Album Information:
Album ID: 9464
About Red Rider:
Red Rider was a Canadian rock band formed in 1978 by singer and songwriter Tom Cochrane. The band consisted of Cochrane on vocals and guitar, Ken Greer on guitar, Jeff Jones on bass, Peter Boynton on keyboards, and Rob Baker on drums.
Red Rider's music was a fusion of rock, pop, and new wave sounds with thoughtful and socially conscious lyrics. Their debut album, 'Don't Fight It,' was released in 1980 and featured their hit single 'White Hot.' The album was a commercial success in Canada, and it established the band as a rising force in the Canadian rock scene.
Red Rider continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s, with their biggest success coming in 1986 with their album 'Tom Cochrane & Red Rider: Victory Day.' The album featured the hit singles 'Big League' and 'Boy Inside the Man' and became their highest-selling album to date.
However, tensions within the band led to their breakup in 1990, with Cochrane continuing on as a solo artist. Throughout his career, Cochrane has won seven Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards) and has become an iconic figure in the Canadian music scene.
In summary, Red Rider was a Canadian rock band that emerged in the late 1970s and found commercial success with their fusion of rock, pop, and new wave sounds. Led by singer and songwriter Tom Cochrane, they produced several successful albums and hit singles before disbanding in 1990. Cochrane went on to have a successful solo career, becoming an important figure in the Canadian music scene.
About the album As Far As Siam:
As Far As Siam is an album by the Canadian rock band Red Rider, released in 1981. The band's lead vocalist, Tom Cochrane, wrote all the songs for the album.
The opening track 'Lunatic Fringe' is the most famous song on the album and remains one of Red Rider's most recognizable songs. Its hard-driving beat and high-energy guitar riffs perfectly showcase the signature sound of the band. The lyrics delve into the feeling of being an outsider, with Cochrane's impassioned vocals perfectly capturing the emotions of the song.
The second track 'Cowboys in Hong Kong (As Far as Siam)' features dreamy synth sounds and catchy guitar hooks. It tells the story of a cowboy who travels to Hong Kong for adventure and falls in love, only to eventually realize that he cannot stay and must return to his previous life.
'Only Game in Town' is a mid-tempo rocker that discusses the ups and downs of a failing relationship. The song's catchy chorus and guitar solo make it a standout track on the album.
The fourth track 'Thru the Curtain' features atmospheric synthesizer sounds and a slow-burning guitar riff. Cochrane's vocals are understated, adding to the song's reflective and contemplative tone.
The album's title track 'As Far as Siam' features Eastern-inspired melodies and instrumentation, including a sitar. The song's lyrics explore the idea of cultural differences and the desire to connect with someone from a different background.
'The Pirates of Dance' is an instrumental track that showcases the band's prowess as musicians. It's a driving and energetic piece that is easy to get lost in.
'Power (Strength in Numbers)' is a powerful anthem that encourages unity in the face of adversity. The chorus is catchy and uplifting, and the pounding drums add to the song's anthemic quality.
The final track 'Human Race' is a reflective and introspective ballad. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of feeling lost and searching for a deeper meaning in life. The song's gentle melody and Cochrane's emotive vocals provide a poignant ending to the album.
Overall, As Far As Siam is an album that showcases Red Rider's artistic strengths - soaring guitars, intricate songwriting, and poetic lyrics. It's a classic rock album that has stood the test of time and remains a beloved classic to this day.
Members:
The key members of the band Red Rider were:
1. Tom Cochrane - Lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter
Tom Cochrane was born on May 14, 1953, in Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Canada. He is a singer, songwriter, and musician who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and guitarist of Red Rider. Cochrane started his music career in the early 1970s and played with various bands. In 1978, he formed the band Red Rider with some other musicians, and they released their debut album, 'Don't Fight It.' Cochrane wrote most of the band's songs, including their biggest hits, 'Lunatic Fringe' and 'Big League.' He left the band in 1989 to pursue a solo career and has since released several successful albums.
