Painter
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1970) - Dorn Beattie -- lead vocals - Alf Cook -- bass - Paul Burton -- drums, percussion - Dan Lowe -- lead guitar
line up 2 (1970-71) - Dorn Beattie -- lead vocals - Dan Lowe -- lead guitar NEW - Terry Bare -- drums, percussion (replaced Paul Burton) NEW - Royden "Wayne" Morice - bass (replaced Alf Cook)
line up 3 (1970-71) - Dorn Beattie -- lead vocals NEW - Bob "Herb" Ego -- drums, percussion (replaced Terry Bare) - Dan Lowe -- lead guitar - Royden "Wayne" Morice - bass (replaced Alf Cook)
line up 4 (1971-74) NEW - Barry Allan -- rhythm guitar, vocals - Dorn Beattie -- lead vocals - Bob "Herb" Ego -- drums, percussion - Dan Lowe -- lead guitar - Royden "Wayne" Morice - bass
line up 5 (1974) - Dorn Beattie -- lead vocals - Bob "Herb" Ego -- drums, percussion - Dan Lowe -- lead guitar - Royden "Wayne" Morice - bass NEW - Brad Steckel -- rhythm guitar (replaced Barry Allen)
line up 6 (1974) - Dorn Beattie -- lead vocals NEW - Jeff Boyne -- rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (replaced Brad Steckel) - Bob "Herb" Ego -- drums, percussion - Dan Lowe -- lead guitar - Royden "Wayne" Morice - bass
line up 7 (1974) - Dorn Beattie -- lead vocals - Jeff Boyne -- rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals - Dan Lowe -- lead guitar NEW - Jim Llewellyn -- drums, percussion (replaced Bob Ego) - Royden "Wayne" Morice - bass
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- 451° (Dan Lowe) - 49th Parallel (Terry Bare, Dorn Beattie and Dan Lowe) - All The Rage In Paris (Dorn Beattie) - Barry Allen (solo efforts) - Dorn Beattie (solo efforts) - The Centurions (Wayne Morice) - Cheyenne Winter (Barry Allen) - Crosstown Bus (Jeff Boyne) - Wes Dakus' Rebels (Barry Allen) - Hammersmith (Dorn Beattie, Bob Ego, Dan Lowe and Royden "Wayne" Morice) - Prototype - The Purple Haze (Barry Allen) - The Southbound Freeway (Barry Allen) - Streetheart.(Bob Ego) - Witness Inc. (Bob Ego)
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Painter Company: Elektra Catalog: EKS-75071 Country/State: Edmonton, Canada Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: I Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $40.00
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Calgary's Painter had a fairly long life for a band with a limited recording career. Over a four year timeframe the band released six singles (across four labels) and one album.
Painter evolved out of the ashes of Calgary's 49th Parallel. During their three year life, 49th Parallel recorded a string of six singles and a collectable 1969 garage album before calling it quits. Guitarist Dan Lowe and late inning singer Doran Beattie decided to continue their musical collaboration, recruiting bassist Alf Cook and drummer Paul Burton. Under the name Shades of Blonde they started playing parties, dances, school, eventually hitting the Edmonton bar scene. Opting for a new identity as Painter, 1970 saw them signed by Randy Bachman's newly former Molten Records. They subsequently made their recording debut with a surprisingly hard rocking cover of a McCoys tune penned by Richard Dean Zehringer (aka Rick Derringer).
- 1970's "Daybreak" b/w "I Do the Best I Can" (Molten catalog number MM 3)
The single did little commercially and was followed by a personnel shake-up that saw Burton replaced by former 49th Parallel drummer Terry Bare. Bassist Cook was replaced by Royden "Wayne" Morice. Within a couple of months Bare was replaced by former Witness Inc. drummer Bob Ego. The new line-up recorded a second, even more obscure 45 for the West Coast Records. Produced by Lowe, their cover of the Screaming Jay Hawkins R&B classic was decent, though unlikely to change your life.
