The Contrarians - Episode 77: Max Webster A Million Vacations

[@thecontrarians2438]

Do you agree or disagree? What is the best Max Webster album? Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi: www.patreon.com/contrarians ko-fi.com/thecontrarians

[@SilentKnight43]

I saw Max Webster at Sutton High School during the Live Magnetic Air tour. Awesome show. My sister worked with Kim's sister at a bank in Toronto back in the day. Kim often picked her up in his Jeep after work. Aside from Rush (you mentioned)...I have to also go with Saga as being among my top 3 fave Canadian bands over the years. We had so many great bands back in the day. Lee Aaron, Headpins, Coney Hatch, April Wine, Aldo Nova, David Wilcox, Doug & the Slugs, FM, Chilliwack, Triumph, Prism, Toronto, Spoons, Honeymoon Suite, Loverboy...just off the top of my head. Great club scene in Toronto back in the late 70s and 80s, too.

[@TheBeeRescuer]

I used to wear this CD out when I lived in Hawaii in the mid 90s.

[@anthonymitchellalice]

First band I ever saw supporting Rush back in '79. Need to go back and listen.

[@George-ft4po]

Hey Martin, i saw Max Webster in the mid 90s in Point Roberts at the Breakers Pub / nightclub. Was wicked good

[@Bobmailly]

I have to agree with you, the EP is rockin.

[@prestonjackson9086]

One ☝️ f the most underrated Rock bands in history Not many play tighter live than this quartet of polished rockers

[@sondragantner9438]

I’m no poser….I’m at purist…and I purely love all of the albums. They are all my favourites and which one I play nowadays depends on my mood…🤘🙏❤️

[@darrelldoran509]

Bin in jail for a thousand years , found a fist in an empty field , only quarters for meals . I sing this every morning while I make coffee . trippy shit .

[@colinshaw4592]

Love love LOVE A Million Vacations Could not agree more with everything you said about it. Trying to buy your book and it's sold out! Boooo I'll order the eBook then. Cheers!

[@ChromeDestiny]

For me THE Max Webster album is Mutiny Up My Sleeve but Vacations is great.

[@richardpenner5515]

First exposure to Max was on Rush’s 2112 tour. Couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing. Their first album was just released and I found it incredible. Paul Kersey came running out in a flesh-coloured leotard and, for a second, he looked butt-naked! Yellow sweatband on each biceps, and, Good Lord, he put on a show. I became a huge fan of that album and lineup, and was terribly disappointed when he was absent on HCiBS. For me, he brought a creativity and edge missing from subsequent albums. Too bad The Hunt never lived up to expectations. My two cents, fwiw.

[@JerryCuberton]

the hunt was ok, their opening album was the best

[@michaelfavreau7617]

Great episode. I gotta get that box set. My favorite has always been Universal Juveniles. Fantastic record. My fav song being Blue River Liquor Shine. Gary is such a drummer. Always punching those crash cymbals in at unusual spots. Love it

[@emilyplunkett6034]

Gary McCracken tought me bass when I was in high school. 😊 I'm slightly kicking myself because I didn't have much interest in this Max Webster band Gary kept talking about at the time - but years later, become a music journalist doing photography work at the Junos (among other things) and I really wish I had paid more attention to what stories he would have offered.

I would go with Universal Juveniles as the best Max album. It's the heaviest and most consistent album. And the Kim Mitchell EP is also great.

[@davebracewell8481]

Used to see Max in bars in KW also saw them open for Rush alot and I have to say the first 3 records are my favs nice to see Max getting some love

[@mintyfresh4987]

Hi Martin. I'm being serious when I implore you or someone you know (Marco, who did the Mystique doc) to get a Max doc out there. Max Webster, one of the greatest live bands of all time, is almost non existent on KZbin. Someone needs to find live footage...it's criminal. I am begging someone to help here. I would contribute to "crowdfund" or whatever.

[@thecontrarians2438]

I’m seriously thinking about doing a documentary about southern Ontario rock/metal in general but I would need to get funding first, I would love to keep making documentaries about all kinds of unknown or lesser known or under appreciated bands

[@SuperStrik9]

You might have seen it but there's a live show from Barrie, Ontario from 1980 on KZbin. Not sure if it's the entire show off the top of my head. Hope that helps a bit.

[@mintyfresh4987]

@@SuperStrik9 Thanks, yes it's a great show from the last days. I wish we could see shows from the whole era as they must have played hundreds.

[@dangaucher2245]

Martin were you still in Trail in 1979?And did you pick up Alberta radio besides Spokane stations?

[@MartinPopoff]

Yes I was an no, never Alberta. Not even sure Vancouver.

[@kevinhall3449]

Universal Juveniles is - in my opinion - by far the best Max album. And for the record, I like 'em all lol

[@SuperStrik9]

I dig Max Webster. Definitely my favorite thing Kim Mitchell has done. I'm more familiar with certain songs than I am albums by them. Paradise Skies, Hangover, and Check are all songs I love. Love the album cover from their debut as well. The block heads always looked to me like beer cases going along a line lol. I recall there's a pretty good live video on KZbin from a show in Barrie, Ontario in 1980 I think the year was. I definitely need to explore their catalogue more.

[@JohnF-007]

love Max Webster, one of my favourite bands of all time, for me the best is , well it varies, i would say high class and Mutiny or Universal as my favourite albums, i go between the three of them, i love the fist one too, and A million Vacations, but for me i would rank A million as my 5th favourite and for myself i love max webster way more than anything Kim Mitchell did as a solo artist.

[@markmorgenstern]

oh wow. I really hated the solo EP. And I just got the whole "Party" package too - I guess I'll give it a re-listen... (and I vote for Mutiny)