THE STORY
In the spirit of rock ‘n roll Santers delivers. Sleek, fast and loud. Hard-hitting – hard rock. Before their brand of melodic hard rock was considered mainstream, SANTERS paved the way forging together their melodic and progressive creations. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario this Canadian trio packs a heavy musical punch. Underrated, and under the radar, SANTERS’ music has been described by writer Martin Popoff as “an emotional jewel which pulsed and pumped insidiously to the depths of my brain in successful carving of a permanent home”.
From the basements of suburban Toronto to international stages, SANTERS began with classically trained brothers Rick Santers (lead vocals, guitars, keys) and Mark Santers (drums and vocals) jamming in their basement. They soon joined forces with jazz-influenced bassist Rick Lazaroff in 1979 and set their sights high. Their talents were first recognized when they won a contest sponsored by Toronto rock radio station Q107. Soon afterward, in 1981, their debut album Shot Down In Flames burst onto the international scene garnering numerous international releases. SANTERS kept increasing its momentum through a steady stream of hard rock gems including Mayday (EP 1982), Racing Time (1982), Guitar Alley (1984), Top Secrecy (1986/released 1998).
“Can’t Shake You” the video and single, received rotation on over 200 Rock Radio and TV stations across North America. SANTERS remake of Free’s classic “All Right Now” cracked the CHUM Top 40 reaching lucky #13 in Toronto. The band`s music continues to be released on new formats in countries around the world. The demand for SANTERS on CD was first realized in Germany on 1st Shot and 2nd Shot in 1995 on Long Island Records. In 1998 SANTERS experienced another incredible resurgence with the release of SANTERS lV – The Box Set on Avex Records in Japan. This rare collection of original masters featured the band’s three full-length studio albums plus unreleased bonus tracks. Also included was the band’s unreleased archived fourth album Top Secrecy. In 1999, Top Secrecy was also released in Germany on Point Music/AOR Heaven. Dandelion Records, the band’s record label, released a limited edition of Cold Fusion – Best of in 2002.
The SANTERS concert calendar over the years has brought them through Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe. The band is renowned for their exciting, high energy live shows, and their extensive touring over the years has led the way to headline performances. SANTERS has joined forces and performed concerts with other notable rock bands including; Ozzy Ozbourne, Blue Oyster Cult, Rick Derringer, Triumph, Johnny Winter, Golden Earing, Ratt, Accept and Kim Mitchell.
With the release of “The Definitive Remasters Collection” the band’s recordings can now be heard in the very best possible audio fidelity. It’s SANTERS like you’ve never heard them before. The Definitive Remasters Collection is truly a defining moment in the SANTERS legacy.
Thank you!
SANTERS would like to thank all those who’ve supported and continue to support our music. Especially our loyal and dedicated fans around the world.
A special thanks goes out the all the studio engineers and producers, recording studios, road crew, graphic artists, promoters, records labels, publishers, friends and family, opening acts and headlining acts who have helped out so much and walked with us along this journey.
We’d also especially like to thank the loyal fans and photographers who through their dedication to their art and love of music have shared their photos with us to be available here.
As we’ve received so many photos of the band through the years from various people we’d like to credit them. Notably, Phillip Kamin, Deborah Samuel, Marty Moffatt, Patrick Harbron, Scott Burns, Fred Moore, Sean Larkin, Rik’s Pics, Rockers Digest, KT-Rock United, JJ Photography, Dave Dickson, and heartfelt apologies to those we may have missed.