by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

"This is my beef," says Montreal musician Peter Sandmark, and when someone so sweet-natured has a beef, one tends to listen. "Here's this guy, Ray Condo, probably Canada's rockabilly star - I mean, Ronnie Hawkins is a rockabilly cat but he's [originally] from Arkansas, not Canada, and Ray Condo is recognized internationally as a rockabilly star - and his records aren't on any domestic label."

No, but the two-song seven-inch single Sandmark's releasing this Friday is a start. Ray Condo passed away last April at age 52, but the chapter in Canadian rock 'n' roll history that he exemplified hasn't come to a close. "We had to make a statement about his role in music, and the 45 is, to me, the currency of the rock 'n' roll music of the '50s. That was the tool that launched independent music. I wanted to connect Ray Condo to that history."

Condo, with his bands the Hard Rock Goners (of which Sandmark and his brother Eric are members) and later the Ricochets in Vancouver (who supply the record's wild B-side "Big Dog Little Dog"), straddled the space between the original rockabilly scene and the recent revival. He held down the fort, so to speak, through the '80s, with indie releases that earned him both punk props and accolades from the classicists. "To be patriotic about it all," Sandmark continues, "he's a Canadian talent and I don't think a lot of people got a chance to hear it, and probably would like it. What amazes me is how he never did a bad take. He was the real deal. His voice was great every take. He never fucked up!

"We were planning to have Ray come out here this fall, because it would have been the 20th anniversary of Ray Condo & the Hard Rock Goners." Sadly, such a reunion wasn't to be. On an uplifting note, two young local talents who cite Condo as an influence will be present. Li'l Andy opens the show and Bloodshot Bill, whom Sandmark calls a spiritual heir to Condo, will assume vocal duties for the main slot. "I feel like we're passing the torch to him," says Sandmark - clearly unaware of the safety hazard that Bill plus fire might constitute.

Record launch with Bloodshot Bill, Crazy Rhythm Daddies, Li'l Andy and photos by Gayle Hurmuses at le Swimming on Friday, Nov. 26, 9 p.m., $6

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