- 1972's "Suzie-Q" b/w "Going Home To Rock and Roll" (West Coast catalog number none)
Another commercial flop, the upside was the single helped attract the attention of a major label in the form of London Records and a third single.
- 1972's "Country Man" b/w "Lost the Sun" (London catalog number M 17444)
Returning to Canada and signing with a new management company they hit the concert circuit opening for The Five Man Electrical Band. Having recorded an array of demos with him in the producer role, 1972 also saw the band add former Wes Dakus' Rebels guitarist and solo artist Barry Allen to the line-up. Two years and three labels. Next up was Jac Holzman's Elektra Records. New manager Bob Zimmerman helped the band signed a recording deal with Elektra with the band relocating to Seattle, Washington. For an untried band, Elektra seemingly went out on a limb allowing guitarist Lowe to produce their debut 45 with assistance from engineer Jim Gaines:
- 1973's "West Coast Woman" b/w "Space Truck' (Elektra catalog number EK 45862-A/B) #79 US Billboard Hot 100. With the 45 going top-20 in Canada and hitting the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, Elektra rushed the band into the studio. Once again Lowe was allowed the produce, along with assistance from Gaines and soulster Marlon Greene; the two credited as associate producers. Released in 1973 "Painter" offered up an enjoyable and diverse collection of pop-rock. It's an album I've always enjoyed and play on a regular basis. Exemplified by "Goin Home To Rock N Roll" and "Oh! You" much of the LP was highly commercial and I'd be happy to hear the collection on a personal play list (too lazy to set one up), or on a classic rock station (not going to happen). And while the album was never less than good, with the exception of the ethereal closer "Goin Down the Road" fell short of being great. Not sure I can accurately quantify that distinction other than to tell you that with the exception of the catchy "Goin Home To Rock N Roll" and "Goin Down the Road" it lacked that certain "umph" factor that grabs you by the ears and won't let go. (In contrast, as the proud owner of an original copy of the "49th Parallel" LP, I can tell you that album has the "umph" factor in spades. I think the album's main flaw stemmed from its diversity. Bouncing from pop (the should have been a massive hit "Goin Home To Rock N Roll"), to country-rock ("Tell Me Why") and the jazzy ballad "Kites and Gliders" you were left kind of wondering who these guys were. Beattie was an impressive singer, while Allen was largely limited to backing vocals. Lowe was a consistently impressive guitarist - economical, but razor sharp and the Ego-Morice were tight. The album's even more impressive when you realized the collection was recorded quickly with tracks like "Crazy Feeling" composed and recorded on the spot. Final copy, given you can still find affordable copies, this is one worth checking out. "Painter" track listing: 1.) West Coast Woman (Dorian Beattie - Dan Lowes) - 2:47 rating: **** stars The leadoff track was one of the first songs the group wrote after relocating to the US. Beattie and Lowes reportedly finished "West Coast Woman" in an hour. Powered by some nice Lowes fuzz guitar, the song coupled a bouncy melody with Beattie's enthusiastic vocals and a radio-friendly hook. Always loved the section where Beattie yells "guitar". More pop than rock, but there was no denying the performance was catchy. Easy to see why Elektra tapped the song as a single. 2.) Tell Me Why (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 2:07 rating: *** stars "Tell Me Why" had a nice chorus accompanied by an unexpected country twinge. Though I'm not a big country fan I have to admit the performance wasn't half bad The song also served as the "B" side to their "Goin Home To Rock N Roll" 45. 3.) Song for Sunshine (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 2:58 rating: *** stars "Song for Sunshine" found the band delving into a folkier sound. Well, maybe it was better described as folk-rock. Imagine a band like Kansas, or Styx deciding to drop their progressive edges for a top-40 sound. The song was tapped as a Canadian 45.
- 1974's "Song For Sunshine" b/w "Crazy Feeling" (Elektra catalog number E 45886)
4.) Goin Home To Rock N Roll (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 2:58 rating: **** stars To my ears "Goin Home To Rock N Roll" was the album's best and most commercial performance. Imagine one of those early-'70s David Gates and Bread songs where they showed the were actually a rock band (rather than a pop band) and you'll get a feel for this one. Again powered by Beatties' commercial voice and Lowes thick, fuzz guitar it's hard to understand why the song was only released as a promotional single in the States.
