Since it came out in 1979, Trooper's Hot Shots has been one of
the biggest-selling albums in Canadian music history. It has gone
six times platinum, and sells consistently, as do tickets to Trooper gigs.
~ Bob Mersereau, "The Top 100 Canadian Albums"
2012 is already rockin'
Trooper's 2012 schedule is filling up with excellent shows right across the country. Although many of the events are holding off on public announcements until closer to their show dates, we can tell you that Trooper will be playing many major exhibitions, festivals, and concerts this touring season. To see their schedule unfolding in real time, check the up-to-date tour schedule here.
2011's "No Shitty Gigs" tour was Trooper's best ever. To see a photographic record of last year's shows, click here.
2011's "No Shitty Gigs" tour was Trooper's best ever. To see a photographic record of last year's shows, click here.
Rick Mercer Raises a Little Hell at PCVS
The 2012 season finale of CBC's The Rick Mercer Report featured Rick visiting the Peterborough Collegiate & Vocational School, outstanding winners of his Spread the Net Student Challenge - an effort to raise money to provide 25,000 bed nets to families living in malaria-endemic Guinea, West Africa. Rick and the students "Raise a Little Hell" over threats of the school's closure. Watch the full episode online here. The "Raise a Little Hell" segment starts at about 13:29.
connect
[When asked for favourite Trooper songs] You just can't ask to pick 3 song from the best play list we ever heard. Play them all .. if you play we will come.
~ twitter fan
I'm proud to say I'm getting alot of people here in Phoenix, AZ. hooked on Trooper..You's rock!
~ facebook fan
Raise a Little Hell played twice in 2 bars within a hour. THIS is Canadiana!
~ twitter fan
Took my gf (she's 51) to her FIRST rock concert and I'm glad it was Trooper. You guys still rock ! Thanks, we had a great evening. :-)
~ facebook fan
There are not enough words to describe the incredible time I had with my very own pretty lady last night, you guys raised more than a little hell. Thank you so much for such a wonderful, energetic show.
~ facebook fan
recent news and events
Congratulations to Canada's famous BBQ Chef Ted Reader on the release of his newest book, "Beerlicious: The Art of Grillin' & Chillin'". Ted names Trooper as his favourite Canadian rock band, and he's even been working on a "Raise a Little Hell" hot sauce that lives up to the name. So when it was time for this book, he reached out to Trooper, who happily reached back. It includes a note from Ra McGuire, and a recipe for General Hand Grenade Steaks with Kaboom Butter, the initial idea for which came from Trooper's Tour Manager, Paul Cloutier, who is a big fan of Ted's. "Beerlicious" can be found in stores and online. (link)
A new docu-soap TV series called Grand Benders, filmed in Grand Bend ON, premieres May 8th and will use a remix of Trooper's "We're Here for a Good Time", done by Robby Riggs, for the theme. (website)
Trooper would like to sincerely thank BC media superstars Red Robinson, Terry David Mulligan, Stirling Faux, Joe Leary, Tom Lucas, Dave Chesney, and Stu Ferguson for lobbying the powers-that-be to induct Trooper into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (not to be confused with the Canadian *WALK* of Fame, for which voting ended a few days ago).
They've started a petition, which we invite all Trooper fans to sign. It can be found online here. (petition)
They've started a petition, which we invite all Trooper fans to sign. It can be found online here. (petition)
Congratulations to our own Clayton Hill, whose solo album was chosen as CD of the Week by the Vancouver Province! (link)
Congratulations to Trooper's Ra McGuire and his wife, Debbie, who have been recognized "for inspiring cultural harmony and championing the arts in education". The couple will receive the World Harmony Run Torch Bearer Award. Pretty impressive considering previous recipients include Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Mikhail Gorbachev and Mother Theresa! (White Rock hell-raiser inspires 'a little bit of peace' - Peace Arch News)
Popular HGTV TV series "Decked Out", with host Paul Lafrance, is using a slightly revised version of Trooper's "Raise a Little Hell" for their show theme, with the lyrics changed to "Raise a little deck".
Terry David Mulligan (mentioned here only days ago) has stepped up in support of Trooper's induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with a tweet this morning referencing the impassioned White Rock Sun story below. @TDMulligan "Hey! Canadian Music Hall of Fame - why is Trooper NOT in the Hall. Come ON" (follow TDMulligan on Twitter)
The White Rock Sun, the digital 'paper of record' in Ra McGuire's beloved hometown, has made a compelling case for Trooper's induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
CBC's Jian Ghomeshi Takes Issue With Trooper Cat Headline
"It may have been the headline of the day, or the week, or... ever. Here's the headline, ready? 'Rock Band Trooper Sends Care Package to Injured Cat.' Admit it, you love it. Ya know, before we get to the story, just a little nitpick. 'Rock band Trooper'? C'mon. Little too descriptive. Because in the minds of any Canadian, there's only one 'Trooper' - Ra McGuire, Brian Smith and the boys - those giants of late '70s Canrock that just keep rocking. 'Trooper' is all you really need to say."
