Covers and other strangers

>> ’80s band Fantasy are ready to take on
Montreal and Finnish what they started

by RAF KATIGBAK

From Molly & the Ringwalds to the John Sharino Wedding and Bar Mitzvah Experience, throughout the history of ’80s cover bands, none have skyrocketed beyond local obscurity and into international superduperstardom faster than Montreal’s own Dynasty. When news of their tragic break-up during last year’s Scandinavian “Swede Emotion” tour hit Montreal, a city mourned, knowing that not only did it lose a sweet ’80s cover band, but also a guiding light in the hearts of nostalgic twenty- to thirty-somethings everywhere.
But like a spandexed phoenix rising from the glittery ashes, there comes a new musical force, hungry like a wolf and ready to claim the title of “sweetest ’80s cover band ever,” under the auspices of Hiway Freeker Productions. That band is Fantasy. The Mirror recently had a chance to catch up with Fantasy bassist Ron (ex-Dynasty) at his palatial estate in Finland where he’s been stranded since the break-up.

Mirror: So give us the breakdown of the Fantasy lineup.
Ron: Well, there’s Madison on lead vocals, Bahn Bahn on drums, Wilhelm “Fritz” Obermach on keyboards, my little brother Tron Bronstein on percussion, Billy also on keyboards and of course Dynasty’s original lead guitarist Christopher Alexander McCarrington III.

M: When did you know that these guys were the ones, as they say?
R: These guys were actually a Dynasty cover band here in Helsinki when I discovered them, so we were on the same page from the start. Right away, I knew that it was the best ’80s cover band ever and I said to myself, it just feels right.

M: I read on one of your fan sites that the first jam went well.
R: Yeah, I actually cried during “Time After Time.” But that was mostly because I ate some bad herring

M: I also noticed that, besides stuff like Talking Heads, A-ha, New Order, Eddy Grant, Guns N Roses and Cameo, your set list also includes the theme songs from Knight Rider and Airwolf. What’s up with that?
R: In Finland, ’80s TV theme songs are huge. In fact, their national anthem is based on the theme song from Simon & Simon.

M: Hmmm… I did not know that. Are you psyched to come back to Montreal?
R: Montreal’s like our third home so I’m real excited. It’s gonna be a real high energy show, aerobic and sexual. This time it’ll be even better than the last because this time, it’s personal. :

Fantasy’s “Boogie in Your Butt” party at le Swimming on Sunday Sept. 22, 9pm,
$4 with costume, $6 without

>> Music Listings