Wanka

Wanka were a Canadian hard-rock band from Toronto that released The Orange Album on Axe Records in 1977.

Members: Chris Gibb (bass, vocals), Mike McConnell (drums), Mark Pickett (rhythm guitar, vocals), Howard Samuel (lead guitar, vocals), Doug Paul Smith (keyboards, vocals)

Wanka was formed in the early 1970s by two English transplants on the Toronto scene: bassist Chris Gibb and guitarist Mark Prickett. Rounded out by three local musicians, the band worked the Ontarian bar circuit. They signed to Axe in late 1976 and released The Orange Album in 1977. It features seven originals, mostly written by Gibb, Prickett, and lead guitarist Howard Samuel. The songs include “Get Ahead,” “Wrong Door,” “Say No More,” and “I Want You (By My Side).” The album was produced by Terry Brown (Rush, Klaatu, Max Webster, BB Gabor). In 2007, the album was given a 30th anniversary reissue with five live bonus tracks.

Discography:

• The Orange Album (1977)

Sources:

• Canadian Bands: Wanka