Listen to Jian's very entertaining opening "Q" essay here, including his advice to the cats of Canada.
"It may have been the headline of the day, or the week, or... ever. Here's the headline, ready? 'Rock Band Trooper Sends Care Package to Injured Cat.' Admit it, you love it. Ya know, before we get to the story, just a little nitpick. 'Rock band Trooper'? C'mon. Little too descriptive. Because in the minds of any Canadian, there's only one 'Trooper' - Ra McGuire, Brian Smith and the boys - those giants of late '70s Canrock that just keep rocking. 'Trooper' is all you really need to say."
Listen to Jian's very entertaining opening "Q" essay here, including his advice to the cats of Canada.
"Rock band Trooper sends care package to injured cat". That was the headline that caught the eye of CTV's Canada AM national news. Host (and Trooper fan) Jeff Hutcheson spoke on-air with Gwen Samms, the president of SCAPA (the Society for the Care and Protection of Animals) via phone to learn about "Trooper the Cat's" new relationship with "Trooper the Band". (read more)
"Vancouver's Most Awesome: Terry David Mulligan" is a very fitting title for this interview/article about the legendary music journalist (and really good pal).
In it, Mulligan is quoted, "You know one of my favourite bands, absolutely flat out one of my favourite bands, was Trooper. 'Cuz they knew how to write a rock 'n' roll hook. And they nailed it every time. All those hits that they've got, you hear them in any NHL rink all across the country? Cool, very cool." Thanks, TDM! (full article)
In it, Mulligan is quoted, "You know one of my favourite bands, absolutely flat out one of my favourite bands, was Trooper. 'Cuz they knew how to write a rock 'n' roll hook. And they nailed it every time. All those hits that they've got, you hear them in any NHL rink all across the country? Cool, very cool." Thanks, TDM! (full article)
The Wrecking Crew was a group of west coast studio musicians who played on hits for many of the top acts of the '60s. A documentary tells their story in a "wonderful, touching and hilarious film" (Elvis Costello). Trooper's Ra McGuire was asked to host a Q&A with filmmaker Denny Tedesco at an upcoming fundraiser screening of the documentary on Sunday April 15th. Sadly Ra won't be able to host, but he encourages Vancouver area folks to attend the event and support the film, and fans everywhere to check it out when the opportunity comes to their local. (more info)
CBC TV series Arctic Air used Trooper's "Raise A Little Hell" several times throughout episode 107 - VANCOUVER IS SUCH A SCREWED-UP CITY. (watch)
Airborne 11 mashes-up Trooper's 'We're Here for a Good Time' with Bedouin Sound Clash's 'When the Night Hears My Song' ... live, in-flight, on a plane. (Video here)
Congratulations to band brother Clayton Hill who has just launched his new website for his new album! Go check it out: claytonhillmusic.com!
