The Falcons Discography (1997 - 2012)

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The Falcons Discography (1997 - 2012)

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Canada's Falcons play original instrumental rock and roll inspired by The Shadows and The Ventures. Formed in 1992 by Vancouver guitarist Mike Beddoes, The Falcons have recorded five albums, toured in Europe and Canada’s Yukon, showcased in Japan, and helped revive the instro rock genre worldwide.

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The Falcons Discography (1997 - 2012)

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History:

After auditioning 24 rhythm guitarists and recording an original instro demo in 1991, guitarist Mike Beddoes finally got The Falcons together in 1992 and released The Falcons EP cassette featuring Shadow Land.

Shadow Land charted coast to coast in the top ten on Canadian campus radio, appeared on Rounder's Beyond the Beach instrumental rock compilation, and in several Canadian film and television productions.

The Falcons played live in the Vancouver area through the 90s, toured in Europe in 1995, and Canada's Yukon in 1999 - the first (and only) all-instrumental rock band to play 4 sets nightly at the Capital Hotel in Whitehorse.

The Falcons have appeared twice at Pipeline Instrumental Rock Convention in London England, in 1995 and 2000.

In 1999, Falcons' guitarist Mike Beddoes spent time in Japan with instro historian Yuzo Sasaki, and showcased at El Camino, Tokyo's all-instro nightclub, with Barry Gibson of Burns Guitars.

Debut album Queen of Diamonds, with guest Ventures guitarist Nokie Edwards, was named Album of the Year (1998) by UK instro magazine Pipeline. Mike first met Nokie in 1994 when he interviewed him for an Instro fanzine. In 1995, The Falcons played with Nokie at his 60th birthday party and met more Ventures.

Bill Bonney, The Falcons' guest on Rebel Jukebox, played bass in 60s UK instro group, The Fentones. Bill first met Mike in 1995 at the Pipeline Convention in London, UK, when Mike joined The Fentones on rhythm guitar for the band's first reunion in 32 years.

Steel guitar virtuoso, the late Pat Gerow, is The Falcons' guest on Canadian Christmas. A Western Swing Hall of Fame member, Pat played with the Rhythm Pals and Hank Snow, and was the first non-Hawaiian to become a member of the Royal Hawaiian Orchestra.

Since 2004, The Falcons have been mainly a recording band, but perform live occasionally, most recently at the Summer of Love festival in Vancouver, 2008.

The Falcons are celebrating their 20th anniversary with three new albums: Atomic Guitar, the EP Collection, and Rebel Jukebox 10th anniversary edition.

~ falconbeachmusic

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The Falcons Discography (1997 - 2012)

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Queen Of Diamonds, from the Canadian twangsters, THE FALCONS, with two "Bonus Tracks", Seattle and Rikki, featuring legendary VENTURES' guitarist Nokie Edwards, covers the entire instro rock genre, from surf, frat rock and the perennial spaghetti western themes. Recorded "live off the floor" early sixties style with distance miking and double-tracked lead guitars, using vintage tube amps, spring reverb and Eccofonic tape echo, this collection pays tribute to the group's musical roots in the Pacific Northwest sound, the home turf of THE VENTURES themselves. Even the CD album cover utilises a photo concept pioneered by THE VENTURES during the early sixties. And of course, "Bonus" track Seattle is THE VENTURES hometown, and musically traces the Pacific Northwest sound from where it all started. Although not swamped with the surf sound, there is enough to keep even the most hardened gremmie happy. After all, most people not familiar with "surf music" automatically think of THE VENTURES as a surf band. However, as their product and these 14 tunes from a group of musicians who know their sound well, they and Queen Of Diamonds were/are much more. The Big K's faves (so far) are Silver Dollars (she wore), The Moon Under Water and Seattle.

Stephen McParland, IT, The Australian Record Collectors Magazine

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The Falcons Discography (1997 - 2012)

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It’s been far too long since we heard from The Falcons. This seasonal set was recorded in analogue at Vancouver’s Russian Community Centre and has all the hallmark Falcons sounds. With the emotion meter registering high and the corn factor kept reasonably low, the application of Mike Beddoes’ finger-style playing to these traditional tunes proves to be a great match.

They rock up Deck the Halls with a dash of Tequila, jangle neatly through Jingle Bells with some extra steel guitar and add combo organ for some bonus House of the Rising Sun flavouring on We Three Kings - an unlikely feat which works a treat. Ye Merry Gentlemen bounces along with some trademark Beddoes licks and even Peggy Sue lends a hand with Angels on High. Meadowlands is a tribute to The Chessmen, though most outside of Canada will recognize the tune under various other titles such as Riding Cossack or The Rocket Man. Whatever, the intro on this Falcons version is an absolutely fabulous 40 second shimmering guitar duet which I’d love to hear developed further. As it is The Falcons go into a (comparatively) conventional uptempo version. I’m in the mood now - We Wish You a Merry Christmas too!

Alan Taylor, Pipeline Instrumental Review, London, UK

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The Falcons Discography (1997 - 2012)

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The ranks of instrumental guitar bands are still under-populated, but Vancouver, BC's the Falcons have been flying the flag proudly for 20 years. Lovers of the surf'n'twang sound will find plenty to enjoy in these 13 instrumentals written by lead axe-man Mike Beddoes, save for a version of the classic "Sleepwalk" that closes Atomic Guitar. This is the band's first album in seven years and it's already scoring rave reviews in Europe. Recording live-off-the-floor in analogue gives it a suitably retro sound and the Falcons fit nicely between the Shadows and Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet. They hang ten with surfalicious opening cut "Wild Tide," head into western terrain with the twangy "Another Tear" and "Ride of the Highwaymen," and get a little galactic on the space-y title cut. This is very cool stuff that'll sound even better on a hot summer day

Kerry Doole, Exclaim Magazine, Toronto

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The Falcons Discography (1997 - 2012)

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The Falcons have been playing contemporary rock "instros" (their term) for twenty years and in celebration of that anniversary they are releasing three CDs this year. The "EP Collection" is the second release in the series and it's a great one…Although the sound is rooted in the past, The Falcons are not a retro band. They are taking an established form and moving it someplace a little different. They call it "Instros for Moderns"

Richard Samuell, BC Musician

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The Falcons' latest release, Rebel Jukebox, is their best yet…This is sophisticated rock instrumental music - without a lot of rough edges - that pleases and is strongly recommended.

John Blair, Discoveries