The list of reunions and reformations of great Canadian bands adds another to 2026, with a new line up of progressive band ‘FM’ scheduled to play a 50th Anniversary show in Toronto, in November.

FM, formed in the mid 70s, with Cameron Hawkins (keyboards, lead vocals, bass) and Nash The Slash (electric violins, madolin, vocals…), and first appeared on TVOntario, performing as a duo. They added (drummer) Martin Deller to record their debut album Black Noise, which became a Canadian classic, featuring the band’s best known (and still played on classic rock radio here), “Phasors On Stun“. Slash left, recording numerous solo albums, and was replaced by Ben Mink. This line up recorded Head Room (aka Direct To Disc), Surveillance, and City Of Fear. The latter 2 albums included such favorites as “Horizons”, the band’s cover of “Shapes Of Things“, “City Of Fear“, and “Surface To Air”.

After a hiatus, the band reformed with Nash The Slash, for 1985’s more modern radio friendly (AOR) album Con-Test, followed by 1987’s Tonight (with drummer Greg Chrchley and added guitariast Simon Brierley)). With these 2 albums, FM had a few hit singles in Canada, and could be seen on MuchMusic with songs like “Just Like You” and “Dream Girl“. FM also opened 4 shows for Rush in Ontario, on Rush’s Power Windows tour in 1986.

The band went through a few more line up changes, with Nash The Slash leaving following the Tonight tour. By the end of the 80s, FM was Cameron Hawkins, Simon Brierley, Martin Shaw (mandolin & violin), and Paul Marangoni (drums). This line up played some shows and recorded material that was never released.

In 1994 Hawkins, Deller, and Nash The Slash reunited for the CD release of Black Noise. They played 5 shows in Ontario, (I attended 2 of these.) From this tour, Retroactive: FM Archives, Volume 1. was recorded. An excellent live album, but there wouldn’t be a follow up. FM next appeared in 2006, at NEARfest, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (with another live CD & DVD from this show). Another new line up was put together for the 2015 album Transformation. And that is the last release/activity from FM until the announcement of a 50th Anniversary show.

For info on the show, on November 27 at the Redwood Theatre, in Toronto, as well as tickets & line-up, check out: https://www.theredwoodtheatre.com/event-details/fm

LINKS:

https://citizenfreak.com/titles/279291-fm-black-noise

https://www.facebook.com/groups/8316453801

FM