Rock Archeologia

Crackers - Choice Cuts (1978 Pizazz Presents) 

Artist: Crackers
Title: Choice Cuts
Label: Pizazz Presents
Catalog#: PPA 002
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Released: 1978
Country: Toronto, Ontario
Genre: Rock, Comedy
Duration: 00:38:51

• When Linx had run its course in the mid 1970s, founding members and Hamilton natives guitarist Reg Denis (also ex of The Only 1's, Royal Order, Tangerine Forest, and both versions of Pork - the five and six-piece) and bassist Patricia Warden decided to put together a new act - one that was as memorable on stage for its presence as it was good musically, and one that was a little less serious than their previous groups.
• They recruited vocalist Monte Hawes and drummer George Holyoke, and naming themselves Crackers, they became one of Canada's first truly independent groups, playing the local area. They then expanded throughout the rest of Ontario and then into Quebec, developing a style that showed influences ranging from Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix to Charlie Daniels, as well as blues and jazz. As they progressed, they began throwing in some comedic elements into their live shows, and were noticed by manager Craig Nicholson of Pizazz Productions. They became regular regular favourites at Toronto's El Mocambo and in Montreal at the Maples Inn, complete with comedy, shocking visuals, and X-rated antics.
• Recorded at Master Studios with Daniel Lanois in his mother's basement in Ancaster, Ontario and produced by Steve Smith (aka Red Green), they released their first single, "Crackers In Concert." It got decent airplay around the Toronto market, but it was the lukewarm lewdity of the b-side, "Gracie," that took off, becoming a huge hit on campus stations and selling enough copies to finance a full album. Recorded at Lanois' new Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton their debut album, CHOICE CUTS was released in 1978 on Pizzazz Records. Denis and Hawes handled the bulk of the songwriting, and tracks like "Crazy Man," "Heaven Was Never This Dead," and the instrumental "Four Wheel Drive" showcased their musical dexterity, with Denis also getting nods for his fiddle work.
• But controversy ensued though, thanks to the album jacket. Although several options were considered after a lengthy photo shoot, Nicholson decided to use the one with the road crew mooning the camera, which the band thought was a joke. When they complained, they were told it was too late, as it had already gone to print.

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 • Side One:
A1. Crackers In Concert 05:50
A2. Trouble 03:02
A3. Rio Bravo 03:34
A4. See You Tomorrow 03:32
A5. Grace 03:45
 • Side Two:
B1. Heaven Was Never This Dead 06:00
B2. Still Feels Good 02:39
B3. Four Wheel Drive 05:40
B4. Crazy Man 05:32

    Recorded at Grant Avenue Studio, Hamilton, Ontario
    Engineer – Dan Lanois*
 

Musicians:
Monte "The Hose" Hawze - Vocals and Keyboards
Patricia "Delicia" Warden - Bass
George "The Hole" Holyoke - Drums
Reg "Crazy Man" Denis - Guitar and Vocals

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