The Razorbacks were a Canadian rockabilly band that attained moderate national popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band was known for its lively stage show,"Rockabilly Roundup with Razorbacks". The Cord, March 17, 1988, by E Beyer and made regular appearances on The Tommy Hunter Show on CBC.
History The Razorbacks were formed in 1986; members were singer/guitarist Tony Kenny, bassist Jail House Joe, drummer Don Dekouchay, and Donny Cartwright."Non-performing trio bursts into record market". Winnipeg Free Press, via Newspaper Archives July 08, 1988 - Page 25 The band began busking and performing in Toronto."Razorbacks charge into the music scene". Brandon Sun, via Newspaper Archives July 28, 1988 - Page 24
By 1988, The Razorbacks were performing around southern Ontario, and that year they independently released their first album Go to Town.Craig MacInnis, "Tireless Razorbacks popping up everywhere". Toronto Star, January 22, 1988. Shortly thereafter the band was signed to Warner Records, which re-released the album."Razorbacks cut figure in rock". Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont. Greg Quill May 26, 1988 Page: E.4 Singles from the album included "It's Saturday Night," which appeared on the RPM Country Singles chart,"Country Singles". RPM, August 13, 1988 and "So Much Fun"."Hootnanny Howls in the Hills". Medicine Hat News, via Newspaper Archives. August 02, 1991 - Page 29 The band won the CASBY Award for "Most Promising Group", defeating The Tragically Hip.
The Razorbacks appeared on the Super Dave television show called Swim Stadium, season 2, episode 9. In December 1989, the band was featured in their own CBC Television Christmas special, It's a Razorbacks Christmas Barbeque. The special, which saw the band performing original Christmas-themed music, also featured special guest Mary Margaret O'Hara,Greg Burliuk, "Television, of all things, shows us the proper Christmas spirit". Kingston Whig-Standard, December 15, 1989. who received a Gemini Award nomination for Best Performance in a Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series at the 5th Gemini Awards in 1990.Stephen Nicholls, "Avonlea, E.N.G. lead Gemini nominations". Waterloo Region Record, October 24, 1990.
The album Go to Town was re-released in 1997 with four extra tracks." Razorbacks Go to Town". AllMusic, Review by Sean Carruthers
In 2023, A.V.R.A. Records began digitally reissuing the Razorbacks catalog including unreleased material.
Discography Albums Year Album CAN 1988 Go To Town 78 1989 Live A Little 84 1989 It's A Razorbacks Christmas Barbeque 1996 Flying Jenny 2024 Early Rarities & Unreleased Gems
Singles Year Single Chart Positions Album CAN Country CAN 1988 "It's Saturday Night" 30 68 Go to Town 1989 "Times Like These" 42 95 Live a Little
References
Further reading
External links "The Razorbacks reissues". A.V.R.A. Record Label