Coney Hatch was one of a gang of young, loud rock bands that sprang up around the turn of the 80's. Beginning in 1980 with a line-up that included founding members Andy Curran and Dave Ketchum, Coney thundered across Canada, swapping the first few guitar players for Steve Shelski and Carl Dixon as they went. By Early 1981, the changes were complete and songwriting focused among the front triumvirate of Carl, Andy and Steve carried by the unstoppable bedrock drumming of Dave (Thumper). Added to a batch of songs from the pre-Carl era, Coney's new writing and constant touring soon had them ready to record. Enter Kim Mitchell, legendary Canadian singer/guitarist, who offered to help out. Without question, this was the big break every band dreams of. Kim worked in rehearsals and studio with the lads, then took the results to Anthem Records (his label at the time) among others. Anthem signed the band in November '81, and the following summer saw the first of three worldwide releases. Carl and Andy offer some thoughts and memories on the songs we selected.
CONEY HATCH - Released July 1982, Produced by Kim Mitchell: Devil's Deck-This was the second song we ever wrote together after I joined the band. It was at the old Maples Inn in Montreal. Andy had the lyrics, I offered the intro and melody, Steve put in some things and voila, MTV. That's Kim Mitchell singing on the "Devil" part of the Chorus. C.D. You Ain't Got Me- The song that got Anthem interested in our first demo. Jack Richardson, genial dean of Canadian record producers co-produced this with Kim... Most vivid memory is of Jack conducting me through the guitar intro with a pencil six inches from my nose. This song was also know as "Lou Angotti". (Fits over the chorus... Hockey fans will get it). C.D. Stand Up-I brought in a different initial version, and Kim suggested the sparse open feel of the track. That "simple" feel took us three days of trying to get the bed track right. Steve got to flex his jazz muscles on the organ part. Big in Quebec, this one. A.C. Hey Operator-Written one night in Thorold, Ontario, after a futile attempt to call home. We thought the first album was done and this would be for the next one, but the label stopped everything and had us record it for "Coney Hatch". Our highest-charting single. This song was later covered by Aldo Nova. C.D. Monkey Bars- Only song from pre-Carl era to make it to an album. it became one of the bands' "signature" songs and a big crowd favourite. A secret: The solo is Steve Shelski playing a legendary jazz song - anybody know it? Dave Ketchum needed a custom-built wooden box around his hi-hat cymbals during recording to accommodate his "wide open" style. A.C. Where I Draw the Line-Recorded for the "Coney Hatch" album, but bumped to make way for "Hey Operator". We played a keyboardless version of this live for a long time. Steve and Andy music, Carl lyrics and melody. Piano by Carl, synth by Kim Mitchell. C.D.
OUTA HAND.-Released July 1983. Produced by Max Norman. One year and much touring later. Don't Say Make Me.-Our angry "rebel" song from "Outa Hand". It became our live opening song forever after because of the mighty guitar riff starting it. Andy has long wanted to record a sensitive acoustic version of this one. C.D. Shake It-Andy's lyric, based on the previous year spent with our heads buried in video games whenever not actually on stage. Note the return of Steve's jazzy organ style. Video performance by the band followed soon after the release of "Outa Hand". C.D. First Time for Everything-Our shot at a single was most added radio-play song in the USA the week it came out. Shelski music track, Carl added lyrics and melody. There are some nice background vocals by Peter Fredette here. A video for this one also. A.C. Some Like It Hot-An Andy lyric based on some interesting experiences in Arizona when we toured there with Judas Priest. Andy says this is his favorite guitar solo from Steve. Cool drums from Thumper. C.D. To Feel The Feeling Again-Our only ballad: Andy had a gorgeous bass part, Steve added the lovely guitar, and I had to come up with lyrics and melody as good as the music. Nice, sentimental thing it became for us, especially in our reunion shows. C.D.
FRICTION- Released in February 1985, again produced by Max Norman. A change in the band: Dave Ketchum out as drummer, Barry Connors in. This Ain't Love-Guitar thunder on this track owing to the 8000 overdubs Max had us do. One of the better Carl/Andy collaborations. C.D. Wrong Side Of Town-Andy wrote this after being caught in a silly street-hustle in baad Detroit. Something about hot jewelry? We worked the tune several ways before we decided to just rock. Blazing solo from Steve. C.D. Girl From Last Nights Dream-I was in charge of adding lyrics to a music idea from Steve, but I was stuck. In he walks to rehearsal one morning in a daze saying "I had a dream last night about the most incredible girl". Bingo! C.D. Fantasy-Starting again from a musical track Steve wrote. We were stumped for a change in the song until one night after dinner I sat outside the studio in the back of Steve's car, just thinking, and the "did you give it up" section fell from the sky into my head. Nice when that happens. Another video, shot in England this time, C.D. He's A Champion-The original title for this song was "The Lobster Quadrille" (from Alice in Wonderland) until producer and ride engineer Max Norman said "You can't write a song about a *?"&* lobster!" Carl was banished to the "Le Studio Forest" until completion of a new set of lyrics. With the bed track already finished and studio time ticking away, Carl came through with possibly his finest to date. Inspired by Muhammad Ali. This is Carl's Mum's favorite Hatch tune. A.C. Fuel For The Fire-Recorded for "Friction", but released only in England as a B-side to a single. A result of combining a much different "Fuel For The Fire" original version with a song called "I Ride Alone". A crunchy yet blistering vocal from Carl and guest backup vocal from our friend Fred Curci, then of Sherrif. A.C.
FLYING AROUND LIKE A GYPSY-GIRL SHOWING SOME BIG LOVE FROM SIN CITY.......LOVE U ROCKERS!!!ENJOY THE SEASON AND THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR THE FRIENDSHIP AND MUSIC........ALWAYS, KELLY XOXOXOXOXO
REGARDS FROM (THE NORTH EAST KINGDOM) BEAUTIFUL THIS TIME OF YEAR...........MAY THE GREAT WHITE NORTH ROCKERS ENJOY THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE THE MAGNIFICENT ZESTFULL MUSIC!!!! THANKS FOR THAT! ALWAYS, KELLY XO
Get on U're page and read u're comments boys WE LOVE U SO Canadians ROCK more than GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Blessings from Vegas forever! Kelly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxxooxxox
KISSES - ALWAYS AND ALWAYS ROCKIN' THE WORLD FROM THE GREAT WHITE NORTH XOX BLESSINGS :) LOVE KELLY LONG LIVE CONEY HATCH XOX
