Chris Staig
Chris Staig:
Has won praises for his solo recordings, and for his work with other performers.
Used to play guitar for a bagpipe funk band called Taxi Chain. Way back in the mid nineties when one could play 3 nights a week in bars and not starve. Even if there was a bagpiper in your band.
Made two solo CDs he’s proud of. Deeper We’ll Dream (2000) caused Kurt Swinghammer to call Staig “surprise local discovery of the year” and The Toronto Sun to call him “a song writing Charles Atlas”. Death of Romance (2003) caused Staig to receive a lot angry phone calls from ex lovers and employers. Songwriter Jonathan Seet best summed up the second CD as “damn f**** straight, man”. Both discs have received commercial, campus and CBC radio play.
Has played a lot of guitar with Greg Hobbs and is happy with the guitar playing on the CDs “Drake Motel” (2001) and “Threats and Promises” (2004). Hobbs says “Staig has an uncanny ability to colour a song perfectly without showing off.” Staig has also recorded and played live with Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene. His guitar playing is featured on the track "Blue Skies" from Collett's CD "Motor Motel Love Songs"
Recently retired from hosting weekly the open mic night at Toronto’s Old York Tavern after six and half years. Will now only host the first Wednesday of every month. Is not driving everyone home at the end of the night anymore either.
Is probably the only songwriter who will have his work covered and recorded by both power pop cynic Dan Bryk (“Honest Love”) and Canadian novelty song act The Arrogant Worms (“Buy a Bottle of Booze”)
Likes to play music with Josh Hicks on the drums, Ayron Mortley (Taxi Chain, The Mahones) on guitar and Dennis Mohammed (Wild Strawberries, Kathryn Rose) on bass. Misses the house he used to share with Josh Hicks at on Davenport Rd.
Has a new CD called “Davenport” that has been described as a labour of friendship and a triumph of hard won optimism. Was produced by Josh Hicks at the Purple Tea Room Studio on Davenport Rd. A recent review notes that "Davenport features a winning combination of power pop, roots rock and singer/songwriter pop. There are also hints of Neil Young and John Lennon as well as Grandaddy's Jason Lytle. Things start off in fine fashion with Staig pleading for a "Rock'n'Roll Holiday", as it's "time to blow up my television/can't make shopping my new religion.”
Enjoyed the many live shows he played with his band in 2006. Has resolved to keep playing guitar, writing songs and playing as many shows as possible in 2007.