Information/Write-up
Uproar was a short-lived yet high-energy power trio formed in 1970 in Vancouver, B.C., rising from the remnants of 1960s underground icons the United Empire Loyalists. The group featured Tom Lavin (vocals, guitar; later of Orville Dorp, Prism, and the Juno-winning Powder Blues Band), Glen Hendrickson (drums; formerly of Mock Duck and UEL), and Jeff Ridley (rhythm guitar, vocals; also of UEL).
The band recorded just one single, but it was a scorcher. Released on GRT Records in spring 1971, “Different Drummer” b/w “Look Who We Are” captured their gritty psych-garage style and earned them a surprising level of local success. The A-side climbed to #19 on CKVN and #26 on CKLG, leading to several high-profile support slots—including dates opening for Procol Harum, The Moody Blues, Captain Beefheart, and a coveted run with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.
“At the end of our set in Ottawa, the crowd lit their lighters and wanted an encore,” Ridley recalled. “Zappa said to us something like, ‘Looks like they like you,’ and seemed a bit miffed.”
Their music, honed through all-night rehearsals at Robin Spurgin’s studio, drew comparisons to The Who, especially Live at Leeds, which was dominating airwaves at the time.
The Single:
“Different Drummer” (written by Tom Lavin & Glen Hendrickson)
A mid-tempo psych-garage rocker with a pounding rhythm, distorted guitar leads, and dynamic vocals from Jeff Ridley. Lavin’s searing guitar solo cuts through over a thumping bassline and tight drumming from Hendrickson. Classic early-’70s fuzz and flair.
“Look Who We Are” (written by Tom Lavin & Jeff Ridley)
A faster-paced burner, featuring driving single-note riffs from Lavin, smooth harmonies, and thunderous drumming. The track crackles with urgency and shows a band pushing into heavier, tighter territory.
Despite momentum, the band folded shortly after their Zappa tour. Tom Lavin abruptly replaced Ridley with Ron Coleman, and the group dissolved soon after. But Uproar left behind a cult-favorite single, a few bootleg tapes, and a reputation as one of Vancouver’s great “what ifs.”
“We would rehearse starting at 10 or 11 at night and go until six or seven the next morning,” Ridley said. “We wrote quite a few good songs... but the tape has since disappeared.”
Lavin went on to national recognition with Prism and Powder Blues Band.
-Robert Williston
Jeff Ridley: lead vocals (track 1), rhythm guitar
Tom Lavin: lead vocals (track 2), guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
Glen Hendrickson: drums
Produced by Tom Lavin for Herschorn Productions
Engineered by Robin Spurgin
Recorded at Robin Spurgin’s Studio, Vancouver, British Columbia
Executive producer: M. Flicker
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