Photo by Cyndi Ingle
By Erica Leon
Covid-19 has halted life as we know it and created a professed line between us and everyone else. Throughout this pandemonium music has been the one faithful motivator that has amassed communities by creating a sense of serenity. The pandemic has given many of us time to reflect. I remember my late father telling me about a punk rock band, Teenage Head and how they used to practice in the space he rented out above his clothing store, Irving’s Famous Clothes.
I have always been fascinated by this memory, and throughout the years, noticed how my father, a reserved man who always wore suits, continued to rent the same space specifically to rhapsodic artists; photographers and musicians alike. I always wondered if my dad would have rocked out if given the chance.
This influential band from Hamilton, Ontario has been a revelation for many artists including The Tragically Hip and Colin James. I recently had the incredible opportunity to speak with lead singer, Dave “Rave” Desroches who discussed everything from how Hamilton influenced the band, to how Covid-19 is affecting him, to the much-anticipated documentary, “Picture my face” directed by Douglas Arrowsmith.
MB: Fans would love to hear about the history of Teenage Head.
Dave: I knew Gord Lewis since Grade 1 and Steve Mahon since Grade 8 or 9. I would eventually play with them and Frankie Venom (Frank Kerr) at Westdale High School. I remember playing in the school auditorium. Two years ago, we got our photo put on the Wall of Distinction at Westdale Secondary School and Steve Mahon (Teenage Head bass player) received an honorary diploma. It felt so good, we were all excited about playing there again. I projected myself from dreaming about playing on stage to it becoming a reality. I realized my dream had come true. It was a magical and emotional experience. I felt a sense of self fulfillment.
MB: Has Hamilton affected the writing process for Teenage Head albums?
Dave: Hamilton has a very close-knit quality feel to it. Grant Avenue Studios, located in Hamilton, is an oasis for musicians. Hamilton was considered a “lunch box” city. The members of the band related to the steel town feel. It has the same feel as Detroit and Chicago. We knew what kind of music we had to make. It had to be real, but it wasn’t conscious. We wanted to make music that was relatable to listeners. We made the music down to earth and real. We could almost taste the music, the smell of the sulphur dioxide from the steel factories. It was the continuity of the environment we grew up in and it kept us focused. I moved back to Hamilton from New York a few years ago. I always traveled between the two cities; it helps me stay grounded.
MB: Did you have any hesitation to fill in for Frankie Venom? How was it received by fans?
Dave: I had already sung on the “Frantic City” record but filling in for Frankie Venom was a lot of pressure, but after awhile the fans liked my version of the band and we had a successful album with me singing called “Electric Guitar” released in 1988.
MB: How has Covid-19 affected you?
It’s an aberration. I can’t run away from where I am, none of us can. We must face it and we can really learn a lot about ourselves and each other through this pandemic. I recently lost a good friend, Alan Merrill to Covid-19. He penned the song “I Love Rock and Roll.” It was really upsetting to hear of his passing. In our own personal lives, we tend to think about death when it affects the people closest to us. When a family member is sick, you rally around them and then go back to your daily life. With Covid-19, no one can. It’s affecting everyone.
I lived in New York when 9/11 happened and there was smoke, uncertainty, death was everywhere. During Covid-19 again there is uncertainty and it puts people in awareness knowing something bad could happen. One could try and forget, but when you see the lineups at the grocery stores, it reminds you every day. I’m waiting for a day of normalcy. The news is showing 24 hours of bad news which is not inspiring and it’s a constant reminder that we’re facing hardship and uncertainty. We are missing music and I’ve noticed bands have re-posted past concerts on social media. It’s nurturing for fans, and as a performer you’re always trying to get better, so this has been a reminder how much musicians and fans need each other. People are taking a look at history and re-reading books and studying history. It’s a personal world view of world events, a really spiritual feel.
Travelling and performing in different places is like a hug, we can’t take that for granted. It’s healing hands to be close and connected; we crave it. The Beatles song lyrics “I want to hold your hand” talks about being close, touching; “And when I touch you, I feel happy, inside…”. The lyrics discuss closeness, not distancing oneself as this pandemic is forcing us to do. It’s natural to want to be close and feel a connection with other people. We’re being denied our most human instinct by not being able to touch and be together. This aberration eventually will fade and eventually we will be able to touch again.
We have to believe this will happen again, but we have to be patient. At Teenage Head shows, fans slap each others’ hands and get close to each other. When this pandemic is over, people will appreciate concerts so much more, it will give off an almost sacred feeling. I’ve always felt a connection during live shows, and I acknowledge how sacred human contact is. We’ve always been contacting each other; people get a cold, or the flu and we get sick from each other but, Covid-19 is so different; it could be a death sentence.
MB: When is the Teenage Head documentary “Picture my Face” going to be released?
Dave: Filming began since I rejoined the band and has been filmed in Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, a Tiger Cats football game and footage from our latest performance at Westdale Secondary School. We were supposed to play at the South by Southwest festival and film the final footage needed for this documentary, but the festival was cancelled due to Covid-19. The interviewer asked us in depth questions about Teenage Head then and now. The questions were hard hitting but we all said what we really feel, there was no sugar coating. Marky Ramone was also interviewed as well as other musicians that were influenced by Teenage Head. The producer wanted an in-depth documentary. It eventually will be available on TVO, but currently, there is no release date.
MB: Have you been recording any new music?
Dave: I have been recording at the Cotton Factory in Hamilton. I have been going there at night during Covid-19 and have recorded acoustic tunes with Hamilton musician, Mark Foley and Jack Syperek from the Hamilton based band The Trews. I haven’t done any live streaming, but I have posted the tunes I recently recorded on Facebook. After listening to what I’ve recorded, I realized I might have a solo record. We’ll see how it progresses.
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