Watch, The

Websites:  http://www.bandmix.ca/bassbyberryhotmailcom/
Origin: Guelph → Cochrane, Ontario, 🇨🇦
Biography:

The Watch were a hard-driving Canadian heavy metal rock band originally based out of Guelph, Ontario, active in the early 1980s. The group had previously toured under the name Toyz, playing relentlessly across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Performing in bars, dance halls, and lodges, they hauled four tons of equipment from show to show while building a reputation for their tight musicianship and energetic live act.

At the time, the members were barely old enough to legally play in bars, yet were already seasoned on the circuit. "You learn to run on empty," recalled road manager Rob Tripp. The band regularly overhauled their stage show with fresh material every few weeks in order to keep up with tough competition, tight agent expectations, and shifting club demands. “There are many new wave bands—agents are pushing this change,” said sound tech Bill Henry in a 1980 interview. “But only a few heavy metal bands can ride it out. They will come back on top, and we’ll make it.”

During this era, they recorded material for Toronto radio station Q107’s Homegrown compilation. The band was initially selected, but the offer was retracted the following day — likely deemed not commercial enough for the station’s preferred format.

Eventually, the group relocated to Cochrane, Ontario and rebranded as The Watch, forming the band’s first formal studio project.

In 1982, The Watch recorded and independently released their self-titled 12" EP at Orchard Studios. The release captured the melodic, guitar-driven heavy rock sound they had forged on the road, and stands as their sole official studio recording.

Although The Watch released just one record, the group’s history reflects the reality of many Canadian independent rock acts of the era — self-financed touring, creative resilience, and the ongoing challenge of breaking through industry barriers.

Barry Bevan remained active in the music scene long after The Watch, performing regularly in the Cambridge and Guelph areas with bands such as Sapphire City and running his own bass instruction studio. In 2013, Barry donated a significant archive of photographs and memorabilia to the Museum of Canadian Music (CitizenFreak.com), helping to preserve the full story of The Watch.

Note: This band should not be confused with the unrelated Toronto-based group also named Toyz, who released a separate 12" EP in 1989 (Amapro Productions), featuring Aldo and Sam Vaccaro and Phil Naro.
-Robert Williston

Tony Annoni: lead vocals
Barry Bevan: bass, vocals
Dave O'Connor: guitar, keyboards and vocals
Lance Mapplebeck: percussion and vocals

Produced by Orchard Studios and The Watch
Recorded at Orchard Studios

Photography by Jeff Evoy
Front cover by Warren Scott