Information/Write-up
Brian Medway (lead guitar, vocals), Brian Clasby (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Laurie Roberts (bass, vocals) first played together in southern England during the mid-sixties, performing in local groups such as The Traces and Sound Squad. When Medway emigrated to Canada with his family in 1966, his bandmates soon followed, reuniting in 1967 in New Westminster under the new name Meddy’s People. Haney-born drummer Dale Waddell completed the first Canadian lineup; he was later replaced by Dave Wilson (formerly of Paisley Rain and later with Heart on one album).
Originally a tight mod R&B outfit inspired by the Who and the Small Faces, Meddy’s People brought their sharp British energy to the Vancouver club scene. They performed regularly at Danny’s Discotheque, The Cave, Village Bistro, Grouse Nest, The Bayshore Inn, and the Planetarium, as well as malls, schools, and fairs—often sponsored by radio station CKLG 73. Managed by Fred Medway (with costumes by Toni Medway and lighting by Peter Medway), the band was one of the most active live acts in the Lower Mainland, playing hundreds of shows between 1967 and 1969.
Signed to Quality Records, Meddy’s People released three singles in rapid succession:
“Sha La La Lee” b/w “Substitute” (Quality 1906X, 1968) – brisk covers of British Invasion hits by the Small Faces and the Who.
“Yes I Will” b/w “Hideaway” (Quality 1914X, 1968) – their take on the Hollies and Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich.
“Fantasy World” b/w “Mister Sister” (Quality 1931X, Dec 1968) – two original songs written and produced by Medway, recorded at Aragon Recording Studios in Vancouver (later Mushroom Studios).
The label’s enigmatic credit “Produced by Accident” was a joke—Medway later confirmed he produced the session himself and used the phrase to avoid his name appearing twice. The single earned “Recommended Canadian Content” status in RPM Magazine during mid-1969, though it failed to chart. In retrospect, critics have hailed it as “the closest thing to UK freakbeat ever issued in Canada,” and fans on Discogs have ranked “Fantasy World” among their all-time favourite songs. Its biting guitar tone and Keith Moon-style drumming show a band translating London mod energy into Vancouver psychedelia.
By late 1969, Meddy’s People had split up. Brian Medway later formed the progressive power trio Pegasus, with Orlando Dolinski (bass) and Joe “Ziggy” Zicardo (drums), touring Canada alongside Rory Gallagher before leaving the music business in 1976. Though their records sold modestly at the time, Meddy’s People remain a key bridge between England’s mid-sixties mod movement and Canada’s burgeoning psychedelic underground — their rare Quality 45 “Fantasy World” is now a coveted collector’s item and a cornerstone of Canadian garage-rock heritage.
-Robert Williston
Written by Gerry Goffin and Russ Titleman (Yes I Will); and Howard Blaikley (Hideaway)
Brian Medway: lead guitar, vocals
Brian Clasby: rhythm guitar, vocals
Laurie Roberts: bass, vocals
Dale Waddell: drums
Dave Wilson: drums
Produced by Daryl Burlingham
No Comments