An Unappreciated Classic



.: The Stand GT, circa '93 :.

I stumbled on this post today about The Stand GT's first record, They're Magically Delicious and I gotta tell you, it kinda made my day.

The fact the review/reflection is positioned under a mini-series titled 'Unappreciated Classics' seems incredibly poignant and timely. (As an aside, one might argue The Stand GT's entire career could fall under a similar heading...though some would rightly take the term 'classic' tongue firmly stuck in cheek).

You see, two recent publications have come to light in this country that reflect on the time period our band was extremely active. We were mounting long, cross country/continent tours at that time, releasing records in multiple countries and generally busting our young broke asses.

The first book, Have Not Been The Same (Redux) is a colossal account (800 pages!) of all the incredible music this country produced from 1985 to 1995. Despite in depth accounts of so many pockets of great music scenes Canada produced in that time, there is not so much as a mention of The Stand GT. I remember feeling incredibly bummed to not be included in this extensive document when it originally surfaced 10 years ago.

But hey, I suppose it's a big country and I wouldn't exactly call 'Glengarry' a burgeoning indie music scene in the late 80s and early 90s. Can you say 'off the radar'?

The second new publication is a celebration of Mint Records called 'Fresh at Twenty'. I was interviewed for the book and - more hindsight - I get a huge kick out of how we were one quick power chord away from having a full length record on one of our favourite labels (though I'm super proud of the 7" we did for Mint).

I suppose we could point to misunderstandings, disorganization, lack of communication, alcohol and/or geography for the missed opportunity, but I guess ultimately things just plain ol' happen, or don't, for a reason.

After all, it certainly was another time, another place.

But indeed those were magic times. I don't need to remind you we're talking pre-cell phone, pre-internet, pre-email, pre-social everything, yet four rural Ontario kids found a way to crisscross the continent multiple times, release a pile of records internationally...all while staying put where we probably rightfully belonged...deep in the underground.

Maybe in this age of hyper communication it's easier to get good records heard and let them have a chance to live on and be cherished in more than just a handful of indie music fans' collections.

Or maybe the cream truly does rise to the top...regardless of day and age.

Either way, thank you 'binky'.


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