The Inferno 5 + 1 from left: Wayne Wallace, Lance Whitman, Les Maki, Dave Powers, John Bell and Randy LaRocque
About a hundred miles east of Sault Ste. Marie is Sudbury, Ontario, home of the great Inferno 5 Plus 1. Members of the band were Lance Whitman and Randy LaRocque on guitars, John Bell vocals, Wayne Wallace (or Wayne Wallice) bass, Leslie Maki on drums and Dave Powers on keyboards and vocals.
“I Can Take It” has insistent drumming, repetitive guitar riffs, and good harmonies. The lack of cymbals, distortion or echo makes for a very dry production but the band’s raw energy is apparent. Either this song or the flip “Fay’s Gig” (which I haven’t even heard yet – anyone have a transfer?) became part of the soundtrack to the movie “Attack of the Brain Demon”. That movie seems lost to time as a print has never surfaced, though I’ve read silent 8mm footage of the band practicing exists.
John Loweth produced for his own Villa label, and the songwriting credits are R. Larocque and D. Powers. The prefix below the Villa label number, ST-, indicates that this, like the two 45s on Algoma, is an custom press from the Arc company in Toronto.
After my initial post about the Inferno 5 Plus 1, I heard from guitarist Lance Whitman, who gave me background about the band and sent in over a hundred photos of the band (see below). Soon after, producer/manager John Loweth contacted me and filled in some of the details.
Lance Whitman
Lance Whitman:
The Inferno was a local club in a laneway behind Durham Street in Sudbury where we were the house band. That’s where the name Inferno 5 came from, when Randy joined we didn’t want to change it so we just added + 1.
The 45 “I Can Take It” was recorded at a local Radio Station, CHNO here in Sudbury one evening back in the 60’s where John Loweth was a DJ at the time.
I never got to see the movie, it aired at a local Drive-In here which had a large homemade screen on the side of a hill…… The 45 was released around the time that I left the the band. [Prior to this] Wayne Wallace left the group and Les Maki went from drummer to bass player and Rick Panas took over as the drummer.
“I Can Take It” was not used in the movie that I’m aware of … it may have been as it says on the 45. The flipside “Fay’s Gig” was used in the movie … Where the movie is, is anyone’s guess I would think that there maybe a copy of it somewhere though everyone involved has been out of touch for so long it’s hard to say….
The scene back that was like a lot a towns I guess a lot of local bands…and a lot of fun times The Kids, King Street, Marketville Riot, The Village Steps, The Beasties. Can’t recall all of them.
The Inferno Five + 1 like a lot of groups had differnces of opinions and parted ways. The remaining members went to form ‘The East African Fair’ and they released a 45 “Lovin’ Every Little Thing You Do” written again by Randy and Dave I believe.
The Inferno 5 Plus 1 at the Inferno Club in SudburyRick Panas
John Loweth:
I was a pretty popular DJ on CHNO in Sudbury at that time and also worked for the record company Arc Sound as sales and A&R promotional rep in N. Ontario. I used to do a lot of school dances on Friday nights taking portable DJ equipment to the dances, but around 1964 as groups like Beatles, Dave Clark 5, Stones became so popular, all the students were asking me if I could get a group to come and play at the dances as well.
So as the Inferno 5 +1 who had started to play at the Inferno Club in Sudbury were becoming popular, I had them come out and play basically during my break. Naturally it was a very short time before I was playing 45s during their break, as our roles quickly changed. I suggested we record some material, and as I had access to professional recording equipment, all it took was a little time how to figure out how to do it.
The recording “I Can Take It” received quite a bit of air play throught Northern Ontario. I know – I was the producer, and promotional guy, and band manager, and mother. We recorded it and a number of other tracks in the dead of night at the CHNO radio studios when the station was off the air on single track Ampex reel to reel recorders and did multiple dubs to get everything on tape.
Through my contacts in radio I was able to get all my buddies in other radio stations to play it and chart it, ie: Sault Ste Marie, North Bay, Kirkland Lake, Timmins etc. and then I started booking the band in some of those towns as well.
We sold over 4,000 45’s which was pretty good, but I had access to and knew all the other DJ’s from CJIC and CKCY in the Soo [Sault Ste. Marie], to all the other towns, plus in my day job as a record guy I had their 45’s front racked in all the Kresges, and Woolworths and even drug stores across the north. And also had special signs advertising the records.
