Urgent (Canadian band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Urgent


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Origin = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre = Heavy metal Hard rock AOR
Years_active = 1982-1984?
Label = Epic Records Long Island Records
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Past_members = Doug Baynham Kim Hunt Wayne Siberry Glen Johansen

Urgent was a 1980's Canadian rock band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

History

Often confused with a band from New York with the same name, the Canadian band Urgent was from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and came together during the hey-day of heavy metal's hairdays. The group's origins began when drummer Kim Hunt left Zon in 1982. Also formerly of Bond, he hooked up with Doug Baynham and guitarist Wayne Siberry. With Baynham handling bass and the majority of the vocals, they began a daily regiment of practice, write and audition, practically living in the studios for 3 months. They added keboardist John McGoldrick for touring purposes and quickly established themselves as one of the hotter new heavy acts on the Ontario circuit, graduating before long to shows across the country - catching the attention of Epic Records execs along the way. They submitted a 3-song demo and were signed to a deal in the spring of 1983.
Oshawa's Glen Johansen was brought in to produce the album. His vast resume included working with Ronnie Hawkins, Eddy Grant, Nash the Slash, Martha & The Muffins and FM. The result was a slick edge to a keyboard-dominated metal sound with a thunderous backbeat and tight guitar solos. Recorded at Johansen's Toronto studio Integrated Sound, guest appearances on the LP included guitarist Stacy Heydon (Teenage Head, Iggy Pop, David Bowie) and Sheriff and Frozen Ghost's Arnold Lanni on synthesizers.

"TIMING", Urgent's one and only album, was released in the summer of 1983 and the lead single "You're Not The One" was expected to capitalize on the trend of long-haired good musicians writing above average pop-metal. Backed by "Too Hot To Handle", the song cracked the Top 20, winding up on several 'K-tel Special' type compilations. All ten tracks were collaborations between Baynham, Hunt & Siberry. "Cat On The Prowl" & the lead-off "Killer Love" was released as a 12" single before the 45 for "Deagan (Love You Leave You). Other notable tracks included "Keeper Of My Heart", "Midnight Lover" and "Bad News".

After a cross-country tour, the group quietly disbanded the next year amid shuffling within CBS, who were leaning toward acts more on the Platinum Blonde/Duran Duran end of the spectrum. They would all go on to other projects in later years, including Baynham working with Hanover Fist. Hunt would go on to also work with Hanover Fist, as well as Lee Aaron, Vice Lords, a Rod Stewart tribute and Moxy. Johansen operated Toronto's Integrated Sound for a few years, as well as working with Mick Jagger and released a self-titled solo album in 1987.

In 1994, Long Island Records re-mastered and re-issued "Timing" for the first time on CD in a special numbered edition, limited to 2000 copies worldwide. It featured a gold CD, a jewel case with gold stamped lettering, a poster with history and a new, expanded booklet with lyrics.

Members

* Doug Baynham − All vocals, Bass guitar
* Kim Hunt − Drums and Percussion
* Wayne Siberry − All guitars
* Glen Johansen − Keyboards and synthesizers

Guest musicians

* Stacy Heydon - Guitar solo on "You're Not The One"
* Arnold Lanni − Keyboards on "Killer Love"

Discography

Albums

* "Timing" (1983, re-issued 1994)"Track listing"(All songs written by Doug Baynham, Wayne Sibbery and Kim Hunt)
#Killer Love (3:20)
#Degan (Love You, Leave You) (4:52)
#You're Not The One (3:22)
#Cat On The Prowl (4:07)
#Midnight Lover (3:33)
#Keeper Of My Heart (4:04)
#Bad News (4:13)
#I'll Find A Way (3:43)
#Too Hot To Handle (3:34)

ingles

* "You're Not The One / Too Hot To Handle - 7"PS" (1984)

External links

* http://www.canadianbands.com/Urgent.html