Numerous drummers came and went until June of 1986, when Don Schmid joined to make it a permanent quartet. With the help of friend and local booking agent Robert Hodgins, the band cut its teeth on the prairie bar circuit. The combination of exciting live performances, well-received indie albums, and the continuous stream of demos caught the ear of Doug Chappell, President of Virgin Records, Canada, and with the help of managers Fraser Hill and Ed Smeall, The Pikes signed to the label on December 19, 1986.
In January 1987, the band began sessions at Metal Works Studio in Toronto with producers Rick Hutt and Fraser Hill, and they finished mixing at McClear Place Studios for what would become its first Virgin album, titled 'Big Blue Sky'. It was released in June of '87 and featured the singles "Teenland" and "Things I Do For Money", introducing the band to a wider audience and expanding the touring range to all parts of Canada and the USA.
Spring of 1988 saw The Pikes at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, NY. and later in Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec for the recording and mixing of 'Secrets of the Alibi'. The sophomore album had a more "live off the floor" feel, and the heavy airplay of single "Wait For Me" and "Hopes Go Astray" kept the band on the road virtually non-stop across the continent until the summer of '89.
Up to this point, the primary singers and songwriters were Jay and Merl, with the exception of some group compositions and "Hopes" written by Bryan. The Pikes third album Snow In June saw the blossoming of Bryan as a singer and writer, most notably for the hit single "She Ain't Pretty". In addition the album featured other hits, "Girl With A Problem" and "Kiss Me You Fool", and featured a star-studded cast of additional musicians - Garth Hudson, Crystal Taliefero, John Sebastian and Stan Szelest, as well as mixes by acclaimed engineers Bob Clearmountain and Hugh Padgham. Recording again in Bearsville and mixing at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, the Pikes spent almost six months working on the album, considered by many to be their finest.
After almost two years of touring to support Snow In June, the band began work on Neptune in July of '92 at A&M Studios in LA with Rob Jaczko as co-producer. Subsequent sessions continued at Metal Works in Toronto and Blue Jay Studio in Boston. From start to finish the album took exactly two months to record, mix and master¤ the fastest turnaround since their indie days- Released in November, Neptune featured the keyboard work of Ross Nykiforuk, also a native of Saskatoon and an on-stage addition for the Snow In June tour. Also featured were two duets with Margo Timmins of "Cowboy Junkies", one of which¤ "Worlds Away"¤ made its way onto an episode of the TV series "Due South". The album featured the singles "Twister", "Believe" and "Everything", and in December saw the band fly from one end of Canada to the other on a whirlwind tour promoting the record.
The spring of '93 saw the last tour for The Pikes, and the fifth and final album gig, recorded live during concerts in Montreal and Toronto. It featured 13 songs and showcased the raw energy the band always exhibited onstage.
The Northern Pikes played their final concert of this first era on July 2, 1993 in Fort Frances, Ontario. Their unofficial final recording session took place July 9, '93 in Don's "Fresh Vibe North" studio where Jay, Bryan, Don and Ross laid down the original tracks for the theme song to "Due South" written by Jay and Bryan. Shortly afterwards, the band disbanded.
However, in 1999, the band reformed to build a Greatest Hits package, called "Hits and Assorted Secrets 1984-1993." On the subsequent tour to promote this album, the band decided to release a live work in 2000 ("Live"). This was followed by a studio album in 2001 ("Truest Inspiration"), and another in 2003 ("It's a Good Life"). A collaborative album with fellow Canadian artist Les Stroud followed-up in 2008. They've continued to tour over the past few years.
