Alex Chuaqui (vocals, guitars, keys)
Kevin Fyhn (guitars, vocals)
John Donnelly (bass, vocals)
Jeff Germain (drums)
The four members of QCK met while in high school in Regina, Saskatchewan, and formed their first band, Cambridge, in 1968. They were together as a bar band for 12 years before without a member change. While touring the prairies constantly they recorded a demo which grabbed the attention of Columbia Records.
In 1980 they were signed to Columbia and recorded their eponymous debut with producer Gene Martynec (Kensington Market, Rough Trade). Recorded at Century Studios in Winnipeg, it was released in the summer of 1981 and the band once again hit the road. Regional spot tour in bars and small concert venues across the prairies and into the United States generated gold sales for the LP.
They went back into the studio in late 1981 to record their second album, 'Black Box', with Rob Freeman producing. They used an abandoned bank building in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, to get the live feel they felt was lacking in their first effort. The album was released in 1982 and spawned a hit with "Dance", the first single. They toured with the likes of April Wine, Ozzy Osborne, Streetheart, Joan Jett and Blue Oyster Cult. The title track and a third single, "Girls", were heavy hitters on FM radio and drove the second record to gold status as well. More touring in the east and the US ensued, but their big US break failed to materialize.
Despite their two back-to-back gold records, Columbia's parent company, CBS was in turmoil and the band's contract was not extended. Queen City Kids carried on briefly with road work but in early 1983 they called it quits.
Chuaqui formed Straw Dogs, Germain and Donnelly formed Love Active with Models guitarist Larry Bourke and vocalist/guitarist Kim Albright; both bands played frequently in Saskatchewan and the west; Donnelly then moved on to the band Babyface who released one indie album called "In The Night".
CBS released 'The Best of QCK' on CD in 1989. At the turn of the millennium the band was back together for a reunion show in Saskatchewan and since then have done occasional and well attended gigs in their hometown and surrounding areas.
Singles
1981 Down Again/Kids World (Columbia/CBS) C4-4281
1981 Follow You There/Empty Eyes (Columbia/CBS) C4-4282
1981 A Secret Smoke/Don't Say You Didn't Try (Columbia/CBS) DJC4-4292
1982 Dance/Black Box (Columbia/CBS) C4-4305
1982 Girls/Ripped Off (Columbia/CBS) C4-4317
Albums
1981 Queen City Kids (Columbia) 80050
1982 Black Box (Columbia) 80065
1989 The Best Of Queen City Kids [CD] (Columbia/CBS)
Video
Compilation Tracks
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