Album flashback

The Grapes Of Wrath - Treehouse [1987]

Originally connecting in Kelowna, British Columbia [the Okanagan region] in 1977, Kevin Kane and brothers Chris and Tom Hooper comprise The Grapes Of Wrath.

The trio’s early days saw them try a few styles, and a few names - including their punk incarnation Kill Pig and their one-off cover show as Honda Civic.

Settling on the Grapes name in 1983, they self-funded a demo released by then brand new indie label Nettwerk Records. Pleased with the results, the label backed a full-length effort called September Bowl Of Green.

An interesting highlight of the LP was the cover of a little band from Liverpool.

While the album did well on college radio and placed two tracks on MuchMusic, it didn’t show up on the mainstream charts.

Nettwerk had a reputation for being patient in their early days, so a sophomore record was put in motion. None other than CanCon Legend Tom Cochrane was brought in to helm the project as producer.

With Kane on guitar and lead vocals and a sibling rhythm section of Chris on drums and Tom on bass, the group set to work.

The final product sold gold here in Canada and spawned three singles. Let’s look at those.

Peace Of Mind - peaked #56, 1987

The lead single and the song that made Cochrane quit the project right before it was complete.

Turns out that he hated the track and did not want to finish it, and engineer Ric Arboit refused to move on until it was done.

Good thing, too - the result is still my fave Grapes tune - it’s perfect jangly, paisley-tinged pop of the highest order. The transition from the quiet intro to full volume is unbelievable as a musical moment.

As for Cochrane, he was still credited and has not spoken about the incident since.

O Lucky Man - did not chart

As Peace Of Mind opened side two of the LP, O Lucky Man was track one side one and the second single.

Very simple, I love the harmonies and the guitar hook. I also love a tune with a heavier lyrical message [greed, ambition, revenge] juxtaposed with an upbeat tune.

Great stuff!

Backward Town - did not chart

Did you grow up somewhere that you knew you could never stay? Or worse, somewhere you couldn’t leave?

My old school is getting drunk on the town
Don't think they'll ever get out
Go home just to realize
Why I had to get out
The pain when you still live there
And I couldn't wait for you to get away

This song captures that feeling so well, and in other hands might have been a big country hit. Cochrane brought in his Red Rider bandmate Ken Greer to do pedal steel here and it’s gorgeous.

I know I say it alot, but this tune deserved more - I can’t believe it didn’t chart.

In the final reckoning, Treehouse was a great next step for the band. Their next two projects would each sell platinum here at home, and as I say far too often, there wasn’t a lot of appreciation for the guys elsewhere.

The Grapes Of Wrath last recorded together in 2013, and Kane is a part of The Northern Pikes when they tour.

A final reco for you if you like what you’ve heard. Check this record out, recorded in 1988 for CBC’s amazing Brave New Waves radio show.