But Alive...But Alive was a German punk rock band, which was founded in 1992 in Hamburg. Most of their lyrics were very political. When they announced their breakup in 1999, because of musical and personal differences, they consisted of the following members:...
(7") - 1998: Perversity Is Spreading... It's About Time! (complete discography, CD/LP, G7 Welcoming Committee RecordsG7 Welcoming Committee RecordsG7 Welcoming Committee Records is a Canadian independent record label started by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky of punk band Propagandhi, and their friend Regal in 1997...
)
I Spy has also contributed songs to a number of compilation albums.
External links
- I Spy profile at G7 Welcoming Committee RecordsG7 Welcoming Committee RecordsG7 Welcoming Committee Records is a Canadian independent record label started by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky of punk band Propagandhi, and their friend Regal in 1997...
- I Spy at Allmusic