ABOUT US
The
story of The Yohawks dates back to the days of the “British Invasion”,
just before the Summer of Love, and long before commercial radio became
formatted for specific music genres and listener demographics. “Back in
the day” bands would book four hours of studio time in Montreal (Ottawa
didn’t have a professional studio then) and record an A side and a
couple of B sides, send the master off to the Smiths Falls RCA pressing
plant, and hear themselves on CFRA, CKOY, or CJET two weeks later.
THE PLAYERS
In
the late sixties, as part of the Five D, an Ottawa band which enjoyed
success throughout eastern Ontario, Dave Poulin, Brian Bradfield, Brad
Campbell and Keith Richardson formed a lasting friendship that,
forty-two years later, has resulted in their first album of fresh,
original songs. While each member went on to other musical endeavors
after the Five D, it’s only now that time and technology has allowed
the group to explore their collective creativity without any
constraints.
THE PROCESS
It
was Brian’s suggestion a few years back that the boys get together to
jam. As the owner of the recording facility studioNINE, Dave suggested
that there be a purpose to these jams and proposed that everyone
present their original material to work on as a group. These weekly
get-togethers produced over twenty new songs which were finally pared
down to the twelve cuts that appear on the album. As the project neared
completion, it became apparent that a first class horn section - with
world class arrangements, was the final touch needed to finish off this
five year labour of love.
The NAME
It
was appropriate to find a new identity for this project, as the
material in no way resembles the “bubble gum” sound of Ottawa’s first
“boy band”. After several attempts at finding a name (some funny, some
rude) the band settled on The Yohawks. The name has a special meaning
and a history in Ottawa. In the late sixties, a Yohawk was a person who
dressed with a certain style; sneakers, desert boots or penny loafers,
with a plaid, madras or paisley shirt and tight fitting chinos. On the
other side were The Squirrels. With their jet boots, greasy hair and
jean jackets they presented a tough façade. This was Ottawa’s version
of “Mods” and “Rockers”, and the first recorded gangs in the city.
The NEXT CHAPTER
The
Yohawks are busy presenting their new material to the public.
A series of live performances is being scheduled to promote the album throughout the spring and summer of 2009.