CONEY
HATCH

Formed in Toronto in 1980, Coney Hatch took its name from the infamous psychiatric hospital in Muswell Hill, a suburb of London, U.K. (spelled Colney Hatch). Bassist Andy Curran’s parents had lived near the hospital before emigrating to Canada and showed Andy the site while visiting their hometown in 1979.

In 1981, an ad was placed in the Toronto Star seeking a singer/guitarist to join a working band with management. Singer/guitarist Carl Dixon answered the call, joining Andy, drummer Dave Ketchum, and guitarist Steve Shelski. Together, they went on to release their Kim Mitchell–produced debut album Coney Hatch in 1982, which was certified Gold in Canada.

The record resonated throughout the rock world and launched the group’s career to fans around the globe. Over the years, Coney Hatch has shared stages with some of rock’s biggest names, including Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Edgar Winter, Cheap Trick, and spent lengthy stints opening for Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.

In 2014, the Hatch lineup evolved with the addition of lead guitarist Sean Kelly (Lee Aaron, Nelly Furtado, Crash Kelly), and has remained unchanged since. Coney Hatch toured with Steve Harris’s British Lion in 2018 and returned home to Toronto to perform at the legendary El Mocambo.

The band followed that up by capturing a high-octane live show recorded in Europe titled Postcard from Germany.

That release also featured two new studio tracks — “Heaven’s on the Other Side” and the single “It’s About a Girl.” Over 40 years later, Coney Hatch is still going strong.