Cats Can Fly

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Cats Can Fly


Img_capt = Canadian Pop Band Cats Can Fly.
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Origin = Ontario, Canada
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Genre = Synthpop
Years_active = 1982–1987
Label = CBS Records/Sony Music Entertainment
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Members = David Ashley, Mitchell James, Peter Alexandre and Eddie Zeeman
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Cats Can Fly was a Canadian synthpop band in the 1980s. They released one album in 1986.

Cats Can Fly began as a school rock band called Ethos at Elia Junior High School (now Elia Middle School) in North York, Ontario in 1971. The original members were Jim Longmuir on guitar, Alan Frizell on guitar, Frank Miller on drums and Peter Steele (later Peter Alexandre) on bass. It was formed under the supervision of School Board consultant Laura Lapedus. The following year Mitch James replaced Jim Longmuir, Alan left, David Ashley replaced Peter on bass and Peter switched to keyboards.

After a US-based band with the same name released an album the group changed its name to Scamp. Frank Miller eventually left the group and several drummers were employed including Phil Knipe, Andy Berman, Geoff Geddes and Bill Hibbs. Scamp toured Canada as a bar band and had limited success including touring with Burton Cummings, winning the CFTR Talent Search and appearing on Global at Noon. Ms. Lapedus eventually became the band's co-manager along with Wayne Baguley and Warren Keach.

In 1980 Scamp recorded an album with producer Jack Richardson of Guess Who, Bob Seger and Brecker Brothers fame. Distribution could not be established, however, and the record was never released.

Eddie Zeeman became the band's drummer in 1982 and Scamp changed its name to Cats Can Fly shortly thereafter. In its final form it consisted of vocalist-bassist David Ashley, guitarist Mitchell James, keyboardist Peter Alexandre and vocalist-drummer Eddie Zeeman. One of the band's great strengths was the fact that all four members were talented vocalists. This allowed them to include strong vocal harmonies in their arrangements. They were signed after winning a cross-Canada talent search sponsored by a cigarette company, Craven A. (The same talent search also led to a recording contract for Belinda Metz.)

Their self-titled album, released on CBS Records, contained the Top 40 hits "Flipping to the A Side" and "Lies Are Gonna Get Ya". Despite their success, CBS dumped the band in a major housecleaning that preceded its 1988 takeover by Sony Music Entertainment. The band subsequently broke up.

Discography

* Cats Can Fly (CD, LP, Epic Records 1986)
* Touch Touch (Inde EP, 1984)
* Father Was a Foreigner/Touch Touch (single, Axe Records 1984)