Beat Heathens

The Beat Heathens

are a three piece band consisting of guitar, bass, and drums.

Although we are generally considered a “classic rock” rock band, we can also perform a mostly bluesy night if needed. All of us in the band sing and we cover everything from 50’s dance tunes through Hendrix, Neil Young, the Tragically Hip to the Beatles. We adapt our song list to the crowd!

We are ideal for Parties and Dances such as:

Corporate Events
Weddings
Ribfests
Festivals & Fairs
Pubs, Taverns, Restaurants
Private Parties

Video Samples:

The Beat Heathens playing “Do The Bearcat”
at Philthy McNasty’s in Oakville, Ontario Friday Sept. 17, 2010.

History:

To trace the history of the Beat Heathens involves tracing the history of two separate bands. The real “Beat Heathens” was the brainchild of former MuchMusic VJ Dan Gallagher and former Coney Hatch bass player Andy Curran. Among the original members of the band was guitarist Mike Montgomery. Mike played on and off with Dan for many years, as well as pursuing many other musical ventures including opening his own recording studio where he produced over 100 albums.

Among Mike’s external musical adventures was playing bass in a band led by guitarist Pete Christian known as “Big Sister Laura” that featured drummer/vocalist extraordinaire Scott Apted. The band used a bevy of musicians to augment the lineup. One such musician was a friend of both Mike and Scott’s named Wayne Deadder. Wayne was a guitarist and vocalist who had played with Scott in a local jam night.

When Gallagher contacted Mike to find musicians for a new Beat Heathen’s lineup (most of the original lineup was far too busy to commit to the project at this point), Mike suggested using Scott and Wayne. Dan, trusting Mike’s judgment, agreed to use the pair. Thus began the new Heathens.

After a “warm-up” gig in (of all places) Long Island, New York in July of 1998, Dan committed his new band to a regular Wednesday night engagement at the “Peel Pub” on King Street in Toronto. The gig lasted for almost a year. The band built up a solid reputation as well as a strong following, thanks in large part to Dan’s talent at winning over a crowd, as well as the band’s versatility. As weeks passed, the band became tighter and tighter, playing a spirited set of music that included some R&B classics as well as some carefully chosen pop music.

Mike, Scott and Wayne were so impressed with the lineup they virtually “stumbled” across, that they decided to play some gigs without Dan (partially because of Dan’s incredibly busy schedule). Knowing that they would draw out many disappointed fans looking for the nonexistent Dan Gallagher, the trio decided to use a different name when they played without Dan. The name “3lbs” (3 pounds) was agreed upon. Over the next three years, the band played with and without Gallagher.

In late 2000, the band played a cancer benefit in Toronto with Dan. The day was highlighted by Dan taking it upon himself to host portions of the show (introducing other acts, drawing for prizes and generally entertaining the crowd) as well as taking the stage with the band that he essentially put together three years before. Less than a month later, the band traveled to Buffalo, New York to host a special event at Rich Stadium. Once again, Dan was on fire. The pre game show was a highlight of the day for many.

That would be Dan’s last performance with the group.

In early 2001, Dan died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Toronto. He left behind a family of friends that were reeling from the shock for a long time.

Dan’s last band (Mike, Scott and Wayne) decided to forge on, but with a significant change. They would adopt the namesake of the band that Dan created. With the permission of Dan’s family, as well as co-founder Andy Curran, the current Beat Heathens was born.

The band continues to play all over North America attempting to carry on the tradition that was started by Gallagher many years before. The result is a talented group that plays a wide variety of music that continues to win audiences over every night.

Bios:

Mike Montgomery

The founding member of the Beat Heathens is a man of many talents. Along with playing bass in the band, Mike is also an accomplished guitarist, producer, singer and songwriter. His performances are always flawless and inspiring. He is a 25 year veteran of the music business and has been known to work as a short-order cook at a quaint little eatery called “The Candle Tavern” on occasion.

