Local Rabbits, Inbreds Weeping Tile And Others Record Secret Tribute Album To The Rheostatics

After 21 years together, prog-pop, Can-rock band The Rheostatics will play their final show on March 30 at Toronto's Massey Hall. As a surprise going-away present, fellow musicians and fans quietly put together a tribute to their friends and colleagues and called it Secret Sessions.

The album was curated by Zunior.com's stealth master, Dave Ullrich, who even got some '90s bands to briefly reunite for the project. Weeping Tile (Sarah Harmer, Luther Wright), The Inbreds (Ullrich, Mike O'Neill) and The Local Rabbits (Peter Elkas, Ben Gunning) were among those who got together early this year to record their favourite Rheos' songs and pay homage to the band.

"Of all they gave to us, though, the most valuable is, without a doubt, their demonstration of what it means to be truly independent," says Gunning of The Rheostatics. "Not just 'indie' as a synonym for 'unsigned,' but independent of the trends of the day creatively unfettered."

The final product was presented to The Rheostatics live on air by another old friend, 102.1 The Edge's Dave Bookman, on March 16. The album can be purchased from Zunior.com, complete with a printable digital artwork package. A limited run of CDs will be available by mail order from Zunior and at Toronto's Soundscapes and the Six Shooter Records store. All sales proceeds will go to charity.

Here are the songs on Rheostatics Tribute: Secret Sessions:
The Weakerthans — "Bad Time To Be Poor"
Steve Stanley and Carla MacNeil — "Take Me In Your Hand"
Weeping Tile — "Public Square"
Wooden Stars — "Saskatchewan"
The Inbreds — "Dope Fiends And Booze Hounds"
King Cobb Steelie — "Seven Stars Remix"
Barenaked Ladies — "Legal Age Life"
The Golden Seals — "Loving Arms"
Cuff The Duke — "Claire"
Chris Brown and Kate Fenner — "Stolen Car"
By Divine Right — "Shaved Head"
Dylan Hudecki — "Satan Is The Whistler"
The Local Rabbits — "Record Body Count"