Kaos

Now were going WAY back into the history of heavy metal here in Newfoundland. We're going back to the mid 80's. Some of you reading this were probably not even born or were VERY young when Kaos ruled Newfoundland. Well I wasn't very old myself...I was only 13 or 14 when the band made a name for themselves across the island. At the time, I lived in central NF so my first exposure to the band was when they did stadium tours across the island - once on their own and once as the opening act for the great Canadian metal band Helix! Can you imagine a hard rock / heavy metal band touring across the island today?? I can't!! Metal was quite a bit bigger back then I can tell you, even here in NF.

The main memory I have of this band is the band playing "March of the Gremlins" live. I remember the first time I saw them play that song...the stage was colorfully lit, fog was swirling and emerging from the mist was lead guitarist Rainer playing a British Flag guitar with his long blond hair and many a scarf and headband! As a 13 year old kid I was mesmerized in the front row! haha... Besides Rainer Wiechmann on guitars there was Sindi Wiechmann on vocals, Sandy Forbes on drums, Todd McLeod on rhythm and lead guitars, and Darrin Bruce on bass guitar. NF radio personality, Paul Kinsman, plays keys on one of the songs. The album credits also thank him and VOCM for their support of local music. I wonder if you called VOCM would they even dare play Kaos today? OR would they even WANT to support the local metal scene? Probably not....

The band recorded two albums. The first was called TOTAL KAOS and was released in 1984. The follow-up, entitled TV EYE, was released a few years later in 1987. The band made a video for the song "Summer Love" which was played on NTV and on MuchMusic. In 1988 the core of the band relocated to London, Ontario where Sindi and Rainer embarked on a new version of Kaos. After they left for the "mainlaind" I didn't hear a thing about Kaos. I guess there were not as successful with it as they had hoped because by 1992 the band ended.

Where Are They Now?

Rainer and Sindi still live in London Ontario. Rainer owns a studio called Mole Studio. Sindi sang in the group "Playn Jayne" which released an independent album (Electric Dreams 1994). As well, she and Rainer currently play with the band "Bat out of Hell" also based out of London Ontario. They are a Meatloaf tribute band believe it or not?!! What happened to the metal huh?? :-) You can look them up at www.batoutofhell.on.ca

Sandy is now a guitarist in a rock band around St. John's. Apparently they often play Sunday's at Rob Roy. Drop down and yell out "Play March of the Gremlins" - bet he'll get a laugh at that one!

Useless factoid 101: Sindi is Larry's (Eve, ex-Exorcist, ex-Devastator, etc.) sister! I have it on good word that this is indeed true!! Freaky! As well, Steve (bass player in Oberon) is related to drummer Sandy Forbes! Small world isn't it?!?!

Sindi Live in Grand Falls Stadium (1986)

Sindi and Rainer by tour bus (1987)
This tour bus actually belonged
to a group by the name of Gemini
who Kaos toured with in the mid-80's.