[rocketsan22]

I think there is definitely a legitimate essay to be written on cover bands as a general phenomenon. It's as though he had a desire to write on that theme, and decided to cram it into his book on the Hip.

That would be a fascinating book. I do remember either a chapter in a book or magazine article that was about a tribute band for a semi-forgotten hair metal band (I want to say it was Warrant, but it could have as easily been Poison or Great White...someone that I was a bit surprised required a tribute act). Guys who would work Monday to Friday, load into a U-Haul trailer and play in clubs along the northeast US seaboard while staying in crap motels every Friday and Saturday. The lead singer was a bit deluded about his place in rock and roll as he drank beer in the Motel 6.

With this book, I think where you notice gaps are due to lack of sources. Sources seem to be Kevin Hearn, Gold, Drew/Hamelin (though may be from previously published sources), Bidini (though again may be from other published material), Steven Drake, Feist, Brendan Canning, Morningstar, Brown and Fenner. Some of these could also have been from when he was researching the Macleans pieces he wrote, versus writing this book.

He seemed to have better success with producers -- looked to get some new insight from Steve Berlin and Tsangarides -- or those who worked with Gord solo (excluding The Sadies).

I hired The Practically Hip for their first ever gig and was present the night they formed for the first time at a skid bar that is now a Mark’s Work Warehouse lol