Aliens (Christmas 1988) by Rheostatics

[stefancaunter]

Dave Bookman 2:25 Hillside 1988 Guelph Greatest backing vocals since the Kinks thank you all

[beezneez29]

Anyone notice the guys from Barenaked Ladies in this video, just after they run through the bog R in the beginning.

[Sheldon66]

I saw these guys perform this song, had a beer with them in guess where???? Melville!!!

[MembrainJ]

I miss the fall nationals :( At least the memories of great shows in a small venue will last a lifetime.

[willyrotten69]

The title of this song is actually Aliens (Christmas 1988). A favourite Christmas song of mine.

[TheMehlen1]

Was lucky enough to see them many times during the sprouts weeks at the shoe, Bathurst Street Theatre, Lastman Square and down the list. Also at their last show at Massey Hall. Truly missed, the legend lives on.

[gpoop23]

Oh jeez. Me and the boys saw this band at the lodge last Sunday! While we were eating moose meat and beaver tails, we talked about music and igloos and Canadian shit, eh?

[jeffkahl]

Hey cool! A cameo appearance by a then-unknown Barenaked Ladies!

[faerytub]

I became a fan after working at Clinton's and seeing them play there one night in, oh, 1990. I was transfixed. Happy to find a band that played the soundtrack to my brain. A friend working on this video and asked me if I wanted to help out at the shoot. I can see my shadows in the footage. I miss seeing them. There is a sizeable hole in Canandian music without them together.

[flynntronthx1138]

This band came and went undetected by most Canadians, It's our fault that we did not support them like we should have. One of Neil Peart 's favorite bands, they are the musicians of musicians. Gordon Lightfoot said their version of the wreck of the edmunfitzgerald had to be one of the most haunting renditions he's ever heard.

Melville is their black album! I do hope you get the last reference.

[WelderChick7]

They did one hell of a job on the Edmund Fitzgerald...

Sorry... but The Rheos blow away Rush, in my opinion. Getty, has one hell of a horrible voice and their riffs and crap are all too similar...

[FOWLMUSIC]

@WelderChick7

You are a terrible human being for hating RUSH.

However, you redeem yourself by loving Rheos!

[WelderChick7]

@FOWLMUSIC You can only listen to Geddy's voice for so long... I like old Rush... after the 80's... ka-ka! hehe...

[lilnetty2]

just a great song.

[ScreamerWantsWetFood]

Martin Tielli was such a fucking hottie!

[mushroomheadsquish]

shit... nice stuff... why didn't I know of these guys... Canadians... eh...

[bradsmith72]

That is a very common reaction to hearing the Rheos for the first time. Not a lot of people recognize the genius of the Rheos, which is why they remain largely undiscovered in the world. Those who do recognize it, get addicted quickly. Melville is a good album to introduce yourself to the band. Enjoy!

[RyanTheComedyKid]

@bradsmith72 You hit the nail on the head, man. This has quickly became my favourite band with tunes like Row from Introducing Happiness, We Went West from Night of The Shooting Stars and King of the Past from Whale Music on constant loop in my head

[FOWLMUSIC]

@mushroomheadsquish

I hope you've now had some time to explore and digest the band! It doesn't get much better than the Rheostatcis!

[mushroomheadsquish]

are these guys canadian?

[bandcouver]

Yep. Very much so. From Etobicoke,Ontario. One of our best, and very underappreciated on the clueless commercial stations. Too unique I guess.

[alloowishus]

Dave is not a fan of Neil Young, and yet apparently Martin nearly strangled him over this. You can see all the bones and stuffed birds from Martins previous job at a museum (he was an illustrator). This is so typically mid 90's canadian goofiness.

[Leadingnorth]

Great Art!!

[Beauvoir666]

One of the most imaginative and creative music videos I've ever seen. Fantastic!

PS. Martin Tielli is truely one of Canada's most original and awe-inspiring talents.

[FOWLMUSIC]

Wow, what a great video! Fun yet creepy.

[littleone30]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!!! i love how the Barenaked Ladies welcome you into the "R". Who else appears?? And I rather love how Martin is catalogued under "art".

[lilnetty2]

awesome yes,but the ladies was the low moment of the piece for me,glad it was quick (shudder).

[HarvBand]

My fave rheostatics song of all - Great post

[Maebashi]

Now that the Rheostatics have folded let their legend grow!!!!! They will be back, I promise you!

[jordancooperlalala]

A thousand thank yous