The Shoeflies

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Shoeflies


Img_capt = The Shoeflies in 2001
l to r: Randy Doucette, Cory Dawe, David DeJonge, Richard DeJonge, Clark Allore
Img_size = 350
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1992–present
Label = Canis-Copis Records, Move-It Music
Associated_acts =
Current_members = Clark Allore
Cory Dawe
David DeJonge
Richard DeJonge
Randy Doucette
Past_members = Chris Rayner
George Anstey
Carrie Young
Dan Surman
Chris Brownrigg

The Shoeflies is a Canadian rock band originally formed in 1992 in Chatham, Ontario, presently comprised of vocalist/guitarist David DeJonge, vocalist/keyboard player Richard DeJonge, guitarist Cory Dawe, bassist Randy Doucette and drummer Clark Allore. The band went through a number of member changes between 1992 and 2001 (mostly with respect to bass players), with the current line-up being the longest-running line-up of the band.

History

Beginnings

The original line-up formed in 1992 in Chatham, Ontario, with high school friends Richard DeJonge (vocals/keyboards) and Cory Dawe (guitar). With a Casio keyboard, a guitar and two cowboy hats, the two played as a mock-country duo known as Rikky Dee & The Shoeflies. In 1992, the group released a self-titled 12-song album of joke songs including "Sneaky Old Bootknife", "Kiss Me Or Kill Me" and "Prison Life's A Bore”. During their "Not Quite World Tour," in early 1993 the duo, now known simply as The Shoeflies (they dropped the Rikky Dee moniker at this time), played shows in Cincinnati, Kentucky, Nashville, Memphis, and various other cities in the United States.

At the end of 1993, The Shoeflies went into Mud Creek Studios in Chatham, Ontario to record "Fly To You", a radio single that would be used to promote the band. Vocalist Ivan Arneill sang harmonies on the track, and the song received substantial radio airplay at the University of Windsor campus radio station, where Richard DeJonge attended at the time.

Three Chords and the Truth

During the summer of 1994, The Shoeflies returned to Mud Creek studios to work with producer Greg Sabitz to record their first full-length album, Three Chords And The Truth. While Richard DeJonge played keyboards and Cory Dawe played electric and acoustic guitars on the recording, session musicians were brought in for the bass and drums. Of note, Richard's brother David DeJonge (who was playing in the Toronto indie-band Janus at the time) made his debut with the Shoeflies on this project adding vocal harmonies. The album was much more serious than the 12-song recording 2 years prior, and had more of a Christian rock influence. This influence lead to an opening of a door into the Ontario Christian Rock scene, where the band became a household name for many years, and garnering radio airplay on Christian radio stations in Ontario, as well as other parts of the country.

Shortly after the break-up of Janus in March 1995, David DeJonge (vocals/guitars) officially joined The Shoeflies. The addition of David to The Shoeflies had an immeasurable impact on the band as he brought strong songwriting and performance skills, a second lead vocalist role, plus adding vocal harmonies. The Shoeflies, now a trio, played a series of summer events culminating with the annual Rhubarb Festival in Sheddon, Ontario.

” only appears in one song in their entire catalog), or in one instance, they were told that they “can’t serve two masters”, perhaps suggesting The Shoeflies were hypocritical for engaging in both music scenes.

Loudmouth Jimmy

In December 1996, The Shoeflies parted ways with bassist Chris Brownrigg over musical differences, a daring move considering they were booked to enter the studio the following month. In January 1997, The Shoeflies confined themselves to Citadel Recording Studio in Bothwell, Ontario for ten miserably cold days (where the temperature is usually –40 degrees Celsius with the wind-chill) to record Loudmouth Jimmy. Guitarist Cory Dawe played bass on the recording, and the album was a collection of material written and performed since Three Chords and the Truth. “For a Lifetime” from Three Chords and the Truth was rearranged and re-recorded during these sessions, a trend that would continue on with their next release as well. The album also featured The Shoeflies’ only instrumental to date, a Cory Dawe composition called “Back to Basics”. Cory and Clark Allore were the only two Shoeflies performing on the track, as Cory covered all the guitar parts and the bass, and Clark played the drums.

In March 1997, The Shoeflies recruited former Janus guitarist Dan Surman to play bass. Dan had never played bass before in a band setting, so his recruitment was initially on a trial basis, but on June 7, 1997 after a show in Chatham, Ontario, the band made Dan an official member of The Shoeflies.

The Loudmouth Jimmy CD release party occurred on July 11, 1997, and Clark Allore suggested an idea of playing the entire album, front to back, in order. The idea was based on shows from Clark’s Pink Floyd bootleg collection, since Floyd had a similar approach when touring albums such as Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. Two sets were played that evening – set one was Loudmouth Jimmy (with the exception of “Back to Basics”, which was not debuted live until 2003), while set two comprised of songs from Three Chords and the Truth, covers, and two brand new compositions written and rehearsed after the Loudmouth Jimmy sessions – “Infection” and “Snake”. These new songs would eventually appear on their next release 3 years later.

