Steve Blimkie (vocals)
Doug Ruston (bass, vocals)
Angus MacKay (guitar, vocals)
Dave Betts (drums)
Derry Grehan (guitar; replaced MacKay 1981)
Steve Blimkie And The Reason formed in Toronto in 1979 and were one of the first acts signed to the fledgling Ready Records label. Their single "I Got This Feeling" was quick to radio on the heels of fellow label mates The Demics ("New York City"). The record caused a buzz but received little recognition on radio. Despite this, the band carried on undaunted.
Their debut album, 'Blimkie', was engineered by relative new comer Kevin Doyle (Harem Scarem, Alannah Myles) and produced by Andrew Crosbie and guitarist Angus MacKay -- who was filling in on the album until a permanent guitarist could be found. That guitarist would be St. Catherines native Derry Grehan and the band set off to record a follow-up single -- "You Can't Hold Me Anymore" -- in the summer of 1980 with Guess Who producer Jack Richardson.
The band did opening slots for XTC and The Ramones which paved the way for the more critically acclaimed 1981 album 'Chasing Paper Tigers' which was released as a Steve Blimkie record due to the near collapse of the band during recording. Doug Ruston left before the album was finished and so the original 'The Reason' was practically gone. However, momentum had been lost and Ready eventually dropped Blimkie from the label.
Grehan and Betts would form Honeymoon Suite in 1983 with Johnny Dee (Lennex) and go on to fame and fortune; MacKay died in 2010.
Singles
as STEVE BLIMKIE AND THE THE REASON
1979 I Got This Feeling/All I Want Is You Alone (Ready)
1980 You Can't Hold Me Anymore/Freaks On The Tube (Ready)
1980 Can't Say I'm Sorry/Break My Heart Tomorrow (Ready)
as STEVE BLIMKIE
1981 Here Today, Gone Tomorrow/I Don't Want To Know (Ready)
1981 Riding Into The Night/Gimme A Taste (Ready)
Albums
as STEVE BLIMKIE AND THE REASON
1980 Blimkie (Ready)
as STEVE BLIMKIE
1981 Chasing Paper Tigers (Ready)
Video
Compilation Tracks
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