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The Romaniacs

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Canadian rock band
The Romaniacs
OriginCanada
GenresRock
Years active1984 (1984)–1995 (1995)
Past members
  • Calvin Cairns
  • Steve Bengtson
  • Scott White
  • William Butler
  • Danny Greenspoon
  • Ron Thompson
  • Richard Baker

The Romaniacs was a Canadian rock band based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Their music combined Eastern European, Gypsy jazz, and pop. They made extensive use of costumes and props, including a large map, during their live shows.

History

The Romaniacs formed in 1984. They performed at first in clubs and small venues, telling an invented story of their ethnic history of the band members.

The band toured extensively in Canada and the United States.They had a long stint at the Saskatchewan Pavilion at Expo 86 in Vancouver, and that year released their first recording on cassette, entitled Ethno-Fusion. The group also toured Australia in 1988, including a week-long appearance at the Canada Pavilion during the World's Fair in Brisbane. That year they released their first album, World on Fire.

In 1990 the band contributed the song "Ecstasy of the Martyr" to the compilation album Polka Comes to Your Haus. The Romaniacs disbanded in 1995.


Personnel

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  • Calvin Cairns (aka Myron Joseph, king romaniac) – violin
  • Steve Bengtson (aka Steffy Levine) – mandolin and vocals
  • Scott White – upright bass
  • William (Billy) Butler – guitar
  • Danny Greenspoon (aka Zoltan Flamingo Romaniac) – guitar
  • Jim Vivian – upright bass
  • Victor Bateman – upright bass
  • Ron Thompson – guitar
  • Richard Baker – guitar

Discography

  • Ethno-Fusion
  • World on Fire
  • The Ecstasy of the Martyr (a compilation released only in Japan)

References

  1. David H. Flaherty; Frank E. Manning (1993). The Beaver Bites Back?: American Popular Culture in Canada. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 206–. ISBN 978-0-7735-1120-0.
  2. "Romaniacs setting the world on fire". Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont., Craig MacInnis Jun 1, 1988 Page: D.1
  3. "Mole-head musicians give Toronto the eyeball tonight". Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont. Greg Quill Jan 24, 1986 Page: D.10
  4. "The Romaniac Brothers music played with different twist". Winnipeg Free Press, January 23, 1987 - Page 39
  5. "Romaniacs Rock in Ethno-rhythm". Medicine Hat News via Newspaper Archives March 03, 1988 - Page 3
  6. "Fiddle fanciers' delight continues". by Maria Kirley - Campbell River Mirror May 14, 2013
  7. "Quartet loaded with bunk". Winnipeg Free Press Newspaper Archives May 24, 1988 - Page 38
  8. "Legendary Lads have Real Success". Medicine Hat News via Newspaper Archives June 09, 1988 - Page 24
  9. "Polka Comes to Your Haus". AllMusic. Review by Dave Sleger
  10. "World on Fire". WorldCat record

Bibliography

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