- 1973's "Goin Home To Rock N Roll" b/w "Tell Me Why" (Elektra catalog number EK 45873)
5.) Space Truck (Dorian Beattie - Dan Lowes - Wayne Morice) - 2:34 rating: *** stars The lyrics were goofy in an early-'70s fashion, but "Space Truck" showcased their knack for catchy melodies and nice backing harmonies. The track also appeared as the "B" side on their "West Coast Woman" 45. 6.) Kites and Gliders (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 3:47 rating: **** stars The album's most atypical performance, "Kites and Gliders" opened with some of Morice's most melodic ad jazzy bass. A mesmerizing ballad, the song's mid-section gave him a chance to cut totally loose. Very cool.
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2) Reminding me a bit of Head East, "Oh! You" was a tight, commercial rocker with an interesting vocal arrangement. The song would have made a better single than two of the three songs Elektra pulled from the album. Lowe again showed himself to be a tasteful and economic player, Shame the song wasn't longer. 2.) Slave Driver (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 3:01 rating: **** stars One of the album's toughest rocker, "Slave Driver" gave Ego a chance to show off his rock and roll credentials. Same with Beattie's vocals. Probably not the most politically correct song title you've encountered. 3.) For You (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 3:57 rating: *** stars Ego was credited with writing the demo version original recorded with Barry Allen. By the time the track was recorded for their album, it was credited to the full band. Another "heavy" Beattie sounded unexpectedly shrill on this one (particularly when he stretched for the high notes). 4,) Crazy Feeling (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 2:42 rating: **** stars Short of material for the album the band wrote and recorded the funky "Crazy Feeling" in ten minutes. Not particularly original, but their sense of enthusiasm and fun came through. The result was another album highlight ... The song appeared as the "B" side on their "Song For Sunshine" 45.
- 1973's "Song for Sunshine" b/w "Crazy Feeling" (Elektra catalog E-45886)
5.) Goin Down the Road (Barry Allan - Dorn Beattie - Dan Lowe - Bob Ego - Royden Morice) - 8:47 rating: **** stars The album's longest song, powered by Lowe's thick chords and Beatte's lysergic-tinged vocals "Goin Down the Road" has always reminded me of something out of Robin Trower's catalog - it shares the same ethereal feeling as "Twice Removed for Yesterday" or "Bridge of Sighs". As a big Trower fan, those are some of the highest compliments I can give a song. Easily the album's standout performance.
In support of the album Elektra put the band on the road opening at L.A.'s Whiskey A Go Go before hitting the Northwest for the next three months playing high schools, colleges and clubs. Returning to Canada they played a string of stadium and festival dates, and then back to the States for clubs dates opening for the likes of Brian Auger, Bob Seger and Steely Dan. Unfortunately a pair of follow-on singles flopped. The extensive touring contributed to growing unhappiness with their management and personnel changes with rhythm guitarist Allen heading out the door. He was replaced by American sessions player Brad Steckel. Beattie, Lowe, Morice and Steckel headed back to Calgary, but Steckel quickly dropped out to resume full time sessions work. He was replaced by former Crosstown Bus rhythm guitarist Jeff Boyne. Between concert dates the band began recording material for a sophomore album tentatively titled "Down To Earth". With Elektra seemingly having lost interest in the band, they signed a contract with Mercury Records. By the end of 1974 Painter was history. But that wasn't the end of the story. The original line-up of Beattie, Ego, Lowe and Morice resumed their musical partnership recorded a more hard-rock oriented album. In the middle of the sessions Ego quit; replaced by drummer Jim Llewellyn. When the album was completed Mercury elected to release it under the name Hammersmith. Brock Silversides did an extensive article on the band for the It's Psychedelic Baby website. You can find the piece at: https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2017/11/painter-turns-to-hammersmi.html
© Scott R. Blackerby October 2025
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