Attack of the Brain Demon poster, “starring Harvey Ransom, Paul Quesnel, Doreen Wright, Meeka Littlejohn, Frank Carbone and Yolanda Zwygart”
Attack of the Brain Demon was produced by 19 year old local Sudbury High School student Larry Zazelenchuck at a cost of $3,500 in B&W 16 mm, in 1967. Starred local school kids Names included Harvey Ransom, Paul Quesnel, Doreen Wright and some others including me as the DJ announcing some sort of demon sightings.
Larry was a fan of mine and came to see me about this film he was doing, and could I arrange to record the sound track, I think we recorded the Inferno 5 with some instrumental pieces plus other stock music and used naturally “I Can Take It” as the title tune. Its premier was at the Sudbury High School Theatre about 400 seats and sold out several shows, It also played successfully at other high schools around Sudbury area, after that I don’t remember what happened to it, or to Larry.
Later we changed the name to East African Fair and did pretty well with our second record, “Lovin Every Little Thing You Do Girl” (after Lance left) which was a totally different style (more Hermans Hermits) than the Stones style of the first release. Then we moved to the big city of Toronto. We did lots of auditions and things and played in trendy Yorkville where you just had to be if you wanted to be anywhere in Canada at that time of 1967.
The national CTV show ‘After Four’ was interested in replacing the current group Robbie Lane and the Disciples and said they woud use us as the featured band next season, they suggested a name change and the remainder of the group now lead by Randy LaRocque became ‘York Lane’.
A major booking agent booked the group in southern Ontario and upper New York state, but unfortunately several band members became homesick and discouraged due to lack of money, and went home, leaving just Randy and myself. I think we were just inches away from stardom.
Randy went on to bigger things, as lead guitarist and arranger for many well known bands and singers and was based in Atlanta, GA for 25 plus years, and I have been lucky enough to make a lifelong living with my company Mayfair Music, due in part to everything learned in those early exciting years.
Update: I’m sorry to report that John Loweth passed away on April 4, 2009. John generously shared his recollections and memorabilia to help document the story of this band.
Srouces: Photos of the band from Lance Whitman, scan of the ad for Attack of the Brain Demon and some info on the band from an article by Alex Taylor and Ivan Amirault in Loose Leaf Review #2.
A history of the Inferno 5 Plus 1 in photos
From the collection of Lance Whitman (click on any photo below to see many more images):
Hi John, I received your email about the Inferno 5, but when I tried to reply it bounced back to me, with a notice saying ‘delivery failure’. I also tried from a yahoo email with the same result.
I’m not sure why there’s a problem – can you try writing me from a different email account? I’d like to hear from you,
Man that brought back a lot of memories. That was my “hangout” I remember Inferno 5+1. That place was dark and hot (unless windows were opened) One of many good times in my Sudbury “teen’ yrs. Thanks 🙂
Thanks for posting this. I looked for this for years! I had a friend who moved down south from Sudbury in 1967 and he brought this record which we proceeded to play constantly. Great record, full of snarling attitude and a great guitar riff and chorus.
I’m very sorry to report that Lance Whitman of the Village Steps and the Inferno 5 +1 passed away suddenly on January 20, 2013 in Sudbury.
I had heard from him as recently as November, so this comes as a shock. I wish I had had the chance to meet him in person.
Lance contributed many photos of his bands to this site. I don’t think I had ever come across a local band as well documented in photographs as the Inferno 5 + 1, and I have Lance’s diligence to thank for that.
I noticed Frank Carbone is one of the actors listed in Brain Demons . I’m wondering if he was the same Art teacher at LaSalle Secondary ? My guess he is . Wonderful undertaking documenting Sudbury bands !
Hi Linda, Jim Christakos here. (King Street band) I played with Randy back in the late 70’s out of TO and I think he moved to NY state somewhere. If you can find him or get any info on him, I would like to contact him also. He has a brother Colin, who may still be up in Sudbury. To this day, still one of the best guitarists I’ve played with and I’ve played with some good ones. Randy was like a mentor to me and I certainly learned a lot from him.
