Goddo - Band History

Band History

Following a stint with Fludd, bassist Greg Godovitz formed Goddo with former Brutus guitarist Gino Scarpelli and former bus drummer Marty Morin. The band toured clubs in Canada with occasional forays into the United States. In 1975, they released the single "Louie Louie" on A & M Records Canada which helped them secure more work on the Southern Ontario bar circuit.

Marty Morin left in 1976 and was replaced by Doug Inglis on drums. In 1977, Goddo was signed to Polydor Records. Their self-titled debut album was released later that year.

The follow-up album, If Indeed It's Lonely At The Top...WHO CARES...It's Lonely At The Bottom Too! (1978), features a barbed view of rock and roll lifestyles and the music industry in general.

'An Act Of Goddo' followed in 1979 along with a live performance in Toronto. The performance, called 'An Act Of Goddo In Church', has since been re-issued on DVD as "Live".

In 1980, Goddo were slapped with a lifetime ban from the The Forum at Ontario Place in Toronto, Ontario, after an over-sold show lead to a riot at the general admission facility.

Now with a new deal through Attic Records, Goddo decided to make a live album. 'Best Seat In The House' was recorded over two nights in May 1980 at the Roxy Theatre in Barrie, Ontario and produced by Bob Segarini.

Goddo followed the live LP with what would become their most successful commercial release with called Pretty Bad Boys. The title track which spent more than 16 weeks on the Canadian charts. But within a year of the release the band was broke and without a recording contract and disbanded.

In 1989, the Classic Rock revival in Canada was in full swing and Godovitz reformed the classic line-up for a series of limited shows that were sold out. Inspired that the band could have a second life, a "best of" package called 12 Gauge Goddo was released in 1990.

The reunited group recorded King Of Broken Hearts (1992) with producer Terry Brown and produced a new single and video in "Was It Something I Said?". The band toured promoting the album and doing double bills with Hamilton punk band Teenage Head

In 1994, Godovitz returned to the stage as a member of The Carpet Frogs who released one CD in 1995 called "Frog Curry". Godovitz and the band parted company in the late '90s and Godovitz returned to focusing on Goddo.

To celebrate Goddo's 25th anniversary as a band, a party was organized at Toronto's Warehouse Club in 2000 featuring the original Goddo (including Marty Morin), Ronnie Hawkins, The Partland Brothers, Andy Curran (Coney Hatch) and members of Godovitz's new British Invasion act The Anger Brothers including Bob Segarini. The show and the subsequent tour that year became the basis for the sequel to 'Best Seat In The House', called "2nd Best Seat In The House". Goddo's first three albums were remastered and re-issued on CD by Bullseye Records to coincide with the tour.

Godovitz released his memoirs called 'Travels With My Amp' also on Bullseye Records. He toured Canada to promote the book through 2001. Footage from the book tour and a live acoustic performance at Hugh's Room in 2004 became the basis for his Bullseye Records solo DVD 'Up Close And Uncomfortable'. Featuring Goddo hits along with some rare tracks performed live as they were originally written on an acoustic guitar.

In 2003 Godovitz along with Bob Segarini, drummer Doug Inglis, keyboardist Brad Lovatt, guitarist Steve Jensen and bassist MIke Pellarin, released a CD self-titled under the name The Anger Brothers.

The core of that band and that album became the basis for a brand new Goddo record—2004's "Kings of The Stoned Age" on Bullseye Records. The band toured Southern Ontario in support of the new album which saw two radio singles hit the airwaves - "Rock Star" and "Such A Fool".

2005 saw a change in the band's line up as guitarist Gino Scarpelli left. Taking his place on lead guitar was Steve Shelski of Coney Hatch, who was joined by Anger Brothers keyboardist Brad "Mr. Anger" Lovatt, fleshing out the line-up with original Goddo members Godovitz and Inglis.

In 2006 Greg Godovitz along with Bob Reid began Rock Talk, a weekly Toronto based radio talk show.

That same year Godovitz began working in the studio producing the Canadian rock group Three Quarter Stone on their debut CD "It Starts Right Here". Three Quarter Stone's second album "Bullet With A Name" released in 2009 includes a cover version of Goddo's "Tough TImes".

In 2007 Linus Entertainment released the DVD "An Act Of Goddo In Church" called 'Live' featuring the band's 1979 broadcast from CHUM FM and City TVs first ever stereo multi-media simulcast.

In 2007 Canadian label Bullseye Records released the double-disc anthology set called "Under My Hat: Volume 1 - Active Goddo" featuring live material recording during their salad days of 1976-1977.

Summer 2008, Godovitz is working in Axe Music in Calgary producing new acts, including producing on the debut album "Out of the Pit" for heavy metal band Kobra and the Lotus. and still performing live in Calgary usually as a guest artist with other acts as well as playing his solo show " Up Close and Uncomfortable". 2009 Godovitz returned to Toronto and played a few Goddo shows. The band featured Godovitz, drummer Doug Inglis, Mr.Anger, and the son of Goddo's original guitarist Gino Scarpelli, Gene Scarpelli on guitar.

Inspired by the “Anvil” Documentary, John Power of All Access Productions approached the band with the concept of making a documentary on the story of Goddo. One of Canada’s finest musical rock acts.

Along with the archival footage the bands long standing audio technician Dan Nullmeyer had in his own private collection, All Access Productions really wanted some current, up to date footage of the band. This inspired 2010’s reunion of the Original Goddo. Greg Godovitz, Gino Scarpelli and drummer Doug Inglis.

On March 28, 2010 Goddo, along with guest musicians, Ed Pilling “Fludd”, Dr. John Bjarnason on harmonica, the bands original drummer Marty Morin on percussion and Scarpelli’s son Gene Scarpelli on a second Fender Stratocaster played a sold out show at Toronto’s Sound Academy. The show was filmed with the idea the current footage will be part of the documentary. The band however were so pleased with the results they are considering releasing this show as its own DVD.

With the making of the documentary now in full swing the reunited Goddo are once again enjoying playing their music to sold out houses all over Ontario and are planning some shows in Western Canada for the first time in almost 20 years.

When asked about the band recording any new material Godovitz replied “You never know. This band has lasted longer than any of our marriages”.

On June 29, 2012 Goddo played The Rock Pile in Toronto.

http://www.musicagent.biz/resources/In%20Goddo%20We%20Tru$t%202012%20Sponsorship%20Program.pdf

On July 1, 2012 Goddo played a Canada Day Bash at The Knights of Columbus Hall in Cambridge (Preston) ON.

Their website presently states more shows coming in August 2012.

On Sept. 15th the band played in REGINA/CRAVEN SASKATCHEWAN - @ Truly Unique Country Weddings