Every major city with a healthy music scene will have hometown heroes….that band or artist that the locals love and wish the whole world knew about. One of those bands is Toronto’s “The Lowest Of The Low”.
Welcome to episode 118 of See Hear.
The Lowest of the Low started in the early 90s as a follow up to the band punk band, Popular Front. Ron Hawkins had previously written overtly political songs, but for the debut album Shakespeare My Butt (one of the best album names ever), he wrote songs about ordinary people facing everyday pressures – so still political in its way. The history of the band is not an uncommon tale – friends get together based on common musical and ideological points of reference, members have “differences” and they split apart, years after the fact they reunite remembering the spark that got them started. However, their tale is still fascinating because they were true independents and were never going to sell their ideals downstream for a quick buck. Big companies came calling, but LOTL dictated terms all the way.
Kerry was away, but Tim and I spoke with musician, tour manager for many Canadian bands, and film director Simon Head about his documentary “Subversives: The History of Lowest Of The Low”. As well as talking about the film, we spend time devoted to discussing the Toronto music scene of the early 90s and where it is now, friendship, Weddings Parties Anything and Billy Bragg, and Toronto as a film character.
A huge thanks to Simon for joining us. As I mention in our discussion, I perceive from watching the film that the story of the wider Toronto scene was reflected in the Melbourne scene of the 90s….watch the film or listen to our conversation and see how it reflects your own city’s live music environment.
The film is now available to stream on Apple TV or you can get a blu ray with a bunch of great extras.
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