In Atlanta with Anne as far as I know Linda. His Mom Doris passed away last nite July 16 2021. Brother Caelen ( & wife Gillian) in Nicaragua as of 2 months ago. Caelen emailed me. your cousin Mary Weir Sheriff
Hey Randy, What luck to see your post here in this great history of the Sudbury music scene. I was in Sudbury for the first time in 50 years in summer of 2019 shooting a documentary film on the demise of the Town of Creighton Mines and while in the Mine Mill Hall remembered playing there with you, Dwayne and Allan (The Fenderman) Dwayne Brown passed away this past summer and Allan Brownlee is still living in Copper Cliff. Following University at Waterloo, my life morphed briefly into journalism before moving into making music, films, theatre and writing. So glad to hear that you moved on to a career in music.You certainly had the talent from the get-go. Cheers, Jack
I remember John Bell..I was in grade school, and he was a neighbour in Northern Heights in Sudbury..would love to make contact with him. ..I am living in Sudbury again..Nice to know one way or another ..Thanx in advance
Just wanted to say I went to the Hub every weekend with all my girlfriends. We were in love with the Inferno!! I remember we went back to their place after they finished to party. They were very talented!!! AND CUTE!!Those were the days!
These guys were the most exciting band around. They inspired me for sure. Lots of energy! I played for a while with Rick Panas in Battlecreak. I always he was so amazing. So happy to see this out there. There a lot amazing bands around at that time. Wasn’t there a band calls Taxi .. I loved them !
No, they were not Taxi at that time. They were ‘the Beasties’, and decided to change the name to Taxi and headed to Toronto to play professionally in 1967. They 1st played at the Inferno in January of 1966 (as the Beasties) and it was their very 1st gig.
Taxi was a change in name for The Beasties which also played often at the Inferno. The name change came when the Beasties moved to Toronto in the fall of 1967.
Yes, a Sudbury band called Taxi known as The Beasties before and Tote Family after existed. As Tote Family they had a 45 on Yorkville and one on Apex. It was rumored that they also had a 45 as Taxi on the Boo label, but none have ever been found by serious collectors of Canadian 60’s records. Therefore it is my assumption that it perhaps was planned for release, but never was officially released. Anyone here ever find one?
The name of the song was “Next Exit Finch Avenue “. The band’s producer had some financial issues with the record company, which would not release the song until the issues were cleared up. It was to be released in the spring of 1968. Good tune for the time.
I just came across my vinyl copy of this disc. I remember the group playing at my brother’s 16th birthday party. We lived at the CKSO transmitter building/apartment on CKSO Road in McFarlane Lake, off Hwy 69. They rocked!
The Inferno Five Plus One was a great band. The Inferno always had long lineups to get in…..Hottest place in town. Actually, Sudbury had many really good bands.
HAVE WE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DAVE MATHE JIM DUNN THE LATE BRIAN O ;NEIL RICK PITTS ALSO SLOWPOKE WHICH ALSO FEATURED THE LATE RICK PANAS WHY IS WHEN WE REMINISCE ABOUT THE OLD DAYS THESE BANDS DON’T GET THEIR DUE AND ADD THE REASONS WHY TO THAT LIST
WHY HAS NO ONE TAKEN ON THE TASK OF WRITING A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY ON THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT READ WERE ALL NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER I WONDER WHERE MICKEY ST GERMAINE JOHN BELL BRAD CAMBELL JIM DUNN ARE THESE DAYS THEY ALL CONTRIBUTED TO SOME FANTASTIC MEMORIES GROWING UP .
Thanks for the amazing site. I used to have a copy of that 45. The song “I Can Take It” sounded very Rolling Stones to a young me. As to the movie “The Brain Eaters” it looks like it got wider release in 1974 as the “Corpse Eaters”. It may have been direct to VHS. Still, way to go Larry Zazelenchuck. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228158/
Looking 👀 for Randy LaRocque… it’s Mike St. John trying to get in touch with you… How are you doing Bro… long time no see…😃 I truly hope you are healthy and happy 😊… some of the best people we meat in our lives we lose contact with… Well it sure would be great I mean super if we could get a chance to meet and talk again… Anyhow PEACE Randy all the best to you Bro…🙏
I have the single ‘I can take it’ in a fully autographed sleeve, would this make it a collectors item? Amongst the autographs are comments ‘Ask the Beatles if they need a singer?’ and ‘Foggy over there what?’ Difficult finding anyone over here in England who has heard of them, had a good raw sound.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
“I Can Take It” has insistent drumming, repetitive guitar riffs, and good harmonies. The lack of cymbals, distortion or echo makes for a very dry production but the band’s raw energy is apparent. Either this song or the flip “Fay’s Gig” (which I haven’t even heard yet – anyone have a transfer?) became part of the soundtrack to the movie “Attack of the Brain Demon”. That movie seems lost to time as a print has never surfaced, though I’ve read silent 8mm footage of the band practicing exists.
