Videos

Much of this site is a tribute to the late, lamented Montreal alternative-pop band This "Blue Piano." Contrary to what the band's name might imply, the music was neither the blues nor piano-based (although you may occasionally hear keyboards in one form or another, depending on the song). The band coined a name for its own genre, 'softcore,' in response to the tired hype surrounding the so-called 'hardcore' punk that was all the rage in Montreal circa early 1981-86. Consider it melodic jangly guitar pop (think: the Orange Juice, The Smiths, etc.). But don't take our word for it. Listen (or see) for yourself.

Here are some videos from the Waste Island Records catalogue. Enjoy. 

 
 

Originally released 1984 on the John the Baptist EP (Waste Island Records). A longtime fan favourite, the 3-minute wonder earned arguably the band's greatest share of radio airplay but was eventually dropped from the band's live set as its catalogue of songs grew ever larger and more sophisticated. Enjoy.

this "blue piano," i before e

An oldie but a goodie. The song was a perennial audience favourite, first appearing on the group's debut cassette-only album, Dick and Jane Eat God. 

this "blue piano," cut

Previously unreleased track taken from the so-called Schmeeb Sessions. The sessions were intended as preproduction demos intended for the band's second full-length album, which never came to be. 

Previously unreleased studio outtake from 1986.

"One of the finest three-minute pop singles never released." -- Ian Shuttleworth, London and Berlin-based FT theatre & pop culture critic. "You're a Finnegans Wake, you're the new George Best, you're like Simply Thrilled Honey made into flesh."

this "blue piano," then i saw you

The second video ever made for the band (after Ground's Gone, from which the thumbnail cameo is taken). It was made more than 25 years after the grou's split. Better late than never.

An epic tirade against unfeeling people (alright, "about another girl"). But we're all a bit of both victim and Übermensch, aren't we? In case you were wondering, the title appears in a line from Orange Juice's "Falling and Laughing." Enjoy.

This "Blue Piano," City of Tears

A live favourite, this is a 2012 remix that was subsequently turned into the band's third ever video (not counting the assorted home videos captured by fans, friends & family). 

Another rarity from the T"BP" canon, this time a full-length studio version of a track from the final, unreleased "NHL Suitcase" sessions (1986). Unlike the version that ultimately appeared on the VOT Records "Listen" compilation, this one has a full-on, rock-out ending.

This "Blue Piano," where am I to go?

A rare extended version of the track that originally appeared on VOT Records' Listen compilation on which the ending faded rather than ending cold, as it does on this version. The extended, animated video also includes snippets of an alternative version of the song.

Another track from the "NHL Suitcase" sessions (1985), recorded at Silent Sound studio in Montreal with engineer Morris Apelbaum.

This "Blue Piano," Jerusalem

Another previously unreleased track from the legendary “NHL Suitcase” sessions.