Canon was a short lived Philadelphia area band, Doylestown to be exact. Vegan straight edge was ascending in status throughout the hardcore scene. These youngsters picked up "Firestorm" and must have been immensely inspired by it. I had the chance to see these guys play a few times back then. I was still in highschool in central PA and would make the trip to Philly or NJ what seemed like every other weekend. Basements, firehalls, & church shows were in their glory. Up and coming local bands at this time for the 215 area were Frail and Canon (who happened to share a drummer). Both were straight edge bands with political slants but extremely different in sound.
Canon drew influences from the burgeoning Syracuse hardcore scene. At times they remind me of Earth Crisis, Green Rage, and what Morning Again would later go on to do. Their live shows were decent and the kids seemed into what they were doing. After a locally distributed demo word on the street was they had a 7" coming out soon. I remember that this 7" took quite some time to be released, like almost a year or so. It was on Chapter Records which was ran by the same guy who did Fade In mailorder. Many people were starting to talk about their sketchy dealings and lack of responsibility & organization. After many months the 7" finally saw the light of day and at the time, the slick glossy 7" sleeve was real impressive.
I'm not too sure how long after the 7" came out that the band broke up or as to why they did. I would have been interested to hear more that came from them. The title track "The Solution" lyrically is something that I have always felt is overlooked in the straight edge scene, promiscuous sex. So having always adhered to this level of responsibility myself I was and still am glad that bands touch(ed) on these subjects. Now whether or not they back these lyrics up is another thing. I'd be real curious to know how many from Canon are indeed still vegan and still straight edge, but that really makes no difference to me. They released a solid 7" and put on a good live set and have a place in my memories from 1994-95.
CANON "The Solution" 7" recorded Nov 1994
Released on Chapter Records
1. "Self Destruct"
2. "The Solution"
3. "Declaration"
4. "Into the Fire"
17 comments:
awesome EMS, I've wanted to hear these dudes for a while ;) I hear a little abnegation too!!
this is awesome!
The drummer is on Myspace, he found me, and he now works on "V Dubs" He was always a sweet dude, and my favorite dude from those bands.
About "The Solution"... if I remember correctly, which is questionable, I am pretty sure that the singer knocked up a girl shortly after the band broke up. Yes, out of wedlock.
i'm fairly certain ryan and joe were actually from newtown.
i haven't seen either in years, and not to speak for them, but i can assure you neither was straight edge at those times.
get the autumn demo up here. i can't find mine for the life of me.
Long time no talk, how ya doing?
I remember booking those guys for a show after I saw them at a show in Jersey at an old community gymnasium, and then they broke up right before they were going to play in Syracuse. I though they were really good.
- mckaig
mckaig.livejournal.com
They actually DID play Syracuse once because that we the one and only time I got to see them. Phenomenal 7" for that time period (and it still gives me chills at times). Always said they should've been a Syracuse band.
Shame they didn't release anything else. Could have easily given Earth Crisis a run for their money as vegan edge pioneers.
"Phenomenal" seems a bit much but this is definitely solid. I bet if the recording were a little clearer (i.e. if it sounded exactly like the "Firestorm" EP) I'd dig it more because the chug factor would be totally over the top. I've passed up buying this 7" for a buck or less on a few occasions over the last decade, I don't really know why!?
great band, a favourite of me along with green rage...
can tell you right now, no one is sxe now.
whole foods on south street for the singer, who's recently cleaned up his act if you know what i mean.
2nd unreleased 7" may soon see the light of day.
Oh my god, I haven't heard these songs in at least a decade. And I thought I never would again because I don't have a record player anymore. Thank you so much for these.
A+ post! My boy Frank Allegria released this on Fade In years ago.
There was rumours of some DAT disappearing with a full album or some such thing.
Thanks for posting this!
Somebody told me that they recorded five songs for the 7" and only 4 went on it. So we are all in need of the fifth song! Or is the demo tape the 5 song version and the recordings were used for the 7"? If anyone can post, dub or trade this: please drop me a line.
My really good friend in SF gets his weed from a dude from this band.
just check my auctions on ebay,... the Canon "The Solutions" is free for bidding! I have much more stuff from bandy like Chokehold, Brothers Keeper, Buried Alive,... Please check "straight24edge" on Ebay ;-)
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I randomly thought of this band and did a google search. Found this page. I remember being at a Earth Crisis show in Stroudsburg, PA. around 1996 or so. I believe the venue was called Spanky's and there was a dude there selling merch. I was sifting through the 7 inches and came upon Cannon. I asked the merch guy how canon was, he said they were great. Then he said actually it's my band. I looked on the back cover and sure enough it was him (bass player). Bought it and remember liking it, but damn it's been a while since I listened to it. I'm still edge as I was 15 years ago. I just don't understand why people break it. unfortunately a fad for some.
I have been looking for this for years
I knew Joe. He played hockey with my little brother. I heard thru a friend he od'd a few years back. Nice kid. I remember giving him the Exploited ' s beat the bastard lp and he loved it it. He said it should have been a hardcore record instead of being label punk. I also remember his love for King Diamond. ... He had vast music diversity in his influences.
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