Unquestionably one of Canada's seminal original rockers of the late 70's and 80's, Frank Soda made his name with an outrageous stage show, including exploding TV's, huge Moonman headwear, and flaming pigs. Not to mention his electric light suit and exquisite guitar attack.
Audio & Albums
Frank Soda's full discography:
| Album Title | Release Year |
|---|---|
| High Times, Greatest Hits 1979 - 1995 | 1995 |
| The Adventures of Sodaman | 1983 |
| Saturday Night Getaway | 1981 |
| Sodapop | 1980 |
| In The Tube | 1979 |
| Single Title | Release Year |
|---|---|
| Bad News | 2019 |
In The Tube
This album is not yet available on streaming services.
| Track | Song Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Break the Ice | 3:17 |
| 2 | Keep the Customer Satisfied | 3:55 |
| 3 | Going Down the Tube Blues | 8:05 |
| 4 | Turn the Kid Loose | 4:43 |
| 5 | Saturday Night Getaway | 5:07 |
| 6 | T.V. People | 4:00 |
| 7 | Moon Man | 3:40 |
Released in 1979Produced by Larry Wilson & Robert Connolly
Mixed by Mark WrightFrank Soda - Guitar, Vocals
John Lechasseur - Drums
Charles Towers - Bass, Vocals
David Beare - Engineer
Jeff Stobbs - Assistant
Wally - Assistant
"Frank Soda and the Imps were already a known quantity on the Toronto bar scene when they recorded their live debut, In the Tube. You can certainly hear why they were a popular attraction: Soda is a very accomplished guitar slinger, casually throwing off blistering licks as if they were an afterthought, and even if there is a lunkhead rock and roll sensibility in places, it's balanced out by a real off-kilter sensibility in others -- what else would you expect from someone who regularly blew up a television during his live show -- while it was on his head? When he's not playing blues (like he is in "Going Down the Tube Blues," a song he claims to have written for the audience at The Tube, the venue where this was recorded), Soda's style falls somewhere between Frank Zappa and Rush from about the same period. Indeed, the guitar tone and some of the riffs on this release have the same general feel as what Rush was doing at the same time, and you can even hear a few Geddy Lee-isms creeping into Soda's voice here and there. Thinking of this as a knock-off would be a mistake, though, because Soda is much more direct, both musically and lyrically. There are a number of songs here that were staples of Soda's live show: "Moon Man," "Break the Ice," "Turn the Kid Loose," and "Saturday Night Getaway" were eventually redone in the studio when Soda officially went solo two years later. The highlight here is "TV People," a longtime crowd favorite about getting brainwashed by television (and the inspiration for the exploding TV set headgear). - Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
©℗ 1979 Tube Records.
Sodapop
Listen Now:
| Track | Song Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Talk All Action City | 2:46 |
| 2 | High Times | 2:43 |
| 3 | Toxic Takeover | 5:00 |
| 4 | Take My Picture, Please | 2:40 |
| 5 | I Mean Business | 3:35 |
| 6 | Beginnings | 8:15 |
| 7 | Crazy Girls | 3:30 |
| 8 | Better | 2:58 |
| 9 | Oversexed and Underfed | 2:22 |
| 10 | Take My Picture, Please - Remix | 2:50 |
Released in 1980Produced by Robert ConnollyFrank Soda - Guitar, Vocals
John Lechesseur - Drums
Charles Towers - Bass, Vocals
David Beare - Engineer
Paul Massey - Assistant Engineer
Robert Meecham - Artwork
Greg Lawson - Photography
"The attention that Frank Soda and the Imps received from their live release paid off in a record deal from Toronto label Quality. On the surface, it certainly seems like some of the band's prog tendencies were sanded off by the studio experience; in fact, some of the tracks lean more towards more generic hard rock ("Toxic Takeover" smells a little like Deep Purple), and even new wave (key tracks like "Take My Picture Please" and "High Times" have a cleaner, more upbeat quality that wouldn't have seemed out of place on an album by, oh, let's say The Knack). There's even the obligatory early-'80s genre exercise in "I'm in Business," which fuses a reggae riff to power pop and winds up sounding more than just a bit forced. While a lot of the dumb rock fun remains, there's something a bit hollow about a lot of the material here. For example, "Beginnings" starts out with some delicately-played classical guitar, but soon after, it degenerates into a plodding epic proto-hair metal number. Not even Soda himself seemed to be feeling the love anymore, because this was the only studio album that Frank Soda and the Imps recorded together; Soda went solo shortly afterwards. (Note: Though the label lists the album title as Frank Soda and the Imps, Frank himself refers to it as "Soda Pop" on his website, and it's easy enough to see why when you take a look at the cover graphic, showing Frank holding up a large pop can.)" - Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
Manufactured & distributed by Quality Records Limited
Mastered at Sterling Sound©℗ 1980 Unidisc Music Inc.
