Information/Write-up
Jackal was a Canadian progressive hard rock band formed in Toronto in 1969, around brothers Chris and James Kellesis, along with their high school friend Charlie Shannon on vocals. Rooted in the B-circuit of Toronto's bar scene, they developed a gritty, organ-heavy sound that fused psychedelic textures with heavy rock power, drawing influence from acts like Deep Purple, Rory Gallagher, and Warpig. Emerging from the east-end high-school circuit, the group spent several years grinding through Scarborough and downtown barrooms, gradually sharpening their identity and stage presence. Their raw and electrifying live impact eventually caught the ear of industry veteran Art Snider, who offered them a recording and management deal through his newly launched label, Periwinkle Records. Snider’s Periwinkle imprint—already becoming a haven for Toronto underground acts—would later make Jackal’s lone LP one of the label’s most sought-after artifacts.
By the time they entered the studio in early 1973, the lineup had solidified with Charlie Shannon on vocals, Chris Kellesis on keyboards and organ, Dave Bernard on guitar, and James Kellesis on drums. This recording-era lineup represented a later, more mature incarnation of Jackal, distinct from the looser 1969–71 bar-circuit formation. Early incarnations of the band included guitarist and songwriter Steve Hayward and songwriter Lois Mutton, whose material would later appear on the album. Years of steady gigging had reshaped the group into a heavier, more ambitious unit. The band recorded with engineer Bob Stright at Sound Canada, Toronto, Ontario, a studio that at the time was becoming a focal point for Toronto’s hard-rock and psych underground (hosting groups like Bent Wind and Warrior). Its thick, analog sound perfectly suited Jackal’s organ-driven attack. Together they recorded what would become their only album, Awake.
Released later that year, the album showcased Jackal's unique blend of fuzz-drenched guitars, extended organ solos, and Shannon’s raspy, Jagger-esque vocals. The songwriting, led primarily by the Kellesis brothers with two contributions from Steve Hayward and one co-written with Lois Mutton, pushed beyond the typical three-minute single format. Tracks like “At the Station,” “Sunny Side of the Day,” and the soaring title cut “Awake” reflected a group that leaned into musical ambition without losing their hard-edged groove. Collectors often single out “At the Station” as the band’s signature track, while the melodic lift of “Sunny Side of the Day” and the multi-section sweep of “Awake” reveal how far the group had moved beyond its bar-band origins.
Despite the strength of the record, no singles were released and the band lacked the financial backing for widespread promotion or touring.
Without airplay or support, the album quietly slipped into obscurity. Whatever regional attention it may have received on stations like CHUM-FM or CKFH was minimal and undocumented, leaving the record largely undiscovered outside collector circles. Within a year, Jackal had disbanded, their members moving on from music to day jobs and other paths. Yet over time, Awake earned a cult reputation among collectors and psych-prog enthusiasts, praised for its heavy sound, authentic energy, and unfiltered expression of early ’70s rock experimentation. Original Periwinkle LPs have since become highly prized artifacts of the Toronto underground, anchoring the album’s reputation as a lost cornerstone of early Canadian hard-prog. Though Jackal’s time was short-lived, their lone album remains a vivid and enduring snapshot of a band that, for a brief moment, truly roared.
-Robert Williston
Musicians
Charlie Shannon: vocals
Dave Bernard: guitar
Chris Kellesis: keyboards, organ
James Kellesis: drums
Songwriting
‘At the Station’ written by Chris Kellesis
‘For You’ written by Chris Kellesis
‘Sunny Side of the Day’ written by Steve Hayward
‘A New Day Has Arisen’ written by Chris Kellesis and James Kellesis
‘How Time Has Flown’ written by Chris Kellesis and James Kellesis
‘Lost in the World’ written by Steve Hayward
‘In the Heavens’ written by Chris Kellesis and Lois Mutton
‘Awake’ written by Chris Kellesis
All selections published through Jiloral Music (CAPAC)
Production
Produced by Jackal and Periwinkle Records
Engineered by Bob Stright
Recorded at Sound Canada, Toronto, Ontario
Artwork
Cover design and illustration by Julius Ciss
Notes
Album co-ordinated by Allan Park
Distributed through Mark II Distributors
1262 Don Mills Road, Unit 3A, Toronto, Ontario
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