November 25, 2025
Canadian rock legend Gowan returns to Montreal
All the strange animals came out tonight to fill the MTELUS. Gowan was in town for a huge milestone, to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the album Strange Animal.
Lawrence Gowan was back for a second visit in a month after a handful of lucky fans got an exclusive, intimate preview in CHOM FM’s rock room. With support from his musically inclined family and members of Styx as well Only on the road for a handful of dates, ending with a bunch of Quebec shows.
See Also: Die Spitz at Le Ritz PDB, Montreal
Starting in the early eighties, with a solid ten years of being relevant here after the minor success of the first release. This was the second album to somehow only become a chart topper in Canada, while largely ignored everywhere else. Only slowly catching attention years later from a fifty-three-city date tour, replacing Styx singer Dennis DeYoung. Eventually becoming a permanent member. Leading to more recognition, but not necessarily for all the amazing solo work.
Being Canadian means, by law, you must know one song at the very least. I’m kidding, eh! But in all seriousness, you probably already know a song or four without knowing you know. Know what I mean? If the name doesn’t ring a bell, then the famous intro in the song Criminal Minds is instantly recognizable. Probably the most popular one that we were anticipating hearing. They cued that very track, as Gowan came out to the first standing ovation.
These strange animals were tamed by the inflated beer prices and pretty pricey tickets. Seating constraints of tables and chairs, and the fact that most fans were older than the album itself. It was greatly appreciated for a two-hour set. Shows you wished you had a seat, besides paying extra for the balcony, cause comfort costs more now. This was one of those times.
At sixty-nine years young, Gowan jumped around a made more use of the stage. A true performer with more energy than I had at twenty-nine. Scotland-born, he wore a kilt and red matching Scottish garb. Taking a pilgrimage back to Scotland to rediscover his roots is what inspired this album. A twist of fate was being at the right place at the right time to attract the interest of a British producer, David Tickle. Who is responsible for producing music from Platinum Blond, Joe Cocker, Blondie, and U2.
Recording it in Ringo Starr’s studio with several session musicians for Peter Gabriel. Explains the particular, larger-than-life, distinct sound.
Powering through all the first album hits for the first half, I realize just how much he had contributed to Canadian rock. The release of Great Dirty World didn’t have as much impact, but still had these great tunes picked from it to begin the night: One Brief Shining Moment, Awake the Giant first. Saving Moonlight Desires for later
The slower songs were paired together for a break for the band and for Gowan to literally catch his breath. Proceeded by a coupling of the love songs. When There’s Time (for Love) and All the Lovers in the World, with some sexy guitar riffs to boot, enhancing the mood.
Our brains got a break from all the negativity bombarding us twenty-four seven. Keep Up The Fight woke us back up with the harder-hitting riffs. Possibly even instilling some hope for the long, cold winter to come. Keeping the pace with a Styx cover right after, Khedive.
Gassing out a big from how much fun and effort he was putting into entertaining a sitting crowd. From my vantage point at a table in the back, people were loving it, amazed to actually get to see the show. No empty seats in sight, and a full house of fans who needed a little distraction. Showing the real power of music. For healing and bringing us together, minus all the noise of the world.
Gowan was certainly a part of my early musical education. It’s what was playing on repeat on the radio when I was a baby. A simpler time, and when music had a lot more to offer in terms of production. Catchy tunes that had me dancing around before I knew what was being sung.
The nostalgic sound of the keyboards and basslines in Cosmetics, with flashback videos to that era, brought us to the time of bigger hair and tighter pants. Styled a little differently, the Canadian eighties. The pace and arrangement of Desperate reminded me of another band I really enjoy and rediscovered in the last ten years, The Fixx, One Thing Leads to Another. Guerilla Soldier had great momentum leading to the climax: (You’re A) Strange Animal, followed by A Criminal Mind. with a tension-filled piano solo and Gowan’s powerhouse voice. You weren’t just hearing, you were feeling every part of those particular songs.
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With the bonus for a Quebec francophone audience, Pour Un Instant, their Harmonium cover. I knew they had one left in them, one I was waiting for, Moonlight Desires. A fantastical way to end the show. You could tell he gave it all and was tired, but could have probably continued with more if we had asked.
A few standing ovations through the entire night, with a solid roar from a fully satisfied room of fans. Even if you had only paid to see one song, you were leaving there feeling better than when you came in, trust me on this one. I wish I had seen him sooner at this point. Only took forty years.
