Nemesis

Websites:  No
Origin: Kaleden, British Columbia, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Emerging from the Okanagan region of British Columbia in the early 1970s, Nemesis was a short-lived but highly accomplished soft rock-psych quartet led by guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Gord McPhedran. Formed in Kaleden—a small lakeside community south of Penticton—the band’s lineup featured Gord McPhedran (vocals, guitar), Barry Glenn (guitar), Terry Cormack (bass), and Gary Giesbrecht (drums). Though their existence was brief, Nemesis left behind a singular collectible 45 that has become a prized piece of Canadian private press history.

In 1973, Nemesis entered the studio to record two original tracks: “Dreams Are For Dreamers” (written by McPhedran), and the slightly more progressive “Quasar Connection” (co-written by McPhedran and Glenn). Both songs capture the warm, melodic tendencies of early '70s soft psych, blending acoustic textures, lush harmonies, and cosmic lyrical imagery. The single was issued on the private Brothers label (BRS-0017), engineered by Jim Thievin, and distributed locally in small quantities, making surviving copies highly sought after today by collectors of rare Canadian rock. Estimated value for clean originals now approaches $150.

While Nemesis disbanded not long after the release, its members remained active in the Western Canadian music scene for decades to come:

Gord McPhedran (March 25, 1955 – March 17, 2011) continued to perform in bands such as Salem and Wildcard, and later established a successful career as a telecommunications entrepreneur and inventor. Known for his warm personality, dry wit, and mentorship, Gord’s love for music and performing remained lifelong passions. He passed away in Calgary after a long battle with heart disease, leaving behind many friends, family, and admirers from both his musical and business worlds.

Barry Glenn also continued performing in various bands after Nemesis, eventually becoming part of the group Rick Glenn and the Texas Aliens, where he earned a reputation for his passionate guitar work and generous spirit. He was affectionately remembered by his musical family as a man whose heart was as big as his stories.

Terry Cormack remains an active part of the Okanagan music community to this day. He performs regularly with Forever Young, a Neil Young tribute band based out of Summerland, and also with the acoustic duo The Melomaniacs, playing winery and festival gigs throughout British Columbia.

Gary Giesbrecht continued his drumming career on the Calgary cabaret circuit, freelancing with multiple groups and opening for national acts such as Prism and Emerson Drive. He later became a founding member of Wildcard, the group that also featured his former Nemesis bandmate McPhedran.

Though Nemesis only officially recorded a single 45, its members carried the spirit of their early work into many musical chapters that followed, leaving a small but enduring mark on Western Canadian independent rock history.
-Robert Williston

Gord Mcphendran: vocals, guitar
Barry Glenn: guitar
Terry Cormack: bass
Gary Giesbrecht: drums

Written by Gord Mcphendran (Dreams are for Dreamers); and Gord Mcphendran and Barry Glenn (Quasar Connection)
Engineered by Jim Thievin