The Headpins, a Canadian “Rock N Roll” group, founded by Chilliwack members Brian MacLeod and Ab Bryant (formerly of Prism) as a side project in 1979. This took place while Chilliwack was in hiatus, waiting for the dust to settle with their present contract and the sudden passing of Shelly Sigel of Mushroom records. MacLeod first hired on vocals Denise McCann and the original was drummer Matt Frenette. Matt, having left Streetheart to join former band mate Paul Dean in LOVERBOY, was looking to keep his chops up while waiting for the release of Loverboy’s debut album. While Bernie Aubin, long time drummer for the Headpins had been the original drummer for Loverboy, but would soon tack his place with the "PINS". The Headpins worked through the Feldman Agency “A” circuit for the better part of the next 6 months, quickly building a fan base, as not only one of the hottest new groups, but defiantly the loudest on any bill.
McCann soon left and MacLeod scouted screamer Darby Mills from a local club act called Steelback. Within that year, Headpins had inked a deal with Solid Gold Records, making them now label mates with Brian and Ab’s number one band, Chilliwack. Soon after, Chilliwack finally had their paperwork in order and found themselves back in the studio. Headpins now left without a guitar player and bass player went into auditions for a B team to fill their roll. With the release of the TURN IT LOUD, CD, reaching Gold status in Canada faster than any other debut album of the day, the band had to get primed and ready to hit the road. The “Lock up your Sons” tour, did exactly that and with a vengeance! Toronto as the head liner and the B Team of ( Mills on Vocals, Bernie Aubin on Drums, Scott Reid on guitar, Jim Buckson then Dave Riemer on Bass) we rocked the stage and stole the show on more than one occasion, according to the press. By the end of that summer, the Headpins had left such a mark, Brian and Ab made the decision to leave Chilliwack, and rejoin the Headpins full time.
And the band played for the next 5 years thorough out Canada the States and Europe. ( I hope to be bringing many stories from those times in the months ahead)
Until a changing of the guard in late1985. Last date on the ZZTop tour thorough Canada with the pending USA date to follow when Mills suddenly found herself without a band. She did however, retain the recording contract with MCA records LA. With in the year to come Mills ended up in London England where she worked with the likes of Greg Walsh, of Tina Turner, “Private Dancer“ fame on her first solo CD. This took place at Ridge Farm Studio and Eel Pie, the infamous Pete Townshend of the Who"s recording studios.
However, 6 months, thousands of dollars in to her new contract and fresh after the payola scandals of the 80’s, there was termination of many of her MCA supporters. The now new team in the LA office of MCA and they had decided to put their efforts into a young unknown that year. Mills was released from contractual obligations to MCA Records........the young unknown "TIFFANY" broke ground that summer on the mall circuit across America.
A quick reboot for the HEADPINS in 1988/89 came to an abrupt end. Although there was US interest, the internal struggles for the band had not resolved during the breakup and a compromise could not be reached.
Brian Macleod, while always working, stayed true to fashion. On his boat was a state of the art studio, where he went on to write songs and produce projects for numerous artists. Mills, after 5 years of trying finally got her solo deal, and in 1991 released her CD "Never Look Back". Coincidentally, that same month McLeod's , release his last effort.
Brian "Too Loud" Macleod passed away in April of 1992. He was a massive talent that will be remembered by MANY.
In 1993, Bernie and Darby found themselves together on stage, and once more, the HEADPINS were live again! Within two years, Ab Bryant was back with the band and their songs continue to be heard to this day.
The year to come will see the Headpins hit the 35 year mark; and they still “BRING IT” every night, says Mills. Headpins continue to perform concerts today with that classic 80's line-up, Darby, Ab and Bernie and now on guitar Tony Dellacrocie takes the lead from Too Loud Macleod. Ontario Canada born, Tony has lived in Vancouver for the past 25 years. During a 6 years run as the head sound technician at the Yale Hotel, the Legendary Home of the Blues in down town Vancouver, Tony landed the job of guitarist for Canada's own "Moma let'm Play" Jerry Doucette. Soon after the Headpins saw him play, Tony was pulling double duty! You'll find Tony these days producing and recording independent artist at his own studio as "the Mad Producer." Part of the Headpins now for 14 years, a true and genuine performer. While showing due respect to Brian Macleod, He sure brings that chunk chunk chunk back to life! On Keys and Rhythm guitar is Alfie Galpin, who has been part of the team for over 20 years in one way or another. Alfie also played in Darby's solo project "Plain Jane" He made the rounds with "A" band circuit during the 80's with bands like Guy Jones, one of the first Alice Cooper tribute bands in Canada. This after attending the Guitar Institute (GIT) in LA California post Graduation. In his spare time works the Okanagan club circuit with his buddy Tad Gaddard the bass guitar player for Prism, "Space Ship Supper Star" Guys. If you need a band, leave a message.=]
Headpins achieved their height of popularity in 1982 and 1983, with TURN IT LOUD and songs such as "Don't It Make Ya Feel", "Turn it Loud", "People", and "Breakin Down”. They toured though out Canada, United States and Europe with the likes of... Pat Travers, Richie Blackmore, Brian Adams, Loverboy, Helix, Harlequin, Toronto, Honeymoon Suite, Kiss, ZZ Top, the Romantics, Eddie Money, Pat Benetar, Vince Neil, Poison, Randy Backman, the Tubs, Nazareth, Def leopard, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The second recording, LINE OF FIRE gave us "Just One More Time", "Feel my body", "Celebration" and the final effort HEAD OVER HEELS produced singles like “Stayin all night", "Still the one", and "Be with you”, at which time they headed to Europe to tour with Whitesnakes , John Lord, Cozy Powell, John Sykes, Sir Neill Murray and yes, David Coverdale. “A highlight still to this day “ says Mills. Joe Cocker, the Pretenders, Yes.
