Brian Canham – Pseudo Echo
by irmah
What were you doing in the 1980s (your job/where you were living, etc)?
Fronting Pseudo Echo and living in Melbourne’s inner city South Yarra.
Pseudo Echo in the 1980s. (L-R) Pierre Pierre, Brian Canham, Tony Lugton, Anthony Agiro.
What are your strongest impressions of the 1980s?
The fashion & music.
What historical event of the 1980s has most resonance for you? Why?
Death of John Lennon… was driving down the coast for a holiday with a group of friends (including my, now, wife), and heard the announcement on the radio… seemed surreal.
What was an event/party/pub session/nightclub of the 80s that stands out?
Inflation, The Jump Club (inner city Melbourne), and Benny’s (Kings Cross) Sydney.
Pseudo Echo 'Autumnal Park' promotion, 1984. (L-R) Brian Canham, Tony Lugton, Pierre Pierre, Anthony Agiro.
Any memories (fond or foul) of what you were wearing in the 1980s?
Pointy suede boots with lots of buckles, studded belt, frilly shirt, and headbands.. . sandblasted leather jacket… Chinese (kung fu) slippers.
What music/movies/TV engaged you in the 1980s (and did you takes sides on VHS versus Betamax), and now?
Music produced by Trevor Horn.. The movie ‘Blade Runner’… VHS for me… well Betamax was a better format… but the good guy doesn’t always win.
Brian Canham performing recently. Photo by Gerry Nicholls.
What were you listening to – and was it on a Walkman?
Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet, Durran Durran, Human League, Ultravox, Jean Michel Jarre, Japan. Etc… I think mainly in the car, or on my ‘Silver’ ghetto balster.
What did you do for entertainment/leisure then and now? (Did it include computer games or the Rubik’s Cube?)
There was an arcade game (in Bondi) called Astron Belt… (a Star Wars knock off)… loved that… and also in a venue in called The Jump Club – Collingwood (Melbourne) there was an arcade game called Moon Patrol, had the coolest electro 12 bar sound track… I also rode trail bikes too.
These days I still ride motorcycles, and I scuba dive any time I can too.
Brian Canham performing recently. Photo by Gerry Nicholls.
What do you think are the main differences between the 80s and how the world and/or your life is today?
Technology has changed (among other things) how our youth are entertained.
I don’t think kids are that excited over a ‘pop star’ these days… seems like it’s no big deal… they see ‘Joe Average’ become a star overnight on things like ‘Idol’.
What was a prized object you owned then (and do you still have it)?
My black suede boots (I still have), and also my father’s car (Datsun 280ZX) had a huge impression on me… I own a beautiful original 280ZX these days.
What event (personal or public) in the 1980s would you either revisit or undo if you could?
Definitely Lennon’s assassination would be something I would undo.
I’d also rewrite all of my lyrics to say something worth saying.
Recent photo of Brian Canham in his MetroMix Studio. Photo by Brian Canham.
Anything else you’d like to share with us about your 1980s?
I was a teenage rock star! I had hit records, was chased by screaming girls, toured the world, met the Prime Minister, Bob Hawke (and hung out with him in his office)…
I married my true love and had our first child. It was fun, if not a bit of a blur…
Check out Check out Pseudo Echo albums on iTunes.
I remember Pseudo Echo coming to Mackay in 1986-87, waiting patiently or rather stalking the band until they arrived at the showgrounds. I was only grade 9 but was pretty determind to at least see Brian close up. I managed to squeeze myself to the front row, throw a rose which landed on his guitar, scream, loose my place at the front and then somehow try to fight the other screaming teens to watch the rest of the show. God bless the eighties!
I was pretty much a Pseudo Echo gal and I still have my original lps and cassettes…but sadly no walkman to play them on!!!
The eighties may seem daggy to this generation but it was good times, good music and heaps of good memories!
Will have to get down and see the exhibition!
Does anyone know if a mario Palazzo played guitar with Pseudo echo
Hi Nadine, I’m glad to be a part of your precious memories of the 80′s.. i feel like I should give you a hug
Re Mario Plazzo, I can’t say i recall ever being in any band with him..or anyone by that name..sorry ..
all the best BC
Hi Brian, God I love you guys , I remember going to the Paladium in Melb and watching you guys. I just loved your music and to this day still do. I have soooooo many great memories listening to you guys. Thank you for the fantastic times Brian… I think that I will get to meet you in February around the 16th as we both know someone special…… think really hard I have some amazing pictures of you guys to show you and I will bring them with me…. mum’s the word talk soon. Deb
God…I’m dying to know lol… Feb 16th hey.. beats ,me ??
