[direwolf74]

Just found out that Tom Wilson (Junkhouse/solo artist) has a new book out about his life, which means I now have a new addition for my Christmas list. Sounds like a fascinating read.

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Also, I had no idea he had collaborated with Jason Isbell. Very cool:

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[edgoffin]

I'll have to check that out -- I remember seeing Junkhouse for the first time, I think they were maybe opening for Lowest of the Low, and he already had some incredible stories to tell...and that was about 20-25 years ago!

[direwolf74]

I'll have to check that out -- I remember seeing Junkhouse for the first time, I think they were maybe opening for Lowest of the Low, and he already had some incredible stories to tell...and that was about 20-25 years ago!

I only ever got to see them three times:

First time was in '94 after Strays came out at Mac Hall Ballroom at U of C (I think). Awesome show.

Second time was at the Saddledome for "MixFest", which was a mini indoor festival put on by the local alt-rock station at the time, Mix 1060. They shared a bill with The Watchmen, Moist, and the Headstones. I think that was '95?

Final time was right before they split up, around '97 or '98. They were touring their excellent album Fuzz at the time. After that I was lucky enough to catch a solo Tom Wilson show at Mount Royal College in Calgary. Dude came out with just himself and an acoustic guitar and absolutely killed it. His current solo project Lee Harvey Osmond has put out 4 albums, which for some reason I've never heard. But if I'm gonna read this book, I feel like I should probably check them out. He's currently signed to Michael Timmins' "Latent Recordings" label, which I also didn't know.

Here's a cool interview with Tom talking about his book:

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[potsie]

Second time was at the Saddledome for "MixFest", which was a mini indoor festival put on by the local alt-rock station at the time, Mix 1060. They shared a bill with The Watchmen, Moist, and the Headstones. I think that was '95?

That's a helluva of a line-up! Some promoter needs to put-together a line-up like that consisting of 3-4 great 1990's Canrock bands and tour the country. That above line-up of Junkhouse, The Watchment, Moist and the Headstones would be a fine start!

I was a Junkhouse fan but never really followed Tom Wilson after that. The book sounds interesting.

[cochise]

Just saw Tom a few weeks ago for a Blackie and The Rodeo Kings show. He's a pretty comical guy, I am guessing this book will be a good read.

[direwolf74]

So I got Tom's book for Christmas, and I'm already 3/4 of the way through. This guy has had quite an interesting life. As a result I'm currently on a huge Tom Wilson kick, rediscovering the entire Junkhouse catalogue, as well as Blackie & the Rodeo Kings and his current solo project, Lee Harvey Osmond. So much great music to sift through.

I've owned the Blackie albums "Bark" and "Let's Frolic" for years, but I kinda lost track of the band after 2006 or so. I just downloaded some of their more recent stuff including "South" and "Kings & Kings" and I plan on diving into those shortly. I also came across an acoustic album that Wilson recorded with Daniel Lanois' brother Bob a few years ago called The Shack Recordings Vol. 1, which from what I can gather is only available on iTunes:

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