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Retro 80’s Night with The Box, Images In Vogue, and Kim Clarke Champniss

Maxwells Concerts & Events, Waterloo, Ontario
Saturday, November 3, 2018

By Keith Sharp
Photos by Jim Ziegler

The expression `Everything Old Is New Again’ took on a whole new meaning Saturday at Maxwells in Waterloo, Ontario as two Classic 80’s Bands; Montreal’s The Box and Vancouver’s Images In Vogue joined forces with former MuchMusic personality Kim Clarke Champniss to stage a special `Retro 80’s Night’

This featured live performances by the two bands, currently enjoying a renaissance, wrapped around Champniss playing a selection of 80’s classics like David Bowie, The Cars, Joy Division, Blonde, The Cult, Billy Idol, Cutting Crew and The Spoons (lead singer Gord Deppe was in attendance) which had patrons on the dance floor as soon as they stepped into the venue.

Introduced by FM98.5 CKWR Radio Afternoon Drive personality Coral Andrews, Images In Vogue showed they have lost none of their former New Wave sparkle with a high powered set, delivering such nuggets as “Lust For Love, “In The House”, “Holiday”, “Everything About You” and “Call It Love”, receiving a well-earned encore of “Promised Land”.

Champniss who kept the party going with 80’s classics
Champniss had the pre and after party going with 80’s classics. Photo by Jim Ziegler.

Champniss who used to manage Images In Vogue, observed that lead singer Dale Martindale sounded better than ever, and the band, anchored by guitarist Ed Shaw, keyboardist Joe Vizvary, drummer Derrick Gyles and bassist Tim Welch maintained a sustained polish which belied the fact that they managed only one rehearsal prior to performing at the gig.

Lead vocalist Dale Martindale, anchored by guitarist Ed Shaw, keyboardist Joe Vizvary, drummer Derrick Gyles and bassist Tim Welch
Lead vocalist Dale Martindale, anchored by guitarist Ed Shaw, keyboardist Joe Vizvary, drummer Derrick Gyles and bassist Tim Welch. Photo by Jim Ziegler.

Champniss spun more golden oldies (actually he was using a laptop!) as The Box prepared to launch their set and, under pressure from Images In Vogue’s well-received performance, came out smoking with “Must I Always Remember” and “Carry On”, two high energy tracks which set up the band’s latest single, “Hey Little Rock Star”.

Led by lead vocalist Jean-Marc Pisapia, The Box also displayed their instrumental prowess with tracks like “Hell On Earth” and “Temptation” allowing the band ( especially guitarist Francois Bruneau, bassist Dan Volj and fill-in keyboardist Marky Savage) to show off their prog-rock talents. But it was melodic tracks like “Crying Out Loud For Love”, “Ordinary People” and their classic hit, “Closer Together” which had the crowd on their feet dancing and earning The Box a double encore of “Check Mate” and their riveting cover of Men Without Hat’s “Safety Dance”.

The Box with lead vocalist Jean-Marc Pisapia, guitarist Francois Bruneau, bassist Dan Volj and keyboardist Marky Savage
The Box with lead vocalist Jean-Marc Pisapia, guitarist Francois Bruneau, bassist Dan Volj and keyboardist Marky Savage. Photo by Jim Ziegler.

And then it was back to Champniss who kept the party going with more 80’s classics which ensured the band’s merchandise tables were well supported and kept the bar open an extra half an hour. A theme which could be utilized by combining other classic rock outfits into a similar Retro 80’s format.

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