Saturday Night Getaway
Listen Now:
| Track | Song Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saturday Night Getaway | 3:56 |
| 2 | Break the Ice | 3:34 |
| 3 | Skin Graft | 3:57 |
| 4 | Drunk and Disorderly | 3:59 |
| 5 | Moon Man | 5:50 |
| 6 | Turn the Kid Loose | 4:03 |
| 7 | Come On Up (ft. Felix Cavaliere) | 4:20 |
| 8 | Double Trouble | 4:44 |
| 9 | Born to Be Wild | 3:52 |
| 10 | Shoot to Kill | 5:20 |
Released in 1981Produced by Mike TilkaFrank Soda - Guitar, Vocals
Peter Crolly - Bass, Flute
Glen Gratto - Drums, Percussion
Mark Wright - Engineer
Joe Primeau - Assistant Engineer
Robin Brouwers - Assistant Engineer
Patrick Harbron - Photography
John Small - Concept
Dean Motter - Design
"After just one studio album with The Imps, Frank Soda decided it was high time to go solo. Part of it was frustration with that previous album, which didn't capture the band's live energy; it seems pretty telling that when he finally went solo, Soda dragged along a number of staple numbers to finally redo them in the studio. While tracks like "Saturday Night Getaway" and "Break the Ice" still don't match up with the live versions, they still have far more spark than the material on the Frank Soda & The Imps release. Better, "Moon Man" is given a more realized and more fitting treatment in its studio rendition. (There's even a Jethro Tull-style flute!) The new material is a bit of a mixed bag. The funk-ish "Skin Graft" is based on an incident Soda had with one of his many exploding pieces of headgear, which burned his hair and skin; some would say that the bigger tragedy is that the lyrics "skin graft, skin graft, when you're kissing my face, you're kissing my ass" were the, uh, end result. The version of "Born to be Wild," on the other hand, takes a song that's almost become a cliché to cover and gives it a slight rhythmic twist that actually makes it worth a listen or two. Throughout, Soda shows off more of the guitar ability that he distinguished himself with during live shows, and that alone guarantees a more satisfying album." - Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
Manufactured & distributed by Quality Records Limited©℗ 1981 Unidisc Music Inc.
The Adventures of Sodaman
This album is not yet available on streaming services.
| Track | Song Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | You Got Me Where You Want Me | 0:00 |
| 2 | Hit the Wall | 0:00 |
| 3 | Storm Warning | 0:00 |
| 4 | Weekend Wilds | 0:00 |
| 5 | Physical Education | 0:00 |
Released in 1983Produced by Robert Connolly for Tube Productions
All instruments and vocals by Frank Soda
All songs written by Frank SodaArt Direction – Rodney Bowes
Backing Vocals – Jody Roxx (5), John Albani (1,4), Lee Aaron (1,4)
Engineer – Robin Brouwers
Model – Jody Roxx
Photography By – Joseph CiancioPrinted by Visual Vinyl on a 12" Vinyl Collectable Picture Disc©℗ 1983 Soda Music (CAPAC).
High Times, Greatest Hits 1979 - 1995
Listen Now:
| Track | Song Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saturday Night Getaway | 3:55 |
| 2 | Moon Man | 5:56 |
| 3 | Drunk and Disorderly | 4:02 |
| 4 | Break the Ice | 3:39 |
| 5 | Skin Graft | 4:05 |
| 6 | High Times | 2:47 |
| 7 | Toxic Takeover | 5:08 |
| 8 | Take My Picture, Please | 2:49 |
| 9 | I Mean Business | 3:40 |
| 10 | Beginnings | 6:09 |
| 11 | No Talk All Action City | 2:50 |
| 12 | Crazy Girls | 3:30 |
| 13 | Oversexed and Underfed | 2:24 |
| 14 | You Got Me Where You Want Me (ft. Lee Aaron) | 4:19 |
| 15 | Going Down the Tube Blues | 5:19 |
| 16 | Rocky Road | 4:10 |
| 17 | Time For You | 4:36 |
Released in 1995Producers: Michael Tilka, Robert Connolly, Larry Wilson & Frank Soda.
Bad News
Single
Listen Now:
| Track | Song Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bad News | 3:44 |
Single Released in 2019Distributed by Trend Records©℗ 2019 Merv Buchanan
Biography
Originally hailing from Italy, Frank Soda grew up in Kitimat, British Columbia. Inspired by the "British Invasion" of the 1960s, with bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and The Animals, Frank picked up the guitar and fell in love with the raw energy of blues legends such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix.
In the late 1960s, Frank formed a high school band with friends and achieved early success by winning the B.C. Northwest "Battle of the Bands" in 1970. The event’s judges, a European band called The Young Flowers who had toured with Cream, left a lasting impression on Frank.After high school, Frank played with various bands across British Columbia, collaborating with talented musicians like Jack Lavin, who later joined Powder Blues. In 1973, Frank joined forces with Thor, an emerging figure in Canada’s metal scene. Together with Jean Lechasseur (drums) and Charles Towers (bass, vocals), they formed Thor’s backing band, dubbed The Imps. Known for their theatrical performances featuring stunts like breaking bricks on Thor’s chest and dramatic pyrotechnics, The Imps began building a loyal following.During this time, The Imps had the opportunity to present KISS with their platinum album at Maple Leaf Gardens, an unforgettable moment that highlighted the wild and theatrical nature of Thor’s shows. The gesture left a strong impression on both Thor and Frank, inspiring further innovation in The Imps’ stagecraft.
