Song#: 3003
Date: 01/31/1987
Debut: 91
Peak: 72
Weeks: 8
Genre: Pop, Rock, New Wave
Pop Bits: Eight Seconds first got together in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in 1982. They started out performing covers, but it wasn't long before they began incorporating originals into their sets. After gaining exposure through a couple of contests, the band was able to record an EP in 1985 titled Ottava Rima, which proved to be a popular local release. Apparently liking the works of producer Rupert Hine (The Fixx, Tina Turner, Howard Jones), the band sent him their EP in hopes of getting his attention. Hine ended up liking what he heard and after seeing them perform live, he offered to produced an album for them. With Hine on board, the band was able to sign with Polydor and work began on their full-length debut Almacantar. This first single was released and in Canada it did well reaching #12. The song crossed the boarder into the States and was able to get on the Pop chart for a couple of months. The album earned the band a Juno nomination for Most Promising Group. It seemed the band was on its way, but then troubles hit. Issues behind the scenes caused the release of their second album, Big Houses, to be delayed. They had to switch over to ATCO Records, who finally pushed out the album in 1990. By that time, the band was unable to capitalize on the momentum built up by their debut and the new LP quickly disappeared. Then changes at their label left them back out on their own. The group quietly folded soon after and went their own ways.
ReduxReview: This band already had a new wave/rock sound along the lines of The Fixx so Hine's production certainly was appropriate (and was probably why they pursued him). This track was polished in a way to make it sound more European than Canadian. It worked well, but the song just didn't have a big enough hook to cut through on US radio. Plus, we already had a Fixx - did we need another? Regardless of the similarities, the tracks on Eight Seconds' album were well done. The band just needed one more track that had better commercial potential.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: One of the contests that Eight Seconds competed in was on the Canadian TV variety series Rock Wars. They didn't make it to the finals, but the exposure helped the band. Rock Wars would only last one season. Its one and only winner was the R&B/funk band Tchukon. Their prize for winning was $100k (Canadian) along with starring in their own half-hour CBC TV special. After their TV show was filmed, they used it as a demo to try out for the popular American TV variety contest series, Star Search. They got on the show and eventually won in the Best Vocal Group category in 1986. Their win netted them $100k (US). They were also the first Canadian act to win in any category on Star Search. The wins and the money gave them the opportunity to sign with a label and release their debut album Here and Now. It earned them a Juno nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album. But then as they were recording their follow-up, members got opportunities to do other projects. Time passed by and the band just never reconvened to finish off their second album.
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