Modern Minds

Websites:  https://citizenfreak.com/playlists/395-captured-by-roszay-the-edmonton-1980s-scene, https://citizenfreak.com/artists/101556-pursuit-of-happiness, https://citizenfreak.com/artists/94852-facecrime, http://themodernminds.ca/
Origin: St. Albert, Alberta, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Modern Minds were a pioneering power-pop and new wave band from the Edmonton suburb of St. Albert, Alberta. The trio—Moe Berg (vocals, guitar), Bob Drysdale (bass), and Kim Upright (drums)—formed officially in January 1979, though their musical roots extended much earlier. As childhood friends in St. Albert, Upright and Drysdale began jamming in elementary school and eventually teamed up with classmate Graham Brown to form their first group, Stones, in junior high. By high school, the band evolved into Hot Toddy, and later, Modern Minds.

In 1977, while still students at Paul Kane High School, Upright and Drysdale met Moe Berg, then in Grade 10, and began jamming together—first bonding over Neil Young and Deep Purple covers. That connection quickly solidified into a songwriting unit focused on original material, and Modern Minds was born. Early performances as The News included a debut at Borden Park and regular gigs at the Corona Hotel, eventually transitioning into Modern Minds in early 1980.

They quickly became one of Edmonton’s most recognizable underground acts during a time when the city’s live music scene was dominated by cover bands and risk-averse promoters. Modern Minds were committed to originality, practicing relentlessly and building their identity both conceptually and musically. In their early press bio, they declared that rock and roll was not a nostalgic product or background noise, but “teenage glory”—a vital expression of frustration, joy, and identity. “To someone who truly believes, there is no divisible line between one’s music and one’s very life.”

A July 1980 Edmonton Sun review described a 16-song, 40-minute set as “pure mid-60s,” citing Moe Berg’s vocals as “thin” but enthusiastic and supported by Drysdale’s harmonies. While critiquing the band’s tendency to play at breakneck speeds, the review praised their drive and raw potential: “Some time and polish, and straight thinking, and Modern Minds will go a long way.”

Another article, Modern Minds Struggle to Succeed, highlighted their refusal to compromise in an industry driven by formulaic success. Berg and Upright openly criticized the pressure placed on young bands to conform, with Upright stating, “These people [agents] have a zero success rate.” The band saw themselves as part of a creative resistance to commercialized music, focused instead on “communicating something” meaningful.

Their only official release during their original run, the three-song 7" single Theresa’s World (1980, Bumstead Records), was first posted to citizenfreak on Sept 9, 2012 and has since become a cult favorite among collectors of Canadian punk and power pop. With its jagged guitar hooks and earnest vocals, the single showcased Berg’s emerging songwriting talent—melodic, witty, and emotionally charged.

Though the band was short-lived, they left a lasting impression. In 2007, Japanese label Base Records issued a full-length CD compiling the band’s studio recordings and rare live material. That same material was reissued on vinyl in 2018 by Ugly Pop Records, under the title Go (UP067). The reissues sparked renewed interest in the band’s output and captured the full scope of their vision—including live covers of Vancouver underground staples the Modernettes and the Pointed Sticks.

First uploaded in July 2013, a rare archival live set titled Modern Minds – Live at the Riv Rock Room – K97 was made available for streaming on the band’s website and CitizenFreak.com. The set captured the group’s dynamic live energy and featured both original material and spirited covers of Vancouver bands the Modernettes and the Pointed Sticks, offering a vivid snapshot of the band at their peak and underscoring their deep connection to the west coast punk and power-pop movement.

After Modern Minds disbanded, Kim Upright traveled to England for a year, attending concerts and exploring the country’s music scene. Upon his return to Edmonton in 1982, he helped form Jr. Gone Wild with longtime friends Graham Brown and Mike McDonald, transforming a basement rumpus room into a jam space dubbed “The Sheridan Club.” Jr. Gone Wild’s first show was opening for Moe Berg’s next band, Ramage & The Belts. Upright remained active in music through the decades, eventually returning to the stage in the 2010s with A Bunch of Marys, performing a mix of originals and roots rock covers.

Founding bassist Robert Bain Drysdale (January 10, 1960 – May 4, 2003) played a crucial role in shaping Modern Minds’ early sound and identity. His influence extended beyond the band, leaving a lasting mark on Edmonton’s underground music scene, including his later work with Rock 'n' Roll Bitches.

Fans fondly recall seeing Modern Minds perform regularly between 1979 and 1981, and their role in building Edmonton’s early punk identity is often cited alongside bands like The Malibu Kens and Jr. Gone Wild. Following the group’s dissolution, Moe Berg briefly joined Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra before relocating to Toronto and forming The Pursuit of Happiness, which would launch him to national and international recognition.

Today, Modern Minds are remembered as one of the earliest and most influential bands in Edmonton’s punk and new wave scene. Though their recorded output was limited, the band’s impact is still felt through reissues, archival releases, and the memories of those who saw them live. Their legacy stands not just in the music they left behind, but in the creative momentum they helped spark across Alberta’s underground community.
-Robert Williston

Moe Berg (Facecrime, Pursuit of Happiness): guitar, vocals
Bobby Drysdale (Rock 'n' Roll Bitches): bass
Kim Upright: drums