When Thor moved to the US, Frank took over front man duties of The Imps. By 1975, Frank was writing songs that resonated with audiences. Tracks like "T.V. People," which critiqued television's influence, became anthems in Toronto clubs. Frank’s live shows gained notoriety for their high-energy antics, including blowing up television sets on his head. Other props included the exploding "Moon Man" head gear, a smoking pig helmet, and a camera used during "Take My Picture Please."In 1979, The Imps were named "Best Bar Band" and caught the attention of CHUM FM radio. They released their debut album, Live in the Tube, and later signed with Quality Records. Their first studio album, Soda Pop (1980), allowed them to tour alongside major acts like Triumph, Deep Purple, Savoy Brown, and Ian Hunter, despite the album’s modest production budget. By 1981, The Imps disbanded, but Frank continued recording with new collaborators.
Frank’s second album, 1981's Saturday Night Getaway, featured Glen Gratto (drums) and Peter Crolly (bass) and introduced innovative stage elements, including dual video screens for a "guitar battle" between Frank and his recorded self. Frank also developed the iconic "electric suit," adorned with hundreds of lightbulbs, adding a dazzling effect to his performances. However, the live show’s elaborate props sometimes posed risks, such as the "Moon Man" head gear malfunction in Toronto that led to Frank shaving his head after sustaining burns—an event that inspired his song "Skin Graft."
In 1982, Frank collaborated with Lee Aaron, Rick Emmett, Buzz Sherman, and Rick Santers on "The Lee Aaron Project," contributing the track "I Like My Rock Hard." He also produced 1984's The Adventures of Sodaman EP, using a drum machine for the first time, and enlisting musicians like John Albani and Lee Aaron for unique collaborations.Throughout the mid-1980s, Frank toured with various lineups, including Brian Gagnon (Bullrush, The Hunt), Doug Raymond, and Lawrence Gretch (Platinum Blonde). In 1985, Terry Watkinson (Max Webster) joined Frank’s band, and the duo experimented with programming and new arrangements. Around this time, Frank met his future wife, Joyce, who became a significant partner in his life and music.By the late 1980s, Frank returned to Vancouver to support his family and formed the all-female band The Pop Tarts. Though the group eventually disbanded, Frank’s passion for music led to new collaborations with Vancouver’s top musicians, such as Marc LaFrance and Mick Dalla-Vee. With this lineup, Frank toured Canada, performing at festivals alongside Colin James, Goddo, and Frozen Ghost and opening for acts like Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Glass Tiger.
In 1992, Frank and Joyce formed Classic Soda, a duo covering timeless rock, blues, and country hits from the 1950s to the 1990s. In 1995, Pacemaker Records released High Times, Greatest Hits 1979-1995, featuring two new tracks written by Frank. He promoted the album with performances on Q107 FM in Toronto and a successful CD release party in Vancouver.
Since 1996, Frank has balanced his time between performing with Classic Soda and his original band, continuing to write and record music. In 1998, he was elected Vice President of the Pacific Songwriters Association, supporting both emerging and established songwriters during his tenure.Frank Soda remains a unique and captivating artist whose high-energy performances and innovative stagecraft have left a lasting mark on Canada’s music scene.
Contact
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Upcoming Shows
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Previous Shows
* Frank Soda does not currently have any previous shows listed.
Videos
Watch Frank perform on Youtube!If you have videos of Frank you'd like us to include, please contact the webmaster!
Video
Soda Scrapbook
Choose from the below albums to go back in time, or scroll on for a bunch more!If you have photos of Frank you'd like us to include, please contact the webmaster!
| Scrapbook Title | Date Taken/Edited |
|---|---|
| // Old PC Wallpapers | |
| // The Early Years | |
| Rockpile West 2018 | Nov 20, 2018 |
| Rockpile 2016 | Oct 16, 2016 |
| SteveStock, Owen Sound | Jun 3, 2006 |
| The Zoo (Winnipeg) | Nov 25, 2000 |
| Minnedosa Classic Rock Weekend | Jul 31, 1999 |
| CHUM/City Simulcast 1984 | 1984 |
Old PC Wallpapers
A special gallery of 1024 x 768 pixel shots suitable for Soda-izing your older PC desktops...
The Early Years
All kinds of miscellaneous photos from the early years of the Imps...
CHUM/City Simulcast 1984
This was Canadian Rock 'n' Roll history in the making, people. In the first ever multimedia broadcast (called simulcasts because of the simultaneous broadcasting of television images and high quality stereo audio via FM radio) Frank and the Imps anchored the show from the Adelaide Street Theatre in Toronto.
Minnedosa Classic Rock Weekend
Outdoors and unleashed!
The Zoo (Winnipeg)
Stills from the two nights Frank played.
SteveStock, Owen Sound
20th Anniversary Reunion featuring former Imps Glen Gratto and Doug Raymond!
Rockpile West 2018
"Frank Soda is a Canadian musician considered to be one of the most unique and entertaining acts to ever come out of Canada." - Drew Osborne
