In Memory Of...

The Pursuit of Happiness

Does anyone aside from me remember this band? These guys were the essential 80s Canadian indie rock band... or what was "indie" back in the 80s. They released albums through the 80s and into the early 90s, growing from a trio to a quintet. They're from Toronto. I guess if you're not into Canadian music OR grew up in the decaded you'd have not clue who they are. In any case, I really have a fond place in my heart for them, which is why it's so hard for me to see that the frontman, Moe Berg, is now DJing at small, downtown bar here in Toronto. Anyway, if you get a chance you should check out their song "I'm An Adult Now" (hmm... doesn't that seem familiar?). It was staple on MuchMusic during my childhood. I think that video got played so much not because it's a catchy tune (which it is) but because it met the CANCON (Canadian Content) requirements. CANCON for those of you south of the border, is the government regulation that states all certain amount of all boardcasts have to meet a certain level of Canadian content, which is governed by the Candian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC. Just because a song is by a Canadian artist doesn't mean it's CANCON. The biggest example I can remember was Bryan Adams' smash hit, Everything I do (I do it for you). It was an international sucess, but it didn't met CANCON regulations. Imagine, if you will, a world before Canadian music was cool. Anne Murray was played a lot. One of these days I'll have to write a post about my experiences dealing with Anne Murray, but that's for another day...