The Skydiggers

Biography

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Desmond's Hip City

Begining as the acoustic duo of Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson in 1988, Skydiggers quickly expanded to include songwriter Peter Cash and drummer Wayne Stokes. Bassist Ron Macey was recruited when responded to an ad that read, "Wanted: lonely guy to meet other lonely guys to share musical experiences." Less than a year after coming together, the band signed a deal with Enigma Records, which released their selt-titled debut in 1990.

The followup, Restless (1992), earned the boys the 1993 Juno Award for Most Promising Group of the Year. Although the band has released seven albums since, most notably 1997's experimental Desmond's Hip City, Restless is still considered to be Skydiggers’ crowning achievement.

Skydiggers' lineup has seen some changes over the years. Peter Cash left the group in the mid-90s to form the Cash Brothersand was replaced by Paul McLeod. The drum stool has been a hard spot for the band to keep filled, with drummers Joel Anderson, Peter von Althen and Gavin Brown all putting in time on the kit since Stokes' departure in 1992.

In 1999 the band released Still Restless – The Lost Tapes, an expanded reissue of their classic Restless. They followed that with There and Back (2000), a live album recorded at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Six years after their last collection of new material, the band issued Bittersweet Harmony, released in March 2003.

In between records, the members of Skydiggers keep themselves busy with other projects. Andy Maize is a founding member of MapleMusic.com, and an executive at sister-label MapleMusic Recordings. Josh Finlayson co-produced both of Gordon Downie's solo records Coke Machine Glow, and Battle of the Nudes. He also plays in Downie's touring band. Ron Macey helped has produced the Celtic rockers The Mahones and also manages the band Sweener. Finally, Paul MacLeod is an acclaimed solo artist in his own right with a pair of albums to his credit that have earned him a following of his own.

In 2006, the band returned with the album Skydiggers/Cash Brothers. An acoustic collection that evolved from a series of collaborative shows put on by the two bands and former band mates. In a nod to their beginnings, Josh and Andy have recently begun an unplugged tour of North America. The band is also planning to begin recording a new album, tentatively titled City of Sirens, sometime in the spring of 2007.

Sources: The Skydiggers' Official Website, the Cash Brothers' official website, Wikipedia, the All Music Guide

Relationship to Blue Rodeo

Skydiggers and Blue Rodeo have collaborated a number of times over the years, through tribute shows, award shows, and as supporting acts.

On March 22, 2007 Skydiggers performed with Cash Brothers and original Blue Rodeo keyboardist Bob Wiseman, at an NDP charity fundraiser in Toronto.
Josh and Andy shared the stage with Jim and Greg at a "Radio Monday" showcasing the best of Canadian singer-songwriters on May 14th, 2001. This was the first time that Jim Cuddy played "Bulletproof" to an audience.
Jim Cuddy and members of the Skydiggers have been known to show up at each other's gigs and share the mic for a couple of songs.
Andy Maize appears on Jim's solo CD All In Time, while Joel Anderson is the drummer in the Jim Cuddy band.
Jim Cuddy adds piano tracks to Skydiggers' Desmond's Hip City.
At the Skydiggers' Christmas party in December 1999, Jim Cuddy joined them on stage to sing "Oliver's Army" and "Blew It Again".
Both bands appear on 1994's Borrowed Tunes (a Tribute To Neil Young) and the 1996 release Pine Ridge (songs for Leonard Peltier)
In 1995, Blue Rodeo and Skydiggers sang the Diggers song, "You've Got a Lot of Nerve" at the Kumbaya Festival in Toronto.
In 1993, Andy and Josh were at Greg's farm for the making of the "On The Farm" special.
At the 1992 Juno Awards, Andy Maize, Molly Johnson and Neil Osborne joined Blue Rodeo for a tribute to Ian and Sylvia.

Quotes

"I first saw Jim and Greg play in a band called the Hi-Fi's in 1978 and they used to play at the Cabana Room. That was the first time I was at the Cabana room, was going to see them play. I thought, boy, that's great, I should try this too. It looked like a lot of fun." - Andy Maize, during the taping of On The Farm

"I remember touring with Blue Rodeo in BC in the winter of 1991. One stop, the most memorable for me was Trail BC. The gig that we did with them was in the Kominko gymnasium that held about 1,000 people and it seemed to me that the entire community of Trail was there from five years old to folks of 80 or more. It was a really great experience to be a part of and I always thought it was a great thing that Blue Rodeo always seems to get to these places." - Josh Finlayson

Last Updated

April 2007