ABOUT US

The story of The Yohawks dates back to the days of the “British Invasion”, just before the Summer of Love, and long before commercial radio became formatted for specific music genres and listener demographics. “Back in the day” bands would book four hours of studio time in Montreal (Ottawa didn’t have a professional studio then) and record an A side and a couple of B sides, send the master off to the Smiths Falls RCA pressing plant, and hear themselves on CFRA, CKOY, or CJET two weeks later.

THE PLAYERS

In the late sixties, as part of the Five D, an Ottawa band which enjoyed success throughout eastern Ontario, Dave Poulin, Brian Bradfield, Brad Campbell and Keith Richardson formed a lasting friendship that, forty-two years later, has resulted in their first album of fresh, original songs. While each member went on to other musical endeavors after the Five D, it’s only now that time and technology has allowed the group to explore their collective creativity without any constraints.

THE PROCESS

It was Brian’s suggestion a few years back that the boys get together to jam. As the owner of the recording facility studioNINE, Dave suggested that there be a purpose to these jams and proposed that everyone present their original material to work on as a group. These weekly get-togethers produced over twenty new songs which were finally pared down to the twelve cuts that appear on the album. As the project neared completion, it became apparent that a first class horn section - with world class arrangements, was the final touch needed to finish off this five year labour of love.

The NAME

It was appropriate to find a new identity for this project, as the material in no way resembles the “bubble gum” sound of Ottawa’s first “boy band”. After several attempts at finding a name (some funny, some rude) the band settled on The Yohawks. The name has a special meaning and a history in Ottawa. In the late sixties, a Yohawk was a person who dressed with a certain style; sneakers, desert boots or penny loafers, with a plaid, madras or paisley shirt and tight fitting chinos. On the other side were The Squirrels. With their jet boots, greasy hair and jean jackets they presented a tough façade. This was Ottawa’s version of “Mods” and “Rockers”, and the first recorded gangs in the city.

The NEXT CHAPTER

The Yohawks have released their recording debut, MPH, and are playing gigs in support of the album. If you'd like to hire The Yohawks, please contact info@yohawks.com. To find out where we're playing, check out our Gigs Page.