CBC Radio 3 Artist - Rheostatics

Toronto, ON

Genres: Alt Pop

Label: True North Records

The Rheostatics have released eleven albums since 1987 -- only one a major label release, which speaks to their independent spirit, tenacity and mutual, though not unchallenged, commitment. Inspired by such national treasures as the Group of Seven, Stompin' Tom Connors, the divinatory -- not divine -- government of Mackenzie King, rolling prairies, Canada's national game, les couriers du bois and more, the Rheos have plundered the Canadian mythos to become a kind of bedrock myth themselves. In a millennial survey of Canadian music critics, the Rheostatics placed two albums - Melville and Whale Music - in the top ten Canadian records of all time, a feat duplicated only by the legendary Guess Who. "Canada Listens," sponsored by CBC's Saturday afternoon magazine Definitely Not the Opera, mirrored the search for the great Canadian novels undertaken by "Canada Reads" and chose Whale Music as the single rock album with which all Canadians had to be familiar. The Rheos' live shows are legendary among fans and often exceed two hours. The band sometimes abandons the stage - and amplification - in favour of the dance floor for a short acoustic set, and everyone is encouraged to sing along. Songwriting duties and lead vocals are shared between bandmates Dave Bidini, Martin Tielli and Tim Vesely. This unstintingly democratic commitment makes the band doubly difficult to pigeonhole as the particular talents of each member are showcased in rapid succession.