Our Classic Rock Cover Band History
Over many years our Cosmic Warehouse Band has evolved from it's original incarnation as a classic rock band, into a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band named “Couldn't Stand The Weather”, and now once again evolving back to the Cosmic Warehouse Band.
Our focus now, is a tribute to legendary classic rock blues music of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, ZZ Top, Jimi Hendrix, Colin James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, and various other artists.
Timeline Of Our Journey
1994 - Classic rock band, Cosmic Warehouse is born with Neil Board, Gord Dowling, Mario Di Genova and Dave Collier.
1996 - Mario and Dave move onto other pursuits leaving Neil and Gord who seek out new drummer John Tate in a three piece variant of Cosmic Warehouse.
1997 - Realizing their collective passion for Stevie Ray Vaughan's music, and receiving much attention with Stevie Ray Vaughan songs in our Cosmic Warehouse blues band song list; a decision was made to focus all efforts on a new project and Couldn't Stand The Weather, a blues rock band emerged; a tribute to the electric blues music of Stevie Ray Vaughan and friends.
1998 - Several club shows throughout southwestern Ontario demostrate a positive feedback from crowds and a growing interest in our group. We had a Saturday night entertainment appearance booked for us at an annual May 24 entertainment festivities event at Cayuga Speedway, in Cayuga, Ontario. We were also booked to open for Downchild Blues Band on closing night of the annual Halton Region Blues and Roots Festival at the Pig and Whistle in Burlington, Ontario. We were exceptionally well received by Downchild's audience and was very honoured by their overwhelming response.
1999 and 2000 - Although playing as a three piece band had been enjoyed, it was mutually agreed that a keyboard player has become a musical necessity to fill out the sound of later SRV classics which are now included in our set lists and Mario Di Genova is asked to come and sit in. We became a solid four piece unit with a collection of SRV and other Texas blues material to appeal to even the most diverse audiences. We also had a second invitation to open for a Downchild Blues Band Halloween show.
2001 - This proved to be a fairly quiet year, musically speaking, as all members took time to spend time with family. Some moved, some changed jobs and others welcomed new family members to the world.
2002 - This was a bitter sweet year for us as we said goodbye to Mario, due to personal reasons and we welcomed former Tom Cochrane and Red Rider keyboardist and Toronto session player, Peter Boynton into our group, as his replacement. Late spring had us in New York state for the first time playing consecutive nights in Niagara Falls and Rochester. This year also brought us our first opportunity to perform at legendary Canadian guitarist Jeff Healey's bar, Healey's, in Toronto, Ontario.
2003 - We were added to a frontline roster at The Booking House, one of North America's most popular and highly respected entertainment agencies. It is thanks, in part, to this relationship, that we became one of the very few tribute band acts Healey's has on it's regular rotation, playing for standing room only crowds. We were also invited to take an opening slot for blues greats Omar and The Howlers at Toronto's Club 279 at The Hard Rock Cafe. What made this show so special, was that Omar had opened roughly 300 shows for Stevie Ray, during the 1980's. It was an honour for us, to hold this spot!
2004 - In the spring, we were invited to play a post-game celebration called "A Taste Of Texas" at The Hard Rock Cafe, Skydome, in Toronto, following a baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers. We had multiple return engagements at Raxx in Brampton and Kingston, Sticky Fingers in Barrie and Healey's in Toronto. We were the only "tribute band" invited to participate in the S.I.D.S. benefit show, held at Healey's, on October 24th, which featured such Canadian artists as Tony Springer (Wild T and The Spirit), The Kings, Sass Jordan, Goddo and Jeff Healey.
2005, 2006, 2007 - These were very big years of change for our group. At the end of 2005, John moved home to Vancouver BC, bringing to an abrupt end, the best years and best friendships we had ever experienced. In 2006, Pete also moved onto other opportunities. We know they will both land on their feet and that they will always be welcome to re-unite the band that had worked so hard and earned so much praise on the Ontario and New York state club circuits. Sure enough, in late 2007, that reunion came calling and our group played together at the same venue that had given it life, so many years ago, The Leathertown Tavern, in Acton, Ontario. It was a real thrill and we all felt as though we had never been apart. All the chops, stops and hits were just as strong as they had ever been.
2008 - It's been a long, hard process, but replacements for John and Pete have finally been found and we're back in business. We are proud to introduce Al Smail on drums and former Max Webster keyboard player, Jimmy Bruton. We look forward to a fantastic 2009 and we'll see you on the road!