Somedays
The Northern Pikes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if myself then others too
It's not something I'm proud of
It's something that I've gone through
I knew what I was doing I could feel myself moving
It's like I was watching someone else
Oh this could never happen to me
I thought to myself so ignorantly
Somedays I feel so dragged out man
Somedays I just want to hang out man
Somedays I feel like singing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Somedays I just want to hang out
Hang out with you man
I'm hurting bleeding this pain obscures my seeing
The future's looking like a dead end
Somedays I get sick in the middle of my lip
And I wonder what I'm doing here
Is there any sense in going on like this
I could O.D. or put a bullet through my head
But when I look back I always see that coal of life
That's burning in the back of my mind
Somedays I feel so dragged out man
Somedays I just want to hang out man
Somedays I feel like singing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Somedays I just want to hang out
Hang out with you man
Over that hill there's a voice that calls to me
Come here, come here
I walk to its source and it becomes clear
I'm ridden of all my fears
The walls are bare except for a cross
Looks like we're headed for a train wreck
Someone had to put their foot down
We've had enough of all this fooling around
My nerves and muscles they twitch and shake
I pull my knees to my chest
My heart is pounding and my spirit is drowning
I feel myself slipping over the edge
Somedays I feel so dragged out man
Somedays I just want to hang out man
Somedays I feel like singing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Somedays I just want to hang out
Hang out with you man
CHORUS
The Northern Pikes's song "Somedays" is a song about self-deception and the struggles of everyday life. The lyrics describe the feeling of being stuck in a rut, feeling dragged out and just wanting to hang out. The singer is hurting and bleeding with pain, and their future is looking bleak. They wonder what they are doing here and question whether there is any sense in going on like this. Despite these challenges, the singer acknowledges that there is a "coal of life" burning in the back of their mind that keeps them going.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of addiction and suicidal thoughts. The singer considers the possibility of overdosing or putting a bullet through their head but ultimately decides to keep going. They find solace in the voice that calls to them over the hill, leading them to a place where they can be free of their fears. The song ends with a sense of hope, as the singer acknowledges that they just want to hang out with someone who understands them and can be a source of comfort and support.
Overall, "Somedays" is a poignant and introspective song that speaks to the struggles of everyday life and the hope that keeps us going even in the darkest times.
Line by Line Meaning
How have I deceived myself
Questioning one's actions and decisions and possible deception towards oneself
And if myself then others too
Realizing how one's actions and thoughts may have affected others
It's not something I'm proud of
Acknowledging the negative aspects of oneself
It's something that I've gone through
Accepting and owning up to one's past experiences
I knew what I was doing I could feel myself moving
Being aware of one's actions and decisions
It's like I was watching someone else
Feeling disconnected from one's actions and decisions
Oh this could never happen to me
Realizing one's own ignorance and past mistakes
I thought to myself so ignorantly
Acknowledging one's past ignorance and lack of understanding
Somedays I feel so dragged out man
Feeling physically and emotionally exhausted on certain days
Somedays I just want to hang out man
Feeling the need to take a break and relax on some days
Somedays I feel like singing
Finding joy and release in music on some days
Somedays I just want to hang out
Craving the company and comfort of a friend on some days
Hang out with you man
Expressing the desire to spend time with a friend
I'm hurting bleeding this pain obscures my seeing
Feeling emotional pain that clouds one's judgment and perspective
The future's looking like a dead end
Feeling uncertain and hopeless about the future
Somedays I get sick in the middle of my lip
Experiencing physical symptoms of stress and anxiety
And I wonder what I'm doing here
Questioning one's purpose and existence
Is there any sense in going on like this
Questioning the value and purpose of continuing in a certain way of life
I could O.D. or put a bullet through my head
Contemplating extreme and harmful actions
But when I look back I always see that coal of life
Recognizing a glimmer of hope and purpose in one's past experiences
That's burning in the back of my mind
Holding onto a spark of motivation and inspiration
Over that hill there's a voice that calls to me
Feeling pulled towards a new direction in life
Come here, come here
Hearing a beckoning call to a new path
I walk to its source and it becomes clear
Finding clarity in pursuing a new path
I'm ridden of all my fears
Feeling liberated from past fears and doubts
The walls are bare except for a cross
Experiencing a spiritual awakening and transformation
Looks like we're headed for a train wreck
Feeling like one's life is headed towards destruction and chaos
Someone had to put their foot down
Realizing the need for change and taking action
We've had enough of all this fooling around
Rejecting a previously frivolous and aimless way of life
My nerves and muscles they twitch and shake
Experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety and stress
I pull my knees to my chest
Seeking comfort and grounding in a fetal position
My heart is pounding and my spirit is drowning
Feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by one's emotions
I feel myself slipping over the edge
Feeling like one's emotional state is spiraling out of control
Contributed by Caroline C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.