We’ve just finished recording our new album in Orangeville Ontario. It was 2 intensive weeks consisting of long days and nights, but we had about the best time you can have making an album.
It will be released on Aporia records in February, 2013. We can also say that 2 songs off the album could potentially be debuted in October…

We’re in Orangeville, Ontario recording our new album. This is the first time the three of us have been in a studio together in over 20 years!

Upcoming Shows:

Vancouver, B.C. Rickshaw Theatre. Friday, April 13, 2012 at 8:00pm

Campbell River, B.C. Tidemark Theatre. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 7:30pm

Victoria, B.C. Upstairs Cabaret (old Harpo’s). Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 8:00pm

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Grapes-Of-Wrath/125786907433634?sk=events

Just wrapped up a great time playing in Nelson, Kamloops and Airdrie. Thanks so much to all who came out! It was a lot of traveling in the course of only several days, but was worth it.
Great touring with you again, Odds!!

New shirts available! Get ‘em at our next gigs in March and April and then here (if we have any left)…

Canadian music legends The Grapes of Wrath return to former Harpo’s location for Autism benefit concert!

On Sunday April 15, 2012, at 8:00 pm, multiple Gold recording artists The Grapes of Wrath return to a location very familiar to them (and to Victoria music fans) – the former Harpo’s Cabaret (now known as the Upstairs Cabaret). From the period of 1984-1992 the Grapes created some of the most indelible Canadian music of the time – Misunderstanding, All The Things I Wasn’t, You May Be Right, I Am Here and Oh Lucky Man were just a few of the songs that defined the nascent alternative pop scene north of the 49th parallel.

This very special concert is the first in a series of semi annual events that will reunite the beloved and revered Harpo’s venue with some of the beloved and revered groups who were part of its glory days – all in support of local charities and not for profit groups. These events will be curated by the same people who brought groups like Sarah McLachlan, Pearl Jam, John Lee Hooker, Green Day, The Neville Brothers, No Doubt and thousands more to Victoria in the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s. If you are interested in long term support or sponsorship of this or any of the Harpo’s events please contact us via facebook or at the harpos.org (currently under construction).

In honour of April being Autism Awareness Month, this inaugural Harpo’s concert is a benefit to raise funds for The Victoria Society For Children With Autism (www.victoriaautismsociety.com) and the local families that depend on it for support, information and respite funds. On the morning of the concert, Vancouver Island’s largest annual community autism event – The Autism Walk – takes place at UVic. For more information and to pledge funds please go to www.victoriaautismwalk.com.

Tickets for this fundraising concert are $20.00 and will be available at Ditch, Lyle’s Place later this week.

Aporia Records is pleased to announce it has signed Canada’s beloved folk-rock trio, The Grapes of Wrath.

It’s been 21 years since original members Kevin Kane (vocalist, guitar) Tom Hooper (vocalist, bass) and Chris Hooper (drums) released an album together. But this spring, the three musicians will assemble at the private studio of producer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Blue Rodeo) to record a full album of new material, set for a February 2013 release.

“Darryl was a big part of our formative years in Kelowna,” says Kevin, who now resides in Toronto. “In fact, the first time any of us played music in front of an audience, the band consisted of Chris, Tom, Darryl and myself performing at Tom’s Grade 7 graduation dance.”

The new album will feature tracks written by Kevin and Tom, both of whom have released acclaimed solo albums in the years since The Grapes of Wrath first disbanded in 1992.

“All The Things I Wasn’t” was one of my favourite songs in high school,” says Gord Dimitrieff, owner of Aporia Records. “So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled to now be working with The Grapes Of Wrath on their first new album in over 20 years.”

Label manager and west coast transplant, Shannon Martin, perhaps summed up Aporia’s excitement best: “I’m so super stoked.”

The band is equally enthused to be working with Aporia.

“Aporia has a great reputation for providing their artists with both freedom and support, which is everything we could ask for in a label,” Tom says.

The Grapes, as they’re affectionately known, formed in Kelowna, B.C. in 1983 and quickly became college radio favourites with their 1985 debut, September Bowl of Green.

The album introduced listeners to Tom and Kevin’s Byrdsian harmonies and catchy pop melodies, which they would hone and perfect over the next seven years.

In 1987, The Grapes of Wrath broke through to Canadian mainstream radio with the dazzling, jangly folk-pop of its critically lauded sophomore effort, Treehouse. The band enjoyed even more success with 1989’s Now and Again, which spawned three Top 50 singles, including the quietly haunting “What Was Going Through My Head”.

Following the release of 1991’s These Days – their second platinum album that spawned two top 10 hits “You May Be Right” and “I Am Here” – the band decided to call it a day. Kevin and Tom reunited briefly in 2000, but it wasn’t until a show at the Surrey Fusion Festival in the summer of 2010 that all three original members shared the stage again.

“We realized there was a special kind of chemistry between the three of us,” recalls Chris. “I guess because we’d grown up together and learned how to play our instruments together.”

In 2011, The Grapes of Wrath played several dates across Canada to appreciative fans and have already lined up shows for this year.

“It’s interesting how this has evolved from doing just a single reunion show to getting an agent and signing a new record deal – all on it’s own steam,” says Kevin. “It’s nice when things sort of come together of their own volition and don’t feel forced or contrived.”

-30-

The wonderful Great Lake Swimmers have recorded a cool version of “What was Going Through My Head” from the GOW album “Now and Again”. It is available on the “Have Not Been the Same Vol. 1: Too Cool to Live, Too Smart To Die ” album, out now.

More info here: http://radiofreecanuckistan.blogspot.com/2011/10/too-cool-to-live-too-smart-to-die.html

We’re playing Kamloops, Nelson, Airdrie, Campbell River and Vancouver. We’ll be playing all but the Campbell River show with our good friends The Odds. Check the ‘gigs’ section for more info. See you in the spring!

Here’s to 2012! To a great year everyone!