All along you knew

In our maple exploration, it is time to talk about Honeymoon Suite. I have had them on my mind because I heard them on the Q, my fave the last few weeks. They call themselves The Island's rock because they are broadcasting from Victoria. Of course in my limited travels I would cite Vancouver Island as one of the most beautiful places! So now I am listening to CJAY in Calgary and they are playing HMS also! They actually still tour with two original members. Johnny Dee also has a solo record out (which I need to order!) I was thinking in my hiarchy of bands, I often forget aboiut HMS but as I listen to them, I realize they rate right up there with the Haywires and Plats of my world. I was very fortunate to spend a great deal of time with HMS. I first saw them in MIchigan while at EMU. I got tickets when they went on sale, sat second row at the State theater and caught a towel from Johnny Dee. (I actually caught something!) Eek, teen dreams they were and excellent live. ONe of my favoritte parts of HMS history is the addition of Rob Pruess. Rob was the keyboard player for another canadian fave-The Spoons. He was only 15 when he recorded those first Spoons records. I was intrigued by his look and youth as a teen myself. Somewhere around 1987/88, Rob left The Spoons to join HMS. While I never go to see The Spoons, I got to not only see but meet the wunderkind when HMS came to Arizona. In 1989, HMS played a U-fest in a field near I-10 and broadway(which now has office buildings ofcourse) HMS had some success in the US but they certainly weren't huge. I used my big connection of working at KUKQ to get backstage to meet and interview HMS for the Maple Minutes. First we met Gary Lalonde, bass player. I went with Pamela who about jumped out of her skin upon seeing Rob Pruess. Lalonde was about one of the friendliest musicians I ever met and chatted to us for quite a while before the show. We then met Rob who was very sweet but extrememly shy. We were invited by the manager to sit on the side of the stage for the show. I certainly have lots of photos. In some ways, that isn't always the best view because you don't have a view of the singer's expressions. We did enjoy everytime Rob would turn and flash us a smile. After the show we finally met Johnny Dee. I have never been able to answer why but he was the rock star I was the most intimidated to meet. I have not really ever been struck with shyness or awe by a musician but for some reason, he was like meeting Bono for most people. I know the feeling more when I meet NHRA drivers. Even meeting Matthew Good last year wasn't nerve wrecking at all. So back to HMS, Pamela and I spoke to Johnny for quite awhile doing the interview and then just hanging out. He seemed mindly stricken with Pamela (as most men are even to this day) Not sure if he was maybe a little drunk but he wanted to relax and we ended up laying on our backs in some grass looking up at the stars and talking. He was very idealistic and imaginitive as I recall. After our time with Johnny we ran into Gary again and chatted with him and got photos. A very memorable time with one of my most under rated favorite bands.
Quick other topic, I definately have a fun new "scam" I have now found that if you email an air personality in Canada and tell them you are listening in AZ, you will not only get your request played, they will go on about you and AZ. I am certainly not looking for my name on the radio as you all know but I sure do get a kick out of getting them to play my canadian faves! Yesterday I got Shelby on the Q to play Haywire! She played "Bad Bad boys" yeah! I am teenage geek at 37!