Out on the Lunatic Fringe Trivia Quiz

Answer: out there

"Lunatic Fringe - I know you're out there"

In 1978, Tom Cochrane (lead vocals), Rob Baker (drums), Jeff Jones (bass), Peter Boynton (keyboards) and Ken Greer (guitar) got together and formed the group Red Rider. Their first album, "Don't Fight It', was released in 1980 by Capitol Records.

Answer: holding meetings

"You're in hiding, and you hold your meetings"

"Lunatic Fringe" was the hit song from Red Rider's second album, "As Far As Siam", released in 1981. The album was produced by Richard Landis and Michael James Jackson. Two other songs from the album were used on the television programme, "Miami Vice", which helped promote the album.

Answer: coming

"I can hear you coming, and I know what you're after"

Red Rider's third album, "Neruda", was released in 1983. By this point, Steve Sexton had replaced Peter Boynton on keyboards.

Answer: laughter

"We're wise to you this time we won't let you kill the laughter, wise to you this time"

Their next album was 1984's "Breaking Curfew". Steve Sexton hadn't lasted long in the band, and the keyboardist on this album was John Webster. The album didn't meet expectations, resulting in a split with Capitol Records.

Answer: Star Spangled Banner

"Lunatic Fringe - in the twilight's last gleaming"

It was a direct quote from the American national anthem - "The Star Spangled Banner". I can't speak for the rest of you, but when I first heard the song, that was the only phrase I understood...

In 1986 the band had signed with RCA, changed its name to Tom Cochrane and Red Rider and released an album with that as its title. The following year, Capitol Records released a compilation CD with the hits from the band's earlier albums.

Answer: open season

"This is open season, but you won't get too far"

Two years later, in 1988, the album "Victory Day" was released. One song was about hockey, and was used in a television special about the sport.

Answer: their own confusion

"'Cause you got to blame someone for your own confusion"

In 1989 Red Rider worked with the Edmonton Symphony to record their final album, "The Symphony Sessions". Shortly after its release, Red Rider disbanded.

Answer: final solution

"We're all on guard this time against the Final Solution, all on guard this time"

Okay, the 'bad moon rising' is a steal from Creedence Clearwater... but it fits...

Tom Cochrane wrote "Lunatic Fringe" after reading about Raoul Wallenberg, the man who saved thousands of Jews during World War II. Cochrane was concerned with the growth of anti-Semite feelings in the 1970s - it's the neo-Nazis and skinheads who are his 'lunatic fringe" (what many would consider quite a polite description of them).

Answer: footsteps

"We can hear you coming no, you're not going to win this time
We can hear you coming not gonna win
We can hear the footsteps out along the