The Twisters (Canadian band)

The Twisters are a Canadian blues band from North Vancouver, British Columbia. They are signed to Toronto's NorthernBlues Music.

This article is about the Canadian band. For the Chilean band, see Los Twisters. For the American band, see Rockin' Dopsie.
The Twisters
OriginNorth Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
GenresBlues
InstrumentsHarmonica, Guitar, Bass, Drum
LabelsNorthernBlues Music
Associated actsBack Alley John
Websitetwisters.ca
MembersDavid Hoerl
Brandon Isaak
Chip Hart
Keith Picot
Past membersSandy Smith
James "JW" Taylor (d. 2005)
Kenny Wayne
Matt Pease
Greg "Junior" Demchuk
Pete Turland

History

The Twisters was formed by harmonica player David "Hurricane" Hoerl and drummer Sandy Smith (also known under the stage name "Sandy Bone") in 1994, and included Pete Turland on bass and Greg "Junior" Demchuk on guitar, both as recommended by Smith. Smith had previously co-founded the Back Alley John Revue in Ottawa, and later joined Back Alley John in Calgary, where the two continued to play and record. Smith had known Demchuk from Smith's time playing in Calgary, and persuaded Demchuk to move to Vancouver to join the band. Brandon Isaak joined the band on guitar in 1999, while James "JW" Taylor joined the band on bass in 2001.[1]

In 2003 The Twisters released an album Long Hard Road.[2] They were nominated for a 2003 Juno Award,[3] and winner of 'Best Blues Album of the Year' at the Canadian Independent Music Awards for this album.

In 2004, Smith left the band, suffering from tendonitis to a degree that rendered him incapable of continuing to play drums, and was replaced by Matt Pease.[4] In 2005, the band was in a car accident, in which Taylor was killed and Pease seriously injured.[1][5][6] Chip Hart and Keith Picot later joined the band on drums and bass, respectively. The band released an album, After the Storm, in 2006.[4][7]

Their album Come Out Swingin' was nominated for 'Blues Album Of The Year' by The Western Canadian Music Awards in 2009, and was nominated for five Maple Blues Awards the same year. These included Best Recording of the year, Song Writer Of The Year, Electric Act Of The Year, Bass Player Of The Year and Harmonica Player Of The Year.[8]

Come Out Swingin', which was composed mainly of original tunes, was praised by the Barrelhouse Blues enews in Boston for its arrangements, vocal harmonies and instrumental performances.[9] and included as special guest former band member and Juno Award winner Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne on piano.

In mid-2014, shortly before the release of his first solo album, Un-Twisted, David Hoerl suffered a life-threatening stroke. Prior to Hoerl's stroke, the Twisters had been scheduled to perform at the Nanjing International Jazz and World Music Festival.

Discography
  • 2009 Come Out Swingin': The Masters of Hot Jump (Northern Blues)
  • 2006 After The Storm (Northern Blues)
  • 2004 Live at Harvest Fest (Festival Distribution)
  • 2002 Long Hard Road (Full Swing)
  • 1999 Fulla Hot Air (Full Swing)

References
  1. Uncredited, Vancouver bluesman killed. CBC News, October 31, 2005. Retrieved 2014-08-08.
  2. "Twisters Long Hard Road". Exclaim!, By Eric Thom, Aug 01, 2003
  3. "Bluesman James". Soulshine, 2005-11-01
  4. "The Twisters After the Storm". AllMusic, Review by Scott Yanow
  5. "Review: The Twisters - After The Storm". Blinded by Sound, By Josh Hathaway on December 31, 2010
  6. "Musician devastated' by bandmate's death". Whitehorse Star on November 4, 2005
  7. "The Twisters After The Storm". Boston Blues Society, By Karen Nugent, July 2007
  8. "The Twisters - Come Out Swingin’". Illinois Blues, James Walker
  9. Barrelhouse Blues e-news, Boston (more detail needed here)
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