The Group of 77

It started out as a very 'Public Image Limited' band in the early 80's. I (Steven West) on guitar/synth, James Louis on vocals, and 'Max' on bass. It got pared down to James Louis and I till 1987. Jodi Krangle entered around this time, and the band name was to be 'Nous Voila'. We had only done 12-15 songs till 1988, and due to 'artistic differences' she left. After I had singularly released 'Distortion' as The Group of 77 in 1992, I quickly put together 'Used' in 1993 using some of Jodi's old 'Nous Voila' material as well as my own. By coincidence that year, Jodi contatcted me in hopes to obtain certain song masters for a friend making a movie. I pointed out she or her friend can purchase these songs at HMV et al. Surprised and intrigued by my new tactics and styles, Jodi returned in '93 and agreed to work under 'The Group of 77' umbrella, and we had quickly set to a grueling schedule of song writing. Between 1993 to 1996, Jodi and I had written over 100 songs roughly. However, we had only released '6 Billion Souls On The Island Of The Damned' as a 6 song EP. We had played many other songs of ours live in odd venues, but I never felt enough of a 'conceptual package' to commit to a CD. And when things started to take shape (to me), Jodi had different plans. Thus 'artistic differences' reared it's ugly head at us, and The Group of 77 was laid to rest in 1996.

Dun-01 - Trouble With America The Group of 77 1987 Dun-02 - The Group of 77 (45rpm single) 1988 Dun-07 - Distortion The Group of 77 (Steven West Solo) 1992 Dun-08 - Seed The Group of 77 (Steven West/James Louis) 1993 Dun-09 - Used The Group of 77 (Steven West/Jodi Krangle) 1993 Dun-10 - Discourage The Group of 77 (Steven West w/Jodi Krangle) 1995 Dun-11 - Six Billion Souls On The Island Of The Damned The Group of 77 (Steven West/Jodi Krangle) 1995 Dun-15 - Metalurge Steven West 2002 (Features 'The Victoria' by The Group of 77) Dun-17 - Nothing Is Here To Stay The Group of 77/Nous Voila Double CD Set(Steven West/Jodi Krangle)2003 Dun-18 - American Hotspots And Forgotten Highways The Group of 77 (Steven West/James Louis) 2003 Dun-19 - Dungeon Promo CD 2003 (Features 'Nowhere Is Home' By The Group of 77)

We did very 'unusual' gigs as best I can put it. Community radio stations with James Louis, to folky cafes and Star Trek gatherings with Jodi. I think the best show we ever did was at The Free Times Cafe in Toronto in 1995. We had originally been showing up doing 'acoustic versions' of our songs for 'open mic nights'. The MC liked us so much, he gave us a showcase show. I brought down all my electronic gear and guitars, and we did a really great show. I think there was LESS people than for the first The Police concert in Toronto. (25 people?) But I thought our performance was it's best that night.

I had injected so much into numerous songs. Early TGR77 was definately The Rolling Stones, Roxy Music, U2, The Clash as big influences for James Louis and I. When Jodi came on board, influences quickly changed to Jane Siberry, The Flying Lizards, Curve, to My Bloody Valentine.

Yamaha CS-10, DSR-2000, SY77EX (special waveboard fitted.) and great use from the SPX-90. All the Group of 77 music was recorded on a Yamaha MT44D cassette deck as well. Korg PolySix, KPR-77, Super Drums, Super Percussion, TG55 (? Old preset rythem unit) Casio PT-30, SK-1, RZ-1, VL-1 Arp Odyssey, Roland SH-3a Vantage, Yamaha, and Dan Electro guitars. Boss and Ibanez effect pedals. (60's Fuzz - Man, dat nasty!!!)

I think the music was 'ahead of it's time', and hopefully the time is ripe to enjoy it now? I had tried to take as much 'tape anomalies' out during the 'remastering'. But as we all know, cassettes are very fickle and fatal. It's been greatly improved, but is still 'demo quality' sadly. I hope it shows my versitility to anyone who's interested in my other works at this site as well. Enjoy!