“I Can Take It” was not used in the movie that I’m aware of … it may have been as it says on the 45. The flipside “Fay’s Gig” was used in the movie … Where the movie is, is anyone’s guess I would think that there maybe a copy of it somewhere though everyone involved has been out of touch for so long it’s hard to say….
A major booking agent booked the group in southern Ontario and upper New York state, but unfortunately several band members became homesick and discouraged due to lack of money, and went home, leaving just Randy and myself. I think we were just inches away from stardom.
I Can Take It has everything! Thank you for posting this.
Hi John,
I received your email about the Inferno 5, but when I tried to reply it bounced back to me, with a notice saying ‘delivery failure’. I also tried from a yahoo email with the same result.
I’m not sure why there’s a problem – can you try writing me from a different email account? I’d like to hear from you,
Thanks,
Chris
chas_kit@hotmail.com
Man that brought back a lot of memories. That was my “hangout” I remember Inferno 5+1. That place was dark and hot (unless windows were opened) One of many good times in my Sudbury “teen’ yrs.
Thanks 🙂
Thanks for posting this. I looked for this for years! I had a friend who moved down south from Sudbury in 1967 and he brought this record which we proceeded to play constantly. Great record, full of snarling attitude and a great guitar riff and chorus.
I can take is a GEM! Best Regards to all from Italy
Ciao!
I’m Rick Panas’ daughter and am too a DJ for CHNO! What a small world! Thanks for sharing this. Cheers.
I’m very sorry to report that Lance Whitman of the Village Steps and the Inferno 5 +1 passed away suddenly on January 20, 2013 in Sudbury.
I had heard from him as recently as November, so this comes as a shock. I wish I had had the chance to meet him in person.
Lance contributed many photos of his bands to this site. I don’t think I had ever come across a local band as well documented in photographs as the Inferno 5 + 1, and I have Lance’s diligence to thank for that.
I noticed Frank Carbone is one of the actors listed in Brain Demons . I’m wondering if he was the same Art teacher at LaSalle Secondary ? My guess he is . Wonderful undertaking documenting Sudbury bands !
Hi Phil,
How are you? It has been some time, LaSalle ‘s 25th reunion. Hope all is well with you.
Great stuff! Do you know where Randy is now? Lost track of him many years ago.
Thanks,
Linda
I saw Colin his brother some time back. Randy was still in Atlanta
Hi Linda, Jim Christakos here. (King Street band) I played with Randy back in the late 70’s out of TO and I think he moved to NY state somewhere. If you can find him or get any info on him, I would like to contact him also. He has a brother Colin, who may still be up in Sudbury. To this day, still one of the best guitarists I’ve played with and I’ve played with some good ones. Randy was like a mentor to me and I certainly learned a lot from him.
In Atlanta with Anne as far as I know Linda.
His Mom Doris passed away last nite July 16 2021. Brother Caelen ( & wife Gillian) in Nicaragua as of 2 months ago. Caelen emailed me.
your cousin Mary Weir Sheriff
YEah down here in south Georgia ,still makin music
Where is Colin these days Randy?
Hope you are well Randy. Every once in a while we reminisce about Dad and the Sudbury names as yours. Cheers
Steven Loweth.
Hey Randy, Jim Christakos. I hope all is well my old friend. Drop me a line sometime. Jimyc@sympatico or Jim Christakos on Face Book
Hey Randy, What luck to see your post here in this great history of the Sudbury music scene. I was in Sudbury for the first time in 50 years in summer of 2019 shooting a documentary film on the demise of the Town of Creighton Mines and while in the Mine Mill Hall remembered playing there with you, Dwayne and Allan (The Fenderman) Dwayne Brown passed away this past summer and Allan Brownlee is still living in Copper Cliff.
Following University at Waterloo, my life morphed briefly into journalism before moving into making music, films, theatre and writing.
