Head Pins

Photo of Head Pins.Originally formed by Brian MacLeod and Ab Bryant as a sort of 'side project' from Chilliwack, the group was rounded out by drummer Bernie Aubin and Darby Mills, one of the west coast's hottest new singers. Their impact was immediate even before they'd landed a record deal - the band's live magnetism was rivalled by few and they soon became one of the hottest commodities in Canadian rock, beginning with their first show in hometown Vancouver show backing up Blackmore's Rainbow. After winning a local radio contest, the group released TURN IT LOUD on the independent Solid Gold Records in 1982. Co-produced by Bill Henderson, who Bryant and MacLeod played with in Chilliwack, the record allowed the Headpins to hit the scene with an experienced master behind the controls. Charged with emotions, MacLeod's guitars rang predominant, almost a friendly battle with Mills' immediately signature voice. With Bryant and Aubin serving a tight powerful backbeat, the lead-off title-track grabbed you by the balls and refused to let go, and would soon find its place in rock history as one of rock's greatest anthems of all time.

Mills' style became known as the growl and would go on to lead the charge in their energized live show, compared more to Robert Plant or David Coverdale than, say Ann Wilson or Janis Joplin. "Don't It Make Ya Feel" turned the FM stations upside down, as did the title track, backed by the killer "Breakin' Down", about one person's handling personal problems via suicide, "People" and the almost ballad "Winnin'". The Headpins were here and were soon rewarded with a gold record. Word of the band's raucous, charged show spread and by the time TURN IT LOUD turned platinum just a few short months later, the band had already toured most of the continent. The debut would go on to sell over a quarter-million copies in Canada alone and be certified double platinum, making it one of the most successful debut albums by a Canadian group ever.

The band came back in '83 with their follow-up, LINE OF FIRE. Backed by the single, "Feel It (Feel My Body)" and "Don't Stand In The Line Of Fire", the album stayed true to the course its predecessor laid out the year before. Other noteable tracks included "Mine All Mine" and "Celebration", helping the album reach platinum status. LINE OF FIRE not only played the same chords at varying volumes as TURN IT LOUD, but the group also showed growth and diversity with "Feel It", incorporating synthesizers as well as a horn section. Another extended tour ensued, including dates with the likes of KISS, Billy Squier, Helix, Quiet Riot and Whitesnake.

Nearly two years would pass before the Headpins would emerge from the studios again. The result was HEAD OVER HEELS. Typical Headpins, it served up a healthy dose of MacLeod's blazing riffs and once again Mills' unmistakeable voice rang true on "Still The One" and "Death Of Me". One of the rock year's sleeper hits also appeared in "You're Only Afraid Of The Dark", along with "Be With You", "Chain Gang" and the powerful "The Danger Zone". Again the band enjoyed sales of nearly 100,000 copies at home alone, making HEAD OVER HEELS their third straight album certified gold or better. Caught in the political 'BS' that is the record biz, the group found themselves the next year without a deal, but carried on for the next couple of years touring across North America. The response given them showed interest from the fans hadn't waned. Solid, quality rock and roll was still in demand.