Where do I start to say THANK YOU for the memories. Pseudo Echo provided the soundtrack to my teenage years growing up in the 80′s. Listening to my “Love an Adventure” LP and reading Smash Hits magazine instead of doing homework.
I remember going to see you guys at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle in late 1986 (I was 13 at the time and my older cousin was forced to go along and chaperone my sister and I). I had drawn a picture of you for my art assignment and some one from the organisers of the gig took it backstage for you to sign!! Oh my god – getting the drawing returned to me with your autograph – my high light of 1986!! Instant popularity at school – people lining up at lunch time to see it (classic!!)
Recently I was driving up to Newcastle to meet up with some friends from high school who I hadn’t seen since 1990. Thank goodness for ITunes – for providing the soundtrack to my reunion weekend “Esssential Pseudo Echo”.
As daggy as the 80′s were – thank you for providing the soundtrack for the great times and gret memories. xxxxxxx
Kerry
I have always loved Pseudo Echo (still have all the vinyls that you released!), but have never got to see you guys live. Each time I go to Melbourne to visit friends, I miss you by a day or two each time. But I see that you will be up in Sydney in March this year – won’t miss it for the world, and will post about it on my website afterwards. Would love to get a photo of you and I for my 80s memories – the best decade! Keep up the great work.
Thatnks to all of you for sharing your Pseudo Echo memories.
Some great great stories here .
I am very glad to still be bringing a smile to your faces after all these years.
So many things change in our lives over the years, some happy, some sad….
So once again, that you all… for keeping Pseudo Echo alive today:)
BC
Hi Brian. Thank you for your music. You guys were a big part of my formative years. Qn, will you be playing anywhere soon, either alone or with absolutely 80s or similar line up?
P
Hi Brian well I must say i had a ball growing up in the 80′s. My friends and i followed u guys everywhere from Revesby Roundhouse to over to the North Shore (Sydney) and had lots of fun doing it. We were hairdresses at the time and loved recreating your do’s hahaha Well thanx for the memories and yes i still listen to Pseudo Echo.
Hey Brian – just wanted to add my thanks to the mix. I begged my Mum to let me see Pseudo Echo play in Auckland back in the 80′s at age 11. My first concert ever and it kicked off a love for live music that still hasn’t faded. As for rewriting the lyrics – nah – it wouldn’thave been the 80′s if they were deep and meaninggful. Thanks again!
Hi Brian – Just wanna say how was so totally into you guys in the 80′s my room was covered fom roof to floor of you guys…so glad to hear you are still performing and hope you dont forget the small towns like KARRATHA WA lol. My mother will laugh to hear how I now have my kids listening to you songs
Thanks again to all of you for sharing you wonderful stories and memories here. It really was a great ride for Pseudo Echo during the 80′s, and fortunately still today…we can enjoy playing to you on the odd occasion too
We are absolutely thrilled to have been included in the Powerhouse 80′s exibition..and hope some of you got to see it
thanks for keeping Pseudo Echo alive
BC
Is the exhibition a permanent thing at the Powerhouse? I won’t be able to get there until September or maybe October 2012? Is there any Pseudo stuff at the Hard Rock Cafe’s or have those closed down? I haven’t lived in Sydney for 12 years so I’m out of touch with what’s still there or what’s closed down.
Karen
Sorry, Karen, but ‘The 80s are back’ exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum ended on 27 March 2011 – which is also why the comments are not checked so frequently any more. I’m not sure what the Hard Rock Café may have – but you could check that out with them – http://www.hardrock.com/sydney/.
Oh i loved Pseudo Echo, especially you Brian…. listening to your music all these years later brings back so many happy memories for me. My best friend and i would dance like there was no tomorrow- we where great 80′s dancers. Ha Ha
I had my hair cut like you and just wanted to meet you all. Now in my 40′s i still want to meet you. Unfortunately you are not coming to Adelaide next tour. Shame. Maybe next time.
Thanks for the great music. Simply the best.
Hi Brian, my name is Mary and I too was a HUGE fan of Pseudo Echo…..Gosh, I remember going along to see you play at Epping one Friday Night. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would pop out. Then after that my friend and I came to see you guys twice in one weekend. Oh, they were the days !!!!