Other Members:

   Band formed in 1967 by Garagan (Friends Of The Family), former "Lost Children " members, Brennan and Richmond, Argent (Outcasts) and Oulton and played first gig at the Shore Club in Hubbards, N.S. Oulton left and band continued as a Quartet. Keyboardist Quinn was brought in to replace Argent. After Doug Billard (Central Nervous System, Five Sounds) joined, the band was spotted by a talent scout in the summer of 1969 and suggested they make a demo tape. This led to them being signed by Capitol Records.

   First two singles were recorded in Toronto with Jack Richardson producing. Capitol wanted only original material and band supplied Everywhere/Mr. Pride which both charted. Second single was not as strong as first. Band was encouraged to move nearer record label and moved to Toronto. Billard, Brennan and Richmond all left for various reasons. Band met up with White (Central Nervous System, Five Sounds) in Toronto and Cornerbrook, Newfoundland native Brockway was found after placing newspaper ad. Garagan assumed lead vocal chores.

   This line-up moved to a farmhouse in Alliston, Ontario in October of 1970 to prepare for recording of their "You're My People" album. Album was recorded at RCA's Toronto Studio and produced by Jack Richardson. Six songs were Quinn/Garagan compositions, three were Quinn/Garagan/White/Brockway compositions and one Quinn song. All songs were commercially viable with the exception of live favorite "Airplane" which clocked at over five minutes and included organ solo in it's middle section. Keith Jollimore did the horn and string arrangements.

   Album made White a local guitar hero in Halifax as all the budding guitarists in the area had to learn the guitar licks on the album particularly the opening bars of "Airplane".

   Record company felt band should have a frontman and Matt Minglewood (Moon - Minglewood and The Universal Power) was brought in for six months. When White left, band contacted Halifax guitarist Zemel who packed up and joined the band in Ontario. Minglewood left to form "Cold Duck" and was replaced by Terry Hatty who stayed for 3 months in 1971. After the departure of Minglewood and Hatty, Garagan once again assumed lead vocals. Zemel was the guitarist on the Quinn penned "Love Is A Railroad" single. Zemel was replaced by another Halifax guitarist, Edgett who played on this line-up's last two singles. These songs were written by individual members including Garagan's "Midnight Lady", Quinn's "Teach Me How To Fly" and "Put A Smile Upon Your Face" and Brockway's "Funky Music". Garagan left the band in 1972 and Quinn left the following year.

   The final lineup of the band were all Newfoundlanders when Brockway brought in MacLeod (Played guitar in "Garrison Hill"), Parker (Garrison Hill) and Butler.

   In 1974, a band called Peppertree (not Pepper Tree) released a single on Aquarius Records (Montreal). The tracks were Take Back My Love and Knowing How You Feel and both were written by P. Pruneau. The single was produced by Jack August of Moonquake fame. There does not seem to be any connection between this Peppertree and Pepper Tree.

   Brockway went on to play with Rhinegold, Telemann (which later became Wrabit), Hanover (AKA Hanover Fist), Lee Aaron and is currently in Big Smile. Garagan and Quinn both joined Molly Oliver for a couple of years after Pepper Tree. Garagan still plays occasional gigs. Quinn wrote songs for Roger Whitaker among others and formed Quincepts Productions Ltd. Brennan passed away in the late 70's. Richmond went on to play with the Truro based band "Horse" and then became a minister. Billard had a hit single with the song "I've Lost My Place" on United Artists in 1975. Zemel is still playing and involved in CD production and graphic design with SVP Productions. Edgett also still plays in the Halifax area. Brian "Too Loud" MacLeod went on to play with Chilliwack and The Headpins before succumbing to cancer in the mid 80's.

   Written from info provided by: Tim Garagan, Bob Quinn, Joel Zemel, Chris Brockway and Jim Rice

   Discography:

   Singles:

     1970 Everywhere/Mr.Pride(Capitol)

     1970 Shine Light Shine/Hometown Girl(Capitol)

     1971 Try/How Many Times(Capitol)

     1971 You're My People/From A Candle(Capitol)

     1972 Love Is A Railroad/Workin'(Capitol)

     1973 Midnight Lady/Teach Me How To Fly (Capitol)

     1973 Put A Smile Upon Your Face/Funky Music (Capitol)

   Albums:

     1971 You're My People(Capitol)

   Compilations:

     ???? Concept (Promo LP)"Workin'"

     1972 Maple Music Vol. 2 "Love Is A Railroad"

     1973 Summer Canadian Singles Festival "Put A Smile Upon Your Face" (Capitol promo LP)

   Anecdotes:

     "Jimmy White was my guitar hero (even as I played with him & his brother Ralph in Axis)" - Chris Cottie (Nova Scotia ex-bar band hack (Icarus, Number 9, Axis, Crunch) and Florida recording hack (David Allen Coe, The Eat, Drug Czars))

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