A Good Time

Last night, Trooper made their annual visit to Barrie. Always great to see my favourite band perform. You might know their songs "We're Here For A Good Time" or "Boys In The Bright White Sports Car". Canadian classic rock at its best.

Singer Ra McGuire (from White Rock - the fish and chips capital of the world) and guitarist Brian W. Smith (also from the Van area) are the founders and have been in the band for 42 years - I really admire a partnership that can last that long. Through all the touring, record company junk, airports, wow. Marriages are probably not as strong as these two guys.

The set list hasn't really changed over the last ten years. In fact, I can recite it to you. I can also recite Ra's song introductions. But here's the attraction - the showmanship and accuracy are dead on. Ra's voice continues to deliver. Brian - "the czar of the guitar" discharges power chords with that stat sound. Scott Brown on bass seems to be hanging in and lovin' it. Gogo, on keyboards - I'm not sure what's up with him but Ra's intro for Gogo gets longer with every show. And stomping out a seriously heavy beat is Clayton Hill. Wow! As a drummer, I was fixated on Clayton for most of the set, watching his aggressive fills and splashes that were certainly more complex that the original radio hit, mixing up the beats, all for the better, and gosh he is amazing!

Next month, Ra gets to play his favourite venue - the Vancouver Commodore Ballroom - and for the first time he'll perform with his son Connor. According to Ra's online blog, he and his son have a strong music bond and I know he's pretty excited about the dad/son performance. I understand. I can't wait to see my son Brett perform with his new band "Handsome and Gretyl" - hopefully soon. Maybe he'll need a drummer?!

Trooper. Ra. You still rock, man! Mmmm. "The boys are really rollin'...."

(Photo - me and Ra from my archives)