File the Dayglo Abortions under controversial/metal/punk/alternative rock/for mature audiences only!
In 1988, a Nepean, Ont., police officer instigated a criminal investigation of the Dayglos after his daughter brought home a copy of Here Today, Guano Tomorrow.
Two albums featured in the resulting trial; the covers and the lyrical content being showcased by the prosecution. Here Today, Guano Tomorrow had a cover showing a picture of a hamster eating from a box of chocolates on nice satin sheets, along with a glass of wine. A gun points at the hamster, and the back cover shows a depiction of the resulting carnage.
The previous album, Feed Us A Fetus, was perhaps a little less graphic, with a depiction of a baked fetus on the table in front of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
This resulted in the criminal prosecution of Fringe Product, their label at the time, for distribution and possession with intent to distribute of obscene material — the first such prosecution since the offence entered the criminal code in 1959. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
You can catch the Dayglos this Friday at the Waverley Hotel in Cumberland and render your own verdict.
Showtime is at 10 p.m.
— Cumberland Village Works