So glad to hear that you moved on to a career in music.You certainly had the talent from the get-go. Cheers, Jack
I remember John Bell..I was in grade school, and he was a neighbour in Northern Heights in Sudbury..would love to make contact with him. ..I am living in Sudbury again..Nice to know one way or another ..Thanx in advance
I lived at 31 Rio Road in Northern heights two doors up from Rick Panas. Are you related to Dale Paquette.
Just wanted to say I went to the Hub every weekend with all my girlfriends. We were in love with the Inferno!! I remember we went back to their place after they finished to party. They were very talented!!! AND CUTE!!Those were the days!
These guys were the most exciting band around. They inspired me for sure. Lots of energy! I played for a while with Rick Panas in Battlecreak. I always he was so amazing. So happy to see this out there. There a lot amazing bands around at that time. Wasn’t there a band calls Taxi .. I loved them !
No, they were not Taxi at that time. They were ‘the Beasties’, and decided to change the name to Taxi and headed to Toronto to play professionally in 1967. They 1st played at the Inferno in January of 1966 (as the Beasties) and it was their very 1st gig.
Taxi was a change in name for The Beasties which also played often at the Inferno. The name change came when the Beasties moved to Toronto in the fall of 1967.
Yes, a Sudbury band called Taxi known as The Beasties before and Tote Family after existed. As Tote Family they had a 45 on Yorkville and one on Apex. It was rumored that they also had a 45 as Taxi on the Boo label, but none have ever been found by serious collectors of Canadian 60’s records. Therefore it is my assumption that it perhaps was planned for release, but never was officially released. Anyone here ever find one?
The name of the song was “Next Exit Finch Avenue “. The band’s producer had some financial issues with the record company, which would not release the song until the issues were cleared up. It was to be released in the spring of 1968. Good tune for the time.
Hi Jorma
It”s been a half a century since G9AB. Hope you are well. Do you have any knowledge of what happened to Jim Norris?
Jim lives near St. Catherines. He publishes a variety of music publications including Canadian Musician Magazine.
I just came across my vinyl copy of this disc. I remember the group playing at my brother’s 16th birthday party. We lived at the CKSO transmitter building/apartment on CKSO Road in McFarlane Lake, off Hwy 69.
They rocked!
The Inferno Five Plus One was a great band. The Inferno always had long lineups to get in…..Hottest place in town. Actually, Sudbury had many really good bands.
Sad news this week for Inferno 5 plus 1 fans.
http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oid=1001874
HAVE WE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DAVE MATHE JIM DUNN THE LATE BRIAN O ;NEIL RICK PITTS ALSO SLOWPOKE WHICH ALSO FEATURED THE LATE RICK PANAS WHY IS WHEN WE REMINISCE ABOUT THE OLD DAYS THESE BANDS DON’T GET THEIR DUE AND ADD THE REASONS WHY TO THAT LIST
Thanks so much for remembering.
WHY HAS NO ONE TAKEN ON THE TASK OF WRITING A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY ON THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT READ WERE ALL NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER I WONDER WHERE MICKEY ST GERMAINE JOHN BELL BRAD CAMBELL JIM DUNN ARE THESE DAYS THEY ALL CONTRIBUTED TO SOME FANTASTIC MEMORIES GROWING UP .
I am in Altoona Iowa ( suburb of Des Moines) & doing well
Thanks for the amazing site. I used to have a copy of that 45. The song “I Can Take It” sounded very Rolling Stones to a young me.
As to the movie “The Brain Eaters” it looks like it got wider release in 1974 as the “Corpse Eaters”. It may have been direct to VHS. Still, way to go Larry Zazelenchuck.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228158/
Attack Of The Brain Demon and Corpse Eaters are two different movies. The first movie was sadly lost years ago. It was only on 16mm B&W.
Do tapes exit for this supposed release?
Looking 👀 for Randy LaRocque… it’s Mike St. John trying to get in touch with you… How are you doing Bro… long time no see…😃 I truly hope you are healthy and happy 😊… some of the best people we meat in our lives we lose contact with… Well it sure would be great I mean super if we could get a chance to meet and talk again… Anyhow PEACE Randy all the best to you Bro…🙏
I have the single ‘I can take it’ in a fully autographed sleeve, would this make it a collectors item? Amongst the autographs are comments ‘Ask the Beatles if they need a singer?’ and ‘Foggy over there what?’
Difficult finding anyone over here in England who has heard of them, had a good raw sound.