North Star Jack - Oblivion (Live)

North Star Jack - Concede

North Star Jack - Triangle

North Star Jack - Greece

North Star Jack - Heavy A

North Star Jack - Pretty Pollution

North Star Jack - Unnatural (Live)

North Star Jack - Half Thought (Rough Demo)

"We fought the law and the law won"
"We fought the law and the law won"

With these words a band was born. We all met while running a meth amphetamine lab for a best-not-named motorcycle gang. While waiting for the explosive mixture to turn into drugs, and therefore money, the members of what was to become North Star Jack dodged both law enforcement organizations and rival criminal elements. In between this weaving and bobbing on both a physical and metaphysical level, we learned how to convert metal and magnets into music. With a cyborg jazz drummer named Mr Susu we cultivated a sound steeped in sonics, loops and melody. Not pop, not techno, not rock, not funk, not jazz, not soul, not rap. North Star Jack.

As part of our community service we played concerts for the blind and drunken frat boys of York University. We were loved. It was nice.

Now we seek more. We want to be in your home. We want one of our songs to be the song you dance to at your barmitzva, wedding or wake. We want your daughter to lose her virginity to Body Love. Jim did.

Now the real story?

2 very frustrated musicians, both between bands at the time, had a song-off one sunny lunch hour in the late 90’s, after meeting each other at work. One of them happened to be a booker of acoustic nights in downtown Toronto. So Peach invited Gareth to perform at one of these nights. Gareth asked another frustrated musician to help him out. Jim, having had a taste of the cruel machine that is the record industry with Toronto band Acid Test, was ready for something new. Peach performed solo, Gareth and Jim performed as ‘Egad Winthrop’. It was quickly realized that there was a common thought about music and ambitions between the three and they decided to band together.

The three took their idea and started to shape it, all they needed now was something to bring about a fuller impact of the vision. Peach had played in many eccentric groups with a guitar player who would be the perfect fit for the outfit. Rob started playing with North Star Jack soon after its inception and added just the right flavour in the swelling of the NSJ sound. Soon the final piece would be added to make the band’s journey complete. AToM had played with Jim in Acid Test and moved on to help such acts as Econoline Crush, and Bif Naked with his keyboard and sampling prowess. Now he would bring his own piece to the NSJ puzzle. The now complete North Star Jack would soon be ready to invade the stale Toronto music scene.

Released right out of the gate was the EP “Demogogue”. Recorded with Jason Steidman, a very talented Toronto producer, and mixed by Iain McPherson (DJ Iain), the band sent out the first wave. Soon they were playing to great crowds along the Queen St. strip, and found the challenge of transferring their idea to a live audience. The band soon went through a dramatic change as Jim went on walkabout through the cold Canadian Shield. Tim now took over in the rhythm section and a new powerful sound was emanating out of Clinton’s and The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern.

NSJ took to the road to play at RFK Stadium in Washington DC for the American Cancer Society, their first shot into the arm of the huge animal to the south. Then they headed straight to the real capital, Ottawa, to play for some new friends at Barrymore’s. Ottawa though, was so attractive that they lost Tim to her, and were back to the drawing board again.

Shortly after, Jim came back from his long journey feeling more creative and energized than ever, he was just what the band needed. NSJ went straight into the jam space and emerged with all new material and a sound that fulfilled the original vision. Soon it would be up to AToM to capture that sound in his digital studio. After a lot of work the final product was finished. "Pretty Pollution", North Star Jack’s first full-length album was complete and ready to be scrutinized.

Their CD Release Party was held Saturday December 8th, 2001 at The Reverb in Toronto. With some help from professional dancers Shugamai and Amber, their set was a HUGE success!

NSJ have high hopes and devoted supporters. As word gets out about this energetic unit, it grows to the point that the music industry cannot ignore it any longer.

They WILL win!

The greatest accomplishment of this band has to be the fact that the songs are the number one most important element of the band. These days, how many bands can say that?

NorthStarJack

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