The Northern Pikes

For the fish, see Northern Pike.
The Northern Pikes
Origin Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Genres Rock
Years active 1984 – 1993
1999 – present
Labels Virgin
Website thenorthernpikes.com
Members Jay Semko
Bryan Potvin
Don Schmid
Past members Merl Bryck
Glen Hollingshead
Ross Nykiforuk
Notable instruments
Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals

The Northern Pikes are a Canadian rock band formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1984. The original members are Jay Semko, Bryan Potvin, Merl Bryck and Glen Hollingshead who left the band in 1985, and was replaced by Don Schmid in June 1986.

The band was active until 1993, and toured and recorded again from 1999 through to the present.

The Northern Pikes were inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, September 30, 2012 in Regina Saskatchewan. The entire band, Jay Semko, Merl Bryck, Don Schmid and Bryan Potvin performed at the induction ceremony.

History

The Northern Pikes released two independent EPs before being signed to Virgin Records in 1986, "The Northern Pikes" (1984) and "Scene in North America" (1985). They also recorded a song for Saskatchewan After Dark, a 1985 compilation of Saskatchewan-based artists sponsored by the provincial government. Their first album for Virgin, Big Blue Sky, included the Semko-penned "Teenland", the band's first significant hit. The follow-up album Secrets of the Alibi contained three Canadian hits, "Wait for Me", "Let's Pretend" & "Hopes Go Astray".

Their 1990 album, Snow in June became their biggest seller in Canada and the US. That album's lead single, "She Ain't Pretty", was the band's biggest hit, and was written by Potvin. An innovative music video for that song received heavy play on MuchMusic and was nominated for a Juno Award. Overall, the band has been nominated for 5 Juno Awards, but have yet to record a win.

In 1992, the band released Neptune. The album's biggest hit, "Believe", was written by Potvin. After touring to support the album, they announced their retirement as a group in July 1993.

In 1999, Virgin Records asked the band members for their input on a "greatest hits" package. The band decided to do a short promotional tour following the release of Hits and Assorted Secrets 1984-1993, but found themselves enjoying the more relaxed independence of making their own schedule that they continued touring. They have since released three independent albums, including Truest Inspiration (2001) and It's a Good Life (2003), as well as the aptly titled Live (2000).

In 2005, the band struck up a musical collaboration with Les Stroud. Throughout 2005 and 2006 they performed together live several times. A six-song EP born from this collaboration entitled Long Walk Home was released in the spring of 2007, and was credited to "Les Stroud & The Pikes".[1][2][3]

Discography

Singles

Release date Title Chart peak Album
CAN US
June 1987 "Teenland" (Semko) 29 Big Blue Sky
October 1987 "Things I Do For Money" (Semko) 85
January 1988 "Dancing In A Dance Club" (Semko)
August 1988 "Wait For Me" (Semko) 58 Secrets of the Alibi
November 1988 "Hopes Go Astray" (Potvin) 45
April 1989 "Let's Pretend" (Semko) 66
May 1990 "She Ain't Pretty" (Potvin) 6 86 Snow in June
August 1990 "Girl With A Problem" (Semko) 8
November 1990 "Kiss Me You Fool" (Bryck/Semko) 12
March 1991 "Dream Away" (Potvin) 47
October 1992 "Twister" (Semko/Potvin) 25 Neptune
February 1993 "Believe" (Potvin) 17
April 1993 "Worlds Away" (Semko) 40
2001 "Echo Off The Beach" (Potvin) Truest Inspiration
2001 "Colour Into Colour" (Bryck)
2003 "It's A Good Life" (Semko) It's a Good Life
2003 "Underwater" (Bryck)

Independently-released EPs

Contribution

Studio albums

Collaborative EP

Live albums

Compilations

References

Citations
  1. ↑ "Survivorman a catch for the Northern Pikes". Entertainment. Parry Sound North Star. 2006-03-22. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  2. ↑ http://thedesignfirm.ca/the-work/les-stroud-the-pikes
  3. ↑ "News". The Northern Pikes - Official Website. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
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