From left to right the original band members consisted of Andy Piotrowski, Ken Melchin, Don Kroetsch, Rick Lauber, (Front Row) Jeff Billo, and Don Allen. Because we had two Don's in the band Don Allen took on the name Treb which is Bert spelled backwards and a much cooler name. We all attended Saint Jerome's High School, where the band was formed in 1965. We were in grade 10 at the time, except for Andy who was in grade 9. The name "Thanes" came from Shakespeare's MacBeth, which we studied that year. Just another name like Dukes or Earls or Regents or Barons.

We started practicing in the basement of Don Kroetsch's house on Manchester Road. His parents were EXTREMELY understanding, as our practices typically lasted from 7 until 11pm on Monday through Thursday nights, and on Sundays from 1 to 5 pm. After the first 6 months, when we weren't practicing or going to school, we were playing, most Friday and Saturday nights.

We concentrated on British flavoured material, with a bit of American influence. Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Small Faces, Zombies, Kinks, The Who, Everly Brothers and things like "Love Potion Number 9". Don Kroetsch even went so far as to have an English cousin send him albums released in England so that we could learn hit tunes before they were later released in Canada. We saw bellbottoms on English album covers and had them custom tailored for stage wear at TIP TOP tailors, over the protests of incredulous salesmen, before anyone had seen them in Kitchener.

Our first gig was at St. Teresa's parish hall for a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) dance, in November, 1965. We had learned about 20 songs, so of course there were a few 3rd set "requests" to repeat certain songs which we played better than others. Our fee was 30% of the door receipts - think they charged 25 cents to get in - and we took home the grand sum of $12.60 or $2.10 each !!!! Must have been about 168 paying customers.

We played a bunch more CYO dances around the city, plus HI-Y, and then high school dances in Kitchener. High schools out of town followed, and then club dates. A local promoter, Ross Marshall, signed us to a contract to manage and promote us. He arranged for "official" pictures. Ross was also involved with the C.O.E. (Canadian Ontario Exibition), where Randy Rollo use to play his Hammond B3 and Leslie for organ music in between the circus acts and hockey games.

The Beach Boys opener was a result of Ross Marshall's contacts. Many more-experienced local and area bands, including the Reefers (Jerry Doucette's original band) were severely miffed that we got that gig ahead of them, but it was a big boost for us. We had also opened for Gary Lewis (son of Jerry - hit was "This Diamond Ring") earlier that year, so our marketability soared. The band had reached a crossroads, as we needed to pursue music full-time to advance any farther, and there was severe parental resistance to dropping out of school for most of us. The band re-formed as "The New Sound of The Thanes".