Thrush Hermit– “North Dakota” – Sweet Homewrecker
Thrush Hermit was formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1992 by Joel Plaskett (vocals, guitar), Rob Benvie (vocals, guitar), Ian McGettigan (vocals, bass), and Michael Catano (drums). [wikipedia] The single "North Dakota" was probably considered too "heavy" for most U.S. alternative stations in 1997 (though it did well in Canada). [allmusic]
Pluto – “When She Was Happy” – Pluto
Pluto formed in 1993 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1993 to 1999. The band was nominated for Best New Group at the 1997 Juno Awards. Their single "Paste" appeared on the first Big Shiny Tunes compilation. The band briefly reunited for Mint Records' 20th Anniversary Concert. [wikipedia]
Cub – “Magic 8 Ball” – Box Of Hair
Third album
Box of Hair in 1996 - Vancouver-based trio Cub had settled into a consistent lineup-- drummer Lisa G, bassist/frontwoman Lisa Marr, and guitarist Robynn Iwata. On "Magic 8 Ball", Marr serenades a crush with a list of lucky charms, as accordion, lilting harmonies, and a rickety, Merseybeat-esque backing move to a chorus about the title toy. One of Cub's best-ever songs? [pitchfork]
Cool Blue Halo– “Throw Me Down” – Kangaroo
The power pop band
Cool Blue Halo was formed in 1990 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It's an album full of sparkling, smart, and memorable power pop songs.
Cool Blue Halo's fuzzy, fizzy guitars suit the vocalists' harmonies quite well; the album is full of toe-tapping pop gems that took the best of
Sugar,
the Doughboys, and
Jesus and Mary Chain. [allmusic]
Tristan Psionic– “Air Traffic Control” – TPA Flight 028
Triston Psionic was formed in 1991 in an industrial warehouse loft in
Hamilton, Ontario. The band members also founded the music label
Sonic Unyon. The album held the number one position for Canadian college radio for eight weeks. It also reached the top thirty on the
CMJ (Top 200) college radio albums chart. [wikipedia]