Edmonton's up! 99.3 hosted a musical tournament all summer "to determine the ultimate feel good song" based entirely on listeners' votes by phone and online. Trooper's 'Here For A Good Time' was declared the winner after beating out finalist 'Summer of 69' (Bryan Adams). HFAGT defeated 'Walk of Life' (Dire Straits), 'Beat It' (Michael Jackson), and 'Twist & Shout' (Beatles), among other popular songs, to get into the final. (link)
While in Moncton, NB, Trooper was surprised by fan and wood-burning artist Wanda MacKenzie when she and her friends presented the band with a very unique gift. Click + to see it. (read more)
Trooper's 2011 touring season saw sold out and record crowds across the country. Here's a news clip about their Surrey BC Canada Day show:
Surrey celebrates in 'phenomenal' fashion
Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts raised a little hell at the city's Canada Day party. "I've found a new career as a backup singer for Trooper," Watts quipped... (read more)
Surrey celebrates in 'phenomenal' fashion
Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts raised a little hell at the city's Canada Day party. "I've found a new career as a backup singer for Trooper," Watts quipped... (read more)
John The Rock Doctor interviewed Ra McGuire about the "Hits From 10 Albums" release, band history, lesser known album tracks, and much more. The resulting excellent, in-depth interview has been posted in its entirety at Gonzo Online. Go read it here! (link)
While in Halifax, Ra McGuire had fun geeking-out on music, Apple and the tech world in general with tech savant, writer, and musician Jim Dalrymple, also Editor in Chief of LoopInsight. Here is Jim's article about two nights hanging with the Trooper boys. "New and old bands could learn a lot from Trooper on how to put on a successful concert." (link)
Elvis Costello, Don Cherry and now... Trooper's Ra McGuire sings at the Stanley Cup 2011 Game One (link)
"If i was in charge of debates there would be red carpet & kleig lights. Also Ron James would warm up the crowd and Trooper would close (To ensure the audience stays)" ~ Rick Mercer (@rickmercer) tweets during April 12th Federal Election debate
"The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car" has been named one of the Top 10 Canadian car tunes by The Globe & Mail. (article)
Trooper kicks off the new touring season with a show on the Caribbean island of Curacao, after which they'll stay on to enjoy a short holiday in the tropical sun before they head out to raise a little hell across Canada. (more)
A Trooper song is in "Drive Angry 3D", a supernatural action film released February 25, 2011 starring Nicolas Cage. The director is quoted: "That Trooper song ['Raise a Little Hell'] was perfect. We played it for our producer, Michael De Luca, and he was like, 'That song's awesome!'" (article)
In the summer of 2009, Academy Award-winning director John Zaritsky and producer Montana Berg approached Trooper about featuring "We're Here for a Good Time" in a significant scene of their documentary, LEAVE THEM LAUGHING, "a musical comedy about dying" and real life story of the talented and indomitable Carla Zilbersmith. After viewing a rough six minute clip of the film, the band was instantly on board, pledging their active support of the film.
The documentary has been making the film festival circuit, winning awards and getting rave reviews along the way, and has now been nominated for a Genie Award, Canada's most prestigious theatrical honour. Trooper sends their congratulations to John, Montana, and Maclen!
The documentary has been making the film festival circuit, winning awards and getting rave reviews along the way, and has now been nominated for a Genie Award, Canada's most prestigious theatrical honour. Trooper sends their congratulations to John, Montana, and Maclen!
A high school in Melville, Sask posted a lipdub of "We're Here for Good Time" on YouTube and prompted a CBC story on "The Afternoon Edition". (video)
"One Life No Regrets" is a documentary from filmmaker Patrick Stark who interviews Trooper's Ra McGuire and other artists to find out what it's like to sing. Watch the movie trailer.
"The band and the crowd were drenched, there was steam rising off the audience and you couldn't have wiped the grins off everyone's faces with a Louisville Slugger." - White Rock Sun (article)
William Shatner Raises a Little Hell at the Junos
Canada's favourite Star Trek captain "sang" a rousing version of Trooper's 'Raise a Little Hell' to open the 2012 Juno Awards. The song closed a 5-song medley that also included hits by Bryan Adams, Steppenwolf, BTO and Rush. Check it out here (Trooper at 8:23). (Photo: Wanye Cuddington / Postmedia News Service)
May 25 - Sherwood Park AB - closed private event
May 26 - undisclosed private - undisclosed at b
June 01 - High Prairie AB - Sports Palace
June 22 - Inuvik NT - Midnight Sun Recreation Ce
June 23 - Inuvik NT - Midnight Sun Recreation Ce
June 30 - Daysland AB - Memorial Arena
July 01 - Vernon BC - Funtastic Festival
Details on these and additional Trooper shows here.
terri clark - here for a good time
CCMA Female Artist of the Year performs "We're Here for a Good Time" at national awards. Track hits 
best summer tour ... ever
Trooper band and crew at Kelowna BC airport heading home after the last show of a hugely successful Summer 2011 tour. (larger image) 
Raise a Little Hell - Big Band Style
Is this the best cover ever done of "Raise a Little Hell"? We think it's definitely a contender! And with horns, fiddle, and combat boots, no less! Jet Stream is not what you'd imagine a Royal Canadian Air Force Band to be. Check out this rockin' arrangement of "Hell" they played on Winnipeg Breakfast Television with BT Host Drew Kozub. 
"So what happens next? Politics, that's what. At this juncture, with our imaginary record contract in the balance, anything could happen. At one extreme, the whole adventure could end in a Commitments-worthy stalemate, possibly concluding with a drunken Irish fist fight."
"The gig was super high energy, my favorite quote of the night was: 'people here don't usually go ape-shit like that' "
gogo's fotos
Trooper fans "Here for a Good Time" at Trooper's Dauphin Countryfest show in Dauphin Manitoba 
Trailer Park Boys sing Raise a Little Hell [VIDEO]
(video) 
