Album flashback

Rock and Hyde - Under The Volcano [1987]

Following the breakdown of their relationship with A&M, Paul Hyde and Bob Rock were looking for a return to their own sound.

As Payola$, they had a rawer, street-influenced sound - and two top 10 hits in Canada, ‘Eyes Of A Stranger’ and ‘Never Said I Loved You’ alongside Carole Pope.

South of the border, though… not much.

Seems like the band name was not doing the boys any favours, with one label exec telling Rock “I’m never going to do a fucking thing for you” - such was the intensity of feeling around the payola scandal that was still ongoing. The boycott was on.

A last ditch attempt was made with a name change to Paul Hyde and The Payola$, alongside a label-induced altering of their musical course. Countryman David Foster was brought in to try to get some hits, and while ‘Here’s The World For Ya’ was good it wasn’t enough to salvage the relationship.

Undeterred, the duo nabbed a deal with Capitol and went to work primarily at the legendary Little Mountain Sound in Vancouver. Another iconic producer helped out - Bruce Fairbairn (Prism, Loverboy) - with both Rock and Hyde credited as co-producers.

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The stage was set for the boys to reclaim what they thought was their lost artistic integrity. And also for the absolute supernova of Rock’s burgeoning production career.

Dirty Water - peaked #20 Canada, #6 US Rock, 1987

Time to run up that ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner, because this tune was the biggest ever US chart hit for any edition of the band. Also, top 20 in Canada after the disappointing performance of the Foster-produced singles (charting 91 & 94).

The gloss is gone and BIG ROCK is here. Massive tune. No notes.

I Will - peaked #40, 1987

Now I prefer this to ‘Dirty Water’, personally - and it’s a real shame that the official video is blocked by the record company that shan’t be named, because it really emphasizes the pure energy of this track.

The huge rhythm guitar is amazing, as is the stellar work of the rhythm section.

But the bridge! Magnificent example of Hyde’s vocals and skilful use of that songwriting magic trick - tension and release.

Talk To Me - did not chart

Hyde has always been a humanist as a writer, a master of empathy and being able to drop a listener into a number of situations.

This track is the heart of the album. If it’s been a while since you called your parents, you likely will after you hear this.

I was 17 when this record came out, and let me tell you, this song hits WAY harder now…

The children grew up
They all moved away from here
But they've got their lives
Suppose I'd just interfere

Oooh, Talk to me
Should I go on
Or should I disappear
Talk to me
Are they too blind
To see me here

Knocking On Closed Doors - did not chart

If there’s one song that would not be out of place on an older Payola$ record, it’s this one.

Musically it might have sounded a bit different, but these lyrics are vintage Hyde. Us versus them. Survival mode engaged. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

He’s one of our working class heroes.

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Did you hear a blast from the past or find a new fave track! Drop it in the comments!

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Payola$ would release an EP in 2007 called ‘Langford Part One’, celebrating the town near Vancouver where Hyde and Rock attended school together.

Paul Hyde has worked on a half-dozen solo projects, the last one being ‘No Gods, Just Men’ from 2017.

Bob Rock has produced hundreds of projects, notably joining forces with Metallica - but also a wide array of artists such as Mötely Crüe, The Cult, and Bon Jovi. He’s also teamed up with a number of CanCon acts like Bryan Adams, Our Lady Peace, The Tea Party, and… Michael Bublé.