THE HIGHTOPS

VANCOUVER KICKS 2

1988 proved an exciting year for Bruce, when his Doo-Wop project, The Hightops won CKXY Radio's "Vancouver Kicks 2" contest and with it, a full-production music video, worth tens of thousands of dollars!

Having a music video back in the Much Music glory days was a huge deal for a Canadian artist. Vancouver's Shane Lunny Productions filmed "When the Time Comes" on 2" Technicolour film!

The song was distributed to Canadian Radio stations nation wide by Warner Electra Atlanta (WEA) alongside such epic artists as Peter Frampton, Stephen Bishop and Jesus & Mary Chain!

rock showdown '89

A year later, the industry had changed, as vinyl gave way to cassette, and film gave way to video.

The Hightops recorded their second music video, No More You, which caught the attention of Rock Showdown '89, a Canada-wide national talent search. The Hightops were chosen to represent British Columbia! The competition between nine groups was held in Toronto, Ontario on August 12, 1989. Simulcast on YTV and radio stations across the country, the show also featured performances by Lee Aaron, Platinum Blonde, Honeymoon Suite & Rick Emmett, and was hosted in part by Jim Carrey.

tangled up in love

The 1990's saw the Hightops transition from Doo-wop music into the broader spectrum of World/Roots Music influences. The addition of horn(s) and a change in the drum seat facilitated the transition easily.

In 1991, the group released a full-length LP (on cassette). Tangled Up in Love featured a Rootsy blend of original Acoustic Music with Latin, Calypso, Soul, Reggae & Blues influences. The album was co-produced by Bruce and Paul Hyde of The Payolas & Rock & Hyde fame.

Tangled Up In Love

The Hightops

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Recorded at Creation Studios in Burnaby and produced by Paul Hyde, Tangled Up in Love has a lively, Rootsy flavor.

1

Tangled Up In Love 3:18

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2

Holiday 2:55

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3

Don't Say You Love Me 3:45

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4

Lady, Lay Down 3:21

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5

Walk On By 4:10

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6

Separate Ways 3:24

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7

Love Is (Love Is Not) 3:56

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8

Girl's Gonna Kill You 2:56

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9

Do Right By Me 4:26

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10

Sunshine & Rain 3:49

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11

When the Time Comes 3:13

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12

No More You 2:48

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13

The Girl I Love 3:05

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By 1995, relationships between the band and their record label fell into disarray. A legal battle ensued, and although Bruce maintained ownership of the band's meagre assets, the group's momentum was lost. Again, he changed his focus, launching a solo recording; Any Day Soon.

CHECK OUT ANY DAY SOON