The Gandharvas

The Gandharvas was a Canadian alternative rock band formed in 1989 in London, Ontario.

For other uses, see Gandharva (disambiguation).
The Gandharvas
Also known asThe Droogs
The London Droogs
OriginLondon, Ontario, Canada
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1989 (1989)–2000 (2000)
LabelsWatch Music
MCA
Avex DD
Associated actsSmoother
Raised by Swans
MembersPaul Jago
Jud Ruhl
Brian Ward
Beau Cook
Tim McDonald
Past membersRob Blanchette
Eric Howden

History

The band formed in 1989 as The Droogs (later The London Droogs),[1] and released a self-titled EP in 1991. They changed their name to The Gandharvas in 1993, after Gandharvas, who are musical spirits in Hinduism.[2]

The band performed live shows in the London area, and in November 1993 signed with the label Watch Music.[3] In 1994 the group released their debut album as The Gandharvas, titled A Soap Bubble and Inertia.[4] The album included the single "The First Day of Spring", which was named Song of the Year (CASBY Award) by The Edge 102.1 in Toronto, and was nominated for MuchMusic's Video of the Year.[2] A Soap Bubble and Inertia entered the Canadian album charts at No. 51 in July 1994[5] and peaked at No. 39 on August 1, 1994.[6]

In 1995, they released their second album Kicking in the Water, and shortly after were signed by major label MCA Records. Their 1997 release, Sold for a Smile, included the singles "Downtime" and "Watching the Girl". All three albums were also released in Japan on the label Avex DD.

Though Sold for a Smile was a minor commercial success (with the "Downtime" video receiving substantial play at MuchMusic), the album would be the band's last, as the grunge/alternative movement of the 1990s faded in popularity. They would announce their breakup in 2000.

Following the break-up of the band, Beau Cook returned to his former band, Smoother. Vocalist Paul Jago became a geologist and moved to Arizona, later forming the band (duo with wife) SAID DOG.

Band members
Final line-up
  • Paul Jago – vocals (1989–2000)
  • Jud Ruhl – guitar (1989–2000)
  • Brian Ward – guitar (1989–2000)
  • Beau Cook – bass, keyboards (1996–2000)
  • Tim McDonald – drums (1989–2000)

Former members
  • Rob Blanchette – bass (1989–1993)
  • Eric Howden – bass (1993–1996)

Discography

The Droogs
  • The Droogs – 1991

Gandharvas

References
  1. Fischer, Blair. "Into the Mainstream", Rolling Stone, June 11, 1998.
  2. Wood, Scott. "Say It Right: The Gandharvas" Archived 2005-08-29 at the Wayback Machine, The Peak – Simon Fraser University's student newspaper, October 13, 1997.
  3. "The Gandharvas". AllMusic Biography by Stephen Howell
  4. Larry LeBlanc (4 February 1995). Canada: Who's Who. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 80–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. Top Albums/CDs - Volume 59, No. 26, July 18 1994
  6. "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 60, No. 2, August 01 1994". RPM. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
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