Information/Write-up
Les Misérables: The Quebec Garage Rock Pioneers
Les Misérables were one of the defining garage rock bands of the 1960s in Québec, carving out a distinct identity in a thriving, fashion-forward Yé-Yé scene. Originally forming as Les Coronets in 1962, they started as a high school band in Montréal, playing instrumental covers inspired by The Ventures. The original lineup consisted of Gerry Bribosia (lead guitar, vocals), Michel Cavouto (rhythm guitar), Gregoire Buisson (bass), Aldo Marandola (drums), and Jean-Marc Vanasse (saxophone). Like many bands of the era, they adopted an eye-catching gimmick, dyeing their hair blue in response to Les Classels' white-haired aesthetic.
The band gained early exposure playing teen dances and school events before transitioning to the Montréal club circuit. Their performance at Club Yé Yé caught the attention of Yvan Dufresne, owner of Jupiter Records, who signed them to a recording contract. However, they soon discovered that another group had already claimed the Coronets name, prompting them to rebrand as Les Misérables, a nod to Victor Hugo's classic novel.
Their first single, a cover of Jesse Hill’s "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" backed with "Pourquoi?" (Jupiter JP-1029), failed to make a commercial impact. However, their shift towards a Rolling Stones-inspired "bad boy" image helped propel their next release, a French cover of "Tell Me" retitled "Elle Me Dit" (Jupiter JP-1036). Touring with notable acts like Les Bel Airs and Jenny Rock, they began solidifying a following.
Unlike many of their contemporaries who primarily performed French translations of English-language hits, Les Misérables insisted on recording original material. "Despite the 60s practice to manage the big hits of the time, Les Misérables followed their creativeness by betting almost everything on their self-penned compositions." Their persistence paid off in 1966 when "Chemise à Pois, Cravates à Fleurs" ("Polka Dot Shirts and Flowered Ties") became a breakthrough hit. This success convinced Jupiter Records to finance a full-length LP, Miserablement Votre (Jupiter JDY-7011), which remains a sought-after artifact of 1960s Canadian garage rock.
The band’s prominence reached its peak in 1967 when they performed at the Garden of the Stars during Expo '67, their only major opportunity to play before an international audience. However, their label pressured them into adopting a more polished, Beatles-style look, which alienated the group. As Gerry Bribosia later recounted, "It was the beginning of the end." Feeling they had compromised their artistic integrity, the band disbanded shortly afterward, but not before recording what many consider their garage-punk masterpiece, "Misérablement Votre."
Though their career was brief, Les Misérables left a lasting impact. "Les Misérables is undoubtedly the best Quebecoise band along with Les Lutins, though songs such as 'Vivre Avec Toi' or 'Misérablement Votre' are insuperable even in comparison with the more regarded US outfits." In 1999, No Tyme Records reissued their material on vinyl, including "Il S'appelle Antoine", which had never been released on vinyl before. In 2001, Disques Mérite released a comprehensive CD reissue, compiling their singles and LP tracks into a definitive retrospective of their work. In 2011, Hungry For Vinyl (HFV-005) also reissued their catalog, further cementing their legacy for a new generation of garage rock enthusiasts. Their influence as one of Québec’s pioneering original rock bands continues to grow, securing their place in the annals of Canadian, Québécois, and Montréal Francophone garage rock history.
-Robert Williston
Gerry Bribosia: lead guitar, vocals
Michel Cavouto: rhythm guitar
Gregoire Buisson: bass
Aldo Marandola: drums
Jean-Marc Vanasse: saxophone
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