The Walk (band)

The Walk
OriginSudbury, Ontario, Canada
Genresalternative rock
Years active1987 - 1996
LabelsUniversal Music Group
Past membersDave Allan, Jason Frederick, Eric Forget, James Prudhomme, James Cahill, Bill Bruhmuller

The Walk were a Canadian alternative rock band. Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, the band was formed in 1987 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Allan, guitarist/keyboardist Jason Frederick, bass guitarist Eric Forget and drummer James Prudhomme.[1] They disbanded in 1996.

History

The band was originally known as "Painted Black" (which featured fifth member, guitarist James Cahill[1]) before changing its name to The Walk in 1989.

In 1990, with producer John Newlands, they released their debut album, Hollow,[2] independently. The same year they also contributed a track to the compilation "From Under The Slag Heap", produced by campus radio station CFLR (now CKLU-FM). Sporadic touring followed, with the band opening for acts such as The Tragically Hip and Sarah McLachlan.[1]

In 1991, the band relocated to Hamilton, Ontario,[1] where they released their second album (with guitarist Billy Bruhmuller replacing Cahill), Insomuch. The album received national radio airplay and charted on college radio across Canada.

In 1993, The Walk became a four piece, and made what were arguably their strongest recordings with producer Colin Cripps at Hamilton's Grant Avenue Studios. Initial tracks were released as the Wellington Street EP.[3][4] A full-length album followed, Turbine, produced by Cripps and mixed by Mark S. Berry.[5] The band signed to MCA (now Universal Music Group) Canada.[1] A promotional single and video, "Given It All Away" was released, receiving airplay on MuchMusic, and the band toured extensively, supporting acts such as Crash Vegas, Junkhouse, The Headstones, 13 Engines, Trooper, Waltons, and The Watchmen.

In 1996, after nearly a decade of being well-received critically but only middling commercial success, The Walk disbanded.[6] Most of the members left the music industry entirely, although Frederick continues to write and release music, mostly for film and television.[7]

Discography

  • Hollow (1990)
  • Insomuch (1992)
  • Wellington Street EP (1993)
  • "Given It All Away" cd single (1994)
  • Turbine (1994)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Taylor, Ric (June 2003). "Hamilton Music Notes : View Magazine, June 19–25, 2003".
  2. ^ (2006). "The Walk: Biography[usurped]", Jam! Canadian Pop Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ Krewen, Nick (May 26, 1994). "Well past the crawling stage, The Walk is due for a run", The Hamilton Spectator, p. 4.
  4. ^ Mowat, Bruce (March 31, 1994). "The Walk House Rules: These musicians love their house so much, they've made it a member of the band", The Hamilton Spectator, p. 16.
  5. ^ Mowat, Bruce (February 2, 1995). "The Walk talk rock", The Hamilton Spectator, p. 5.
  6. ^ Taylor, Ric (February 2005). "Hamilton Music Notes : View Magazine, Feb 17-23, 2005".
  7. ^ Tennent, James (February 2009). "California Dreaming : Hamilton Magazine".