Back in 1980, when I first fell in love with Rough Trade, I was a very different person. Fourteen years old! I was young, confused, traumatized, flailing, and deeply in love with music. It was the one ballast strong enough to hold me. Music was (and is) my church.
When Avoid Freud released, I (figuratively) felt the ground beneath me tremble in the most delightful way. Placing the needle down on Side One of that shiny new vinyl was definitely one of those seminal moments when one feels something shift within them. Avoid Freud was MY album and Rough Trade was MY band. There are only a handful of albums I feel as close to as I feel to Avoid Freud…albums that have become a part of the weave of my story. My musical highway.
Never Mind the Bullocks by the Sex Pistols, The Hurting by Tears for Fears, The Head on the Door by The Cure, Once Upon A Time/The Singles by Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kissing to be Clever by Culture Club, Sophisticated Boom Boom by Dead or Alive, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by Sinéad O’Connor, Zenyatta Mondatta by The Police, Grace by Jeff Buckley, Love by The Cult. These are the albums that seemed to alter my trajectory in little ways…the evolution of my musical tastes.
In 1979, the B-52s took me in a whole new direction with their self titled album The B-52s. From that point on, I was buckled in for the ride. The very next stop on that journey was AVOID FREUD by Rough Trade.
From the moment I heard the first notes of Rough Trade, I was hooked. It’s been 43 years now. Carole Pope is a Canadian Icon and a queer icon. AN ABSOLUTE LEGEND. She has been out and proud and unapologetic for the duration of her tenure as THE Canadian Diva. Her courage to be who she is has always been a shining example for generations of queers. Whether she knows it or not, the music and vibes she put out into the world with Kevan Staples and Rough Trade gave strength and power to a whole generation of young queers.
Last Thursday evening Carole Pope and Rough Trade were one of 13 bands inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame! Such a long time coming for many of those honoured. Carole & Kevan seriously changed the face of the music scene here in Canada when they hit the airwaves. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Walk of Fame honour than them. They finally earned their wings!
We were lucky enough to have tickets to the Walk of Fame Party concert that Rough Trade threw at Phoenix Concert Theatre on Friday night. Not just lucky enough to be there, we were firmly wedged against the stage enjoying the concert from the best viewpoint there is. I felt 16 again, 17 again, 18 again…back in those days when we would hit any and every Rough Trade concert we heard about. Back in the heyday, when we would buy their albums on release day, unwrap that plastic, un-sleeve the vinyl and drop the needle in eager anticipation! Remember the smell of newly unwrapped vinyl?! I’ll never forget it.
The night was, in every way, a celebration of the life of a rock band. One that gave so much to the landscape of our country. Their celebratory mood could be felt by the entire theatre. It was truly a gift to be there.
Canadian Icons, Rough Trade. Walk of Fame members…finally.
(all photos were taken by me.)
KEVIN CRAIG 