The Falcons (Canadian band)

The Falcons are an instrumental rock band from Vancouver, Canada.

History

The band's name comes from guitarist Mike Beddoes' Falcon model guitar amplifier that was made by Fender.[1]

In 1992, the tune "Shadow Land" from their self-titled EP charted in the Top Ten across Canadian campus radio.[2]

In 1995, the band performed with The Fentones at the Pipeline Instrumental Rock Convention in London.[3] The same year they performed at the 60th birthday party for Nokie Edwards, the guitarist of instrumental group The Ventures.[1]

In 1998, the Falcons' album Queen of Diamonds was chosen as the best album of the year by Pipeline Instrumental Review, beating the latest albums by The Ventures and The Shadows. Nokie Edwards from The Ventures made a guest appearance on the album.[4]

The Falcons performed at the Pipeline Instrumental Rock Convention again in 2000.[5]

Steve Newton, writing for the The Georgia Straight, rated the band's album Atomic Guitar as one of the Top Ten albums of 2011.[6] The album includes a version of the instrumental classic "Sleep Walk".[7] It also charted on the Canadian campus radio charts as did the 10th anniversary release of their Rebel Jukebox album.[8]

The band's 2011 release EP Collection includes a version of the instrumental classic "Apache".[7]

The band have toured Canada, Europe, and Japan, and according to CICK-FM have helped to revive the instrumental rock genre world-wide.[9]

Since 2004, the band has mostly been a recording band but does perform live occasionally.[10]

Members

  • Mike Beddoes - lead guitar.[2]
  • Kim Clarke - rhythm guitar,[2] later replaced by Michael O'Brien, Gary Crammer,[7] Gary Schnepper,[3] and then Scott McLeod.[7]
  • Andre DesLauriers - drums.[2]
  • Gord Kearney - bass.[2]

Discography

Albums

  • Queen of Diamonds (1998).
  • Rebel Jukebox (2001).
  • Canadian Christmas (2004).
  • Atomic Guitar (2010).
  • EP Collection (2011).
  • Live in London.

Extended plays

  • The Falcons (1992).
  • Fly By Night (1994).
  • Canadian Christmas (1998).

Video albums

  • Pipeline 1995 London Convention
  • Nokie Edwards 60th Birthday
  • Pipeline 2000 London Convention

References

  1. 1 2 Burke, Dave, ed. (1995). "Falcons Flying High". Pipeline Instrumental Review (29): 21–22. ISSN 1470-8353.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Falcons". pnwbands.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "The Falcons' Mike Beddoes never thought it would be radical to play instro-rock". earofnewt.com. October 4, 2001. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Falcons guitarist Mike Beddoes says the Jaguar is the most Fender of all the Fenders". earofnewt.com. March 11, 1999. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ Geddes, George. "Pipeline Convention 2000". pipelinemag.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ Newton, Steve (December 14, 2011). "Top Ten albums of 2011: Steve Newton". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Newton, Steve (March 20, 2012). "The Falcons give diehard instro-rock fans a reason to rejoice". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Falcon Beach Music - News Room". falconbeachmusic.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Canadian Christmas". CICK-FM. Archived from the original on March 23, 2026. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ Cross, Alan (October 20, 2019). "Rock My World Canada, chapter 110: The Falcons". ajournalofmusicalthings.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2025. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
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