2. Ken 'Spider' Sinnaeve - Bass guitarist
Ken 'Spider' Sinnaeve was born on September 5, 1954, in Steele, North Dakota, United States. He was the bass guitarist for Red Rider from 1982 to 1989. Before joining Red Rider, Sinnaeve played in various Canadian bands, including Streetheart and Loverboy. He left Red Rider in 1989 to join Tom Cochrane's solo band, where he continued playing bass guitar until his death in 2019.
3. Rob Baker - Guitarist
Rob Baker was born on April 10, 1962, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He joined Red Rider in 1983 as their second guitarist. Before joining the band, Baker played in various local bands. He stayed with the band until they disbanded in 1990. After Red Rider, Baker joined The Tragically Hip, a Canadian rock band, where he continues to play guitar.
4. Jeff Jones - Bass guitarist
Jeff Jones was born on September 12, 1953, in Canada. He was the original bassist for Red Rider and played on their first two albums, 'Don't Fight It' and 'As Far as Siam.' Jones left the band in 1982 to join another Canadian rock band, Rush, as their touring bassist. He continued playing with Rush until 1988.
5. Peter Boynton - Keyboardist
Peter Boynton was born on October 20, 1954, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He joined Red Rider in 1986 as their keyboardist and played on their last two albums, 'Victory Day' and 'The Symphony Sessions.' Before joining Red Rider, Boynton played in various Canadian bands, including Toronto and The Cooper Brothers. After Red Rider disbanded, Boynton went on to produce and compose music for several films and TV shows.
Track List for As Far As Siam:
Unfortunately, as an AI language model, I don't have information on audio content such as album tracks or playtimes for specific albums unless I am provided with the information. However, I can provide a brief overview of the album 'As Far As Siam' by Red Rider.
'As Far As Siam' was an album released by Canadian rock band Red Rider in 1981. The album features 10 tracks that blend rock, new wave, and pop influences. Some of the most well-known tracks on the album include 'White Hot' and 'Lunatic Fringe'.
Here's a brief description of some of the tracks on the album:
1. 'Light In The Tunnel': The album opener features pulsing synths and driving guitars, setting the tone for the rest of the album.
2. 'Power (Strength In Numbers)': A catchy, upbeat track with a singalong chorus and driving guitar riffs.
5. 'White Hot': One of the band's most popular songs, 'White Hot' features a catchy guitar riff and anthemic chorus.
8. 'Lunatic Fringe': Perhaps the most well-known track on the album, 'Lunatic Fringe' is a powerful anthem that addresses social injustice and personal freedom. The song features a driving beat and memorable guitar solos.
Overall, 'As Far As Siam' is considered one of Red Rider's most successful albums and is considered a classic of the Canadian rock scene.
Discography for Red Rider:
Red Rider was a Canadian rock band formed in 1978. Their discography is as follows:
Albums:
1. Don't Fight It (1979)
2. As Far as Siam (1981)
3. Neruda (1983)
4. Breaking Curfew (1984)
5. Tom Cochrane & Red Rider (1986)
6. Victory Day (1988)
7. The Symphony Sessions (1988)
8. The Best of Red Rider (1993)
9. Anthology (2002)
Singles:
1. 'White Hot' (1979)
2. 'Don't Fight It' (1979)
3. 'Caught in the Middle' (1981)
4. 'Lunatic Fringe' (1981)
5. 'Human Race' (1983)
6. 'Power (Strength in Numbers)' (1984)
7. 'Crack the Sky (Breakaway)' (1984)
8. 'Napoleon Sheds His Skin' (1985)
9. 'Good Times' (1986)
10. 'Big League' (1988)
Other releases:
1. 'One Way Out' (1986) - soundtrack single for movie Quicksilver
2. 'Tales of Glory' (1986) - theme song for the TV show The Mighty Jungle
3. 'Can't Turn Back' (1987) - single for charity compilation album Streetheart/Closing the Gap
4. 'White Hot' (1990) - re-recorded version for the album Ashes to Diamonds: A Collection
5. 'Lunatic Fringe' (1994) - re-recorded version for the album Trapeze: The Collection
Note: Release dates may vary slightly depending on country of origin.