On July 26, 1997, two days before The Shoeflies were scheduled to play a show at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, Dan Surman left the band to pursue a tech position on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The band played the show as a 4-piece with David DeJonge and Cory Dawe switching off on bass. Another new song, “Truth in the Soul”, was debuted at this show, which is a favourite in The Shoeflies live set to this day.

as his major influences. The band continued to play shows in support of Loudmouth Jimmy for the remainder of 1997 culminating in an appearance on “The Scene” in December, a live-music show that was broadcast on Rogers Community Television in the 1990’s. Their appearance on “The Scene” included another new song that was written and performed at this time – “Coming Around”.

January to September 1998 was a very productive 8 months for the band. They played more shows than ever in such a short span of time, plus a number of new songs were written – “Deepest Part of Me”, “The Selfish Guy”, “Dancing Girl”, “Mystery” and “Somebody to Love”.

On July 13, 1998, Clark Allore decided to leave the band for personal reasons. At that point, The Shoeflies still had 12 more shows booked, so Clark fulfilled his obligation to the band by playing the remaining shows. Clark’s last show was on September 4, 1998 in Ridgetown, Ontario, and it marked a definitive end to a chapter in the band’s history.

After Clark Allore announced that he would be leaving the band, The Shoeflies started auditioning drummers in August 1998. The band eventually settled upon Chris Rayner, a hard-hitting technical drummer with a very different style than Clark. On one hand, Chris’ different style breathed new life into some of the older material, but on the other hand, it caused some friction between himself and the rest of the band as to how the drum parts should be composed.

In January 1999, The Shoeflies parted ways with bassist George Anstey. George’s replacement came in the form of Carrie Young. This would mark the only time there was a female member of the band. It is unclear if Carrie’s involvement was meant to be of a permanent nature, but she only stayed for a short period of time as she was no longer with the band by August 1999. This marked the fourth time in their history that The Shoeflies were in search of a new bass player.

The Arrival of Rando and The Chronicles of Raidy O’Frendly

Later in August 1999 month, The Shoeflies asked Niagara-area bassist Randy Doucette to join the band. The band knew Randy through Clark Allore, and he brought a wealth of experience to the band, plus having obtained a Diploma in Applied Arts (Applied Music)from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, he brought a great sense of musicianship to the band.

The Shoeflies took their time and spent almost a year recording their next album, The Chronicles of Raidy O'Frendly. This project was completed with help from Grammy-winner Joe Shugan (recording engineer for Canada's Polka King, Walter Ostanek) and Paul Milner (Keith Richards, Eddy Grant & Robert Palmer). The album was a collection of material written and performed since Loudmouth Jimmy. The Shoeflies extensively promoted the album on several radio & television programs, including several live-to-air TV performances seen by over a million Canadians. The Shoeflies arguably achieved their height of popularity in the Toronto indie-scene during this time period as they were filling such Toronto clubs as The Horseshoe Tavern and C’est What.

But as time wore on, there was a growing amount of frustration among the band members with respect to Chris Rayner’s drumming. Chris was a very technically skilled drummer, but his style had never quite fit the band. After a show in Oakville, Ontario on March 17, 2001, Chris Rayner left The Shoeflies, ending the longest consistent Shoeflies line-up at the time.

A Drummer's Return

In May 2001, Clark Allore rejoined the band after The Shoeflies and drummer Chris Rayner mutually parted ways. Since then, the band has played numerous shows throughout Ontario. The band starting writing and performing new material, as well as revisiting older material not played while Chris Rayner was in the band. Before long, The Shoeflies had enough material for another new album, but it was at this time that the members of the band thought it best to focus more on family life. While the number of shows has dwindled in recent years, The Shoeflies have never officially called it quits.

In July 2008, The Shoeflies recorded their 4th yet-to-be-named studio album at H.O.D. Studios in Newmarket, Ontario. The album will feature between 12-15 tracks, and is essentially a collection of material written and performed since 2000's The Chronicles of Raidy O'Frendly. Planning for a CD release party is also in the works.

Discography

* "The Shoeflies" (1992)
* "Three Chords and the Truth" (1994)
* "Loudmouth Jimmy" (1997)
* "The Chronicles of Raidy O'Frendly" (2000)
* "Recollection" (2003)
* "Untitled Project" (2008)

Trivia

* On August 24, 1996, Dan Surman had filled in on guitar for Cory Dawe at a show in Toronto, Ontario, so Dan was no stranger to The Shoeflies’ material at the time of joining The Shoeflies.

* During live shows in 1996-1997, Clark Allore sometimes sang lead vocals on “Rubber Chicken”, while David DeJonge would play drums.

* From March – July 1997, the band consisted of 3 former members of Janus.

* On May 21, 1998, The Shoeflies played a show in Windsor, Ontario as the supporting act for Larry Norman, a man who was known as the “Father of Christian Rock”.

* On June 21, 1998, Randy Doucette filled in on bass for George Anstey at a show in Peterborough, Ontario, marking the first time the current line-up played together.

* On August 7, 2004, Clark Allore jokingly nicknamed his wedding party "Flies '97", as it included David DeJonge, Cory Dawe, Dan Surman and Richard DeJonge as the MC.