Canadian Classic Rock, to the core! "IMHO"
McCann soon left and MacLeod scouted screamer Darby Mills from a local club act called Steelback. Within that year, Headpins had inked a deal with Solid Gold Records, making them now label mates with Brian and Ab’s number one band, Chilliwack. Soon after, Chilliwack finally had their paperwork in order and found themselves back in the studio. Headpins now left without a guitar player and bass player went into auditions for a B team to fill their roll. With the release of the TURN IT LOUD, CD, reaching Gold status in Canada faster than any other debut album of the day, the band had to get primed and ready to hit the road. The “Lock up your Sons” tour, did exactly that and with a vengeance! Toronto as the head liner and the B Team of ( Mills on Vocals, Bernie Aubin on Drums, Scott Reid on guitar, Jim Buckson then Dave Riemer on Bass) we rocked the stage and stole the show on more than one occasion, according to the press. By the end of that summer, the Headpins had left such a mark, Brian and Ab made the decision to leave Chilliwack, and rejoin the Headpins full time.
And the band played for the next 5 years thorough out Canada the States and Europe. ( I hope to be bringing many stories from those times in the months ahead)
Until a changing of the guard in late1985. Last date on the ZZTop tour thorough Canada with the pending USA date to follow when Mills suddenly found herself without a band. She did however, retain the recording contract with MCA records LA. With in the year to come Mills ended up in London England where she worked with the likes of Greg Walsh, of Tina Turner, “Private Dancer“ fame on her first solo CD. This took place at Ridge Farm Studio and Eel Pie, the infamous Pete Townshend of the Who"s recording studios.
However, 6 months, thousands of dollars in to her new contract and fresh after the payola scandals of the 80’s, there was termination of many of her MCA supporters. The now new team in the LA office of MCA and they had decided to put their efforts into a young unknown that year. Mills was released from contractual obligations to MCA Records........the young unknown "TIFFANY" broke ground that summer on the mall circuit across America.
A quick reboot for the HEADPINS in 1988/89 came to an abrupt end. Although there was US interest, the internal struggles for the band had not resolved during the breakup and a compromise could not be reached.
Brian Macleod, while always working, stayed true to fashion. On his boat was a state of the art studio, where he went on to write songs and produce projects for numerous artists. Mills, after 5 years of trying finally got her solo deal, and in 1991 released her CD "Never Look Back". Coincidentally, that same month McLeod's , release his last effort.
Brian "Too Loud" Macleod passed away in April of 1992. He was a massive talent that will be remembered by MANY.
In 1993, Bernie and Darby found themselves together on stage, and once more, the HEADPINS were live again! Within two years, Ab Bryant was back with the band and their songs continue to be heard to this day.
The year to come will see the Headpins hit the 35 year mark; and they still “BRING IT” every night, says Mills. Headpins continue to perform concerts today with that classic 80's line-up, Darby, Ab and Bernie and now on guitar Tony Dellacrocie takes the lead from Too Loud Macleod. Ontario Canada born, Tony has lived in Vancouver for the past 25 years. During a 6 years run as the head sound technician at the Yale Hotel, the Legendary Home of the Blues in down town Vancouver, Tony landed the job of guitarist for Canada's own "Moma let'm Play" Jerry Doucette. Soon after the Headpins saw him play, Tony was pulling double duty! You'll find Tony these days producing and recording independent artist at his own studio as "the Mad Producer." Part of the Headpins now for 14 years, a true and genuine performer. While showing due respect to Brian Macleod, He sure brings that chunk chunk chunk back to life! On Keys and Rhythm guitar is Alfie Galpin, who has been part of the team for over 20 years in one way or another. Alfie also played in Darby's solo project "Plain Jane" He made the rounds with "A" band circuit during the 80's with bands like Guy Jones, one of the first Alice Cooper tribute bands in Canada. This after attending the Guitar Institute (GIT) in LA California post Graduation. In his spare time works the Okanagan club circuit with his buddy Tad Gaddard the bass guitar player for Prism, "Space Ship Supper Star" Guys. If you need a band, leave a message.=]
Headpins achieved their height of popularity in 1982 and 1983, with TURN IT LOUD and songs such as "Don't It Make Ya Feel", "Turn it Loud", "People", and "Breakin Down”. They toured though out Canada, United States and Europe with the likes of... Pat Travers, Richie Blackmore, Brian Adams, Loverboy, Helix, Harlequin, Toronto, Honeymoon Suite, Kiss, ZZ Top, the Romantics, Eddie Money, Pat Benetar, Vince Neil, Poison, Randy Backman, the Tubs, Nazareth, Def leopard, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The second recording, LINE OF FIRE gave us "Just One More Time", "Feel my body", "Celebration" and the final effort HEAD OVER HEELS produced singles like “Stayin all night", "Still the one", and "Be with you”, at which time they headed to Europe to tour with Whitesnakes , John Lord, Cozy Powell, John Sykes, Sir Neill Murray and yes, David Coverdale. “A highlight still to this day “ says Mills. Joe Cocker, the Pretenders, Yes.
Canadian Classic Rock, to the core! "IMHO"
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