Thrill Squad

Out of the still-smoking ashes of 80’s mod/pop sensations Go Four 3, the early 90’s saw original Gopher members Roxanne, Steve and Gord re-form as Thrill Squad. Adding a second guitarist, and a new drummer to their faster and louder line-up, the new group focused its efforts on gaining attention in the UK, with mixed success. They secured an English management deal, and went to the UK where they recorded several songs. A UK single and EP followed, but the tour they were scheduled play on was cancelled because of the headlining act, and so very little happened. Frustrated, the group returned to Canada and released an album on their own (It’s Party Time, 1994), comprised partly from the UK sessions, and partly from some unreleased material recorded under their previous incarnation (Go Four 3). A video for “Heart Of Tears” to support the album gained a record-breaking amount of play on MuchMusic for an indie release.

Alas, despite blistering live performances, the group was still completely unable to get arrested.

In 1997 the group recorded and released a six-song EP “Here Comes Tomorrow”, and performed live on several BC and Canada-wide television shows. They were even tapped by Billboard Magazine as hot up-and-comers. Once again. they were neither arrested, nor even tazed by the police.

In 1999 the band once again imploded, each member taking turns alternately quitting or being kicked out of the group. Eventually, they all sacked one other simultaneously, so technically, the band probably still exists somewhere, but with no members in it at all. Today Roxanne and Steve are together again in The Irises, and Gord is in The New Black. The two groups share a very nervous second guitarist, who can’t decide which of the two bands is more of a waste of his time.

gb.