Scott Apted

Cutting his musical chops during his teens in Germany, Scott returned to Canada and made a move to Vancouver for a short time to explore the western music scene. Upon his return to Ontario, he formed the popular Toronto band “Burning Bridges”, contributing his incredible talent as a vocalist, drummer as well as a songwriter to two albums with the band. He has toured extensively and done a tour of duty in the house band on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. You can also find Scott operating the frier at the “Fire Pit Steak House” as well as driving a school bus.

Wayne Deadder

As well as playing guitar in the Beat Heathens, the singer/songwriter also plays bass in the JUNO nominated, critically acclaimed blues band “Big Daddy G”. He has had the pleasure of appearing on the Mike Bullard Show as well as playing with a multitude of artists. He has appeared on 5 CDs and played on commercial jingles and several demos.

Song List:

Mellow Tunes:

It Stoned Me – Van Morrison
Moondance – Van Morrison
Lay Down Sally – Eric Clapton
Heart Of Gold – Neil Young
Helpless – CSNY
Long as I See the Light – CCR
Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Mary Jane’s last Dance – Tom Petty
Night Moves – Bob Seager
Fiddlers Green – The Hip
Bobcaygeon – The Hip
Strawberry Fields Forever – The Beatles

Classic Rock Tunes:

Show me the Way – Peter Frampton
Cinnamon Girl – Neil Young
Powder Finger – Neil Young
Everybody Knows this is Nowhere – Neil Young
Walk On – Neil Young
This Notes for You – Neil Young
Cheap Sunglasses – ZZ Top
La Grange – ZZ Top
For What it Worth – Buffalo Springfield
Mr. Soul – Buffalo Springfield
Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix
Are you Experienced? – Jimi Hendrix
This beat goes on/Switch into Glide – The Kings
The Letter – Joe Cocker
Domino – Van Morrison
The Joker – Steve Miller
Keep on Rockin’ me baby – Steve Miller
Hey You – BTO
Hand me down World – Guess Who?
Bad Moon Rising – CCR
I’ve got a Feeling – The Beatles
My Eyes Keep me in Trouble – Davis Wilcox
Hypnotizing Boogie – David Wilcox
The Weight – The Band
Up on Cripple Creek – The Band
Ohio – CSNY
Brown Sugar – The Stones
Honky Tonk Woman – The Stones
Beast of Burden – The Stones
Let’s Go Downtown – Danny Whitten
Lay down Sally – Clapton
Stuck in the Middle – Steelers Wheel
Day of the Eagle – Pat Travers
Lager & Ale – Kim Mitchell
My Little Girl – Jeff Healey
Angel Eyes – Jeff Healey
Walk Away – James Gang

Cool Oldies:

Proud Mary – Tina Turner
Get Ready – The Temptations
My Girl – The Temptations
Peggy Sue – Buddy Holly
I saw her Standing There – The Beatles
Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
I Feel Fine – The Beatles
Let It Be – The Beatles
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Ain’t no Sunshine When She’s Gone – Bill Withers
Hard to Handle – Otis Redding
Don’t Pull Your Love – Hamilton, Joe, Frank and Reynolds
La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
Suzie Q – CCR

Bluesy Tunes:

Hypnotizing Boogie – David Wilcox
Just Your Fool – Little Walter
Torn Down – Eric Clapton
Crossroads – Cream
Tulsa Time – Don Williams
A Political Blues – Little Feet
Flip Flop Fly – Downchild Blues
Further on up the Road – Clapton

Newer Songs:

Money For Nothing – Dire Straits
Cut’s Like a Knife – Bryan Adams
Summer of 69 – Bryan Adams
Twice as Hard – The Black Crowes
Poets – The Hip
Courage – The Hip
Fireworks – The Hip
Authority Song – Mellencamp

Pink Houses – Mellencamp

Ain’t Talking bout’ Love – Van Halen
Interstate Love Song – STP
Old Apartment – Barenaked Ladies
Brian Wilson – Barenaked Ladies
New Girl Now – Honeymoon Sweet
The Way – FastBall
Scar Tissue – Red Hot Chilli Peppers