From the first Clash show in Toronto to Bob Marley’s last appearance in the 416, Simon and Nick White were there for some of the most seminal moments in Toronto music history. The images they captured from that electric time are on display from March 3rd to April 1st at The Steamwhistle Brewery (255 Bremner Blvd), with an opening reception March 3rd from 6 pm til 11. We chatted with the brothers about what it was like to be a part of the vibrant rock scene: from Saturday afternoons at The Record Peddler, tribal identity formed at punk shows, and destroying seats at a Clash gig so there was somewhere to dance. Cool rock dudes, take it away:

SDTC: What did you love best about that time period?
Simon & Nick: The feeling of being part of something that was fresh, new and dynamic. There was a real energy and spirit that was set out to create an environment for new bands to make music that was different to the usual music that we had to listen to on stations like CHUM FM and Q-107 at that time. There also a movement to create a whole underground network of fanzines bypassing the mainstream media which didn’t want to cover these bands. It was also really exciting to hear new music coming from Jamaica, which also hinted at other kinds of music from around the world. It was as if the lid had been lifted and there were now a whole new set of rules and opportunities.

Take us back in time-if we were waiting outside one of those clubs, what would we see?

A real mix of eccentric characters and individuals trying to make bold statements with the way they looked and acted.

At the time-did you feel like you were a part of something, or was it just a typical Saturday night?
Oh, very definitely a feeling that we were part of something…it was our thing. There was a fantastic feeling of fun, camaraderie. We also felt like there was a political awakening and we wanted to challenge the status quo. Politics were becoming a major part of not only the music but also the culture.

Today, Ossington is the place to be. Where was it all happening in Toronto during these 4 years?
There was no one area, but there were a handful of clubs such as The Turning Point at Bloor and Avenue Road, Larry’s Hideaway which was right in the middle of Allan’s Gardens, The Edge at Church and Gerrard, The Concert Hall at Yonge And Davenport and The Music Hall out on the Danforth. For all the local bands, they played at venues such as The Horseshoe, The Cabana Room , The Cameron, The Exile On Main Street as well as the Edge and the other venues. The Beverly Tavern was probably the best place for everybody to go to meet as there was no cover charge and the beer was cheap and Gus was a great cook! To some people New Rose was the only place they could buy the clothes that all the punk bands were wearing. But there was also the DIY ethic which meant that most of us bought clothes from charity and made our own customized outfits. The Record Peddler was the only place you could buy the records so on a Saturday the shop was always jammed with people who just wanted to come in and listen to what was new that week. This of course is completely different to what we have now with the internet.

The landscape of music-from Itunes to Pitchfork to Myspace-has completely changed. What do you feel has been lost? Gained?
There was sense of a tribal identity that we used to share at gigs but there was also a feeling that we were sticking it to the man and trying to change what was by then a very stale music scene. There doesn’t seem to be a pioneering spirit pushing the boundaries of music and culture in the 21st century. There is, however, unlimited access and freedom of expression available to anybody who has an internet connection. It’s easier now to find some fantastic new bands from around the world.

Best show you remember?
The Clash at The Rex Danforth in Feb 1979. The band had everything…it was loud, ugly, rough and the crowd were out of control pushing the band even further, harder, eventually leading to a stage invasion, the first of the tour. The band themselves were surprised by the Toronto response

Craziest moment?
Destroying the seats at The O’Keefe Clash gig in September only because there was nowhere to dance. And then seeing Cosmo Vinyl (The Clash’s tour manager) counting the destroyed seats on the New Music and saying there were only 20 rock n roll fans in North America.

What is your favourite photo in the series?
The snarling Joe Strummer shot from The Rex Danforth gig. It’s an ugly and supercharged visual statement and at 6 feet by 4 feet it’s probably the most striking image in the show. But you’ll have to come down and decide for yourself!

Toronto acts as a conduit for so many different cultures-and that makes for a seriously interesting music scene. Of all the influences of the time (punk, reggae, new wave) what do you think made the most lasting impression on the city?
Reggae, as it’s centered in the very deep rooted West Indian community and over the decades has continued to thrive as a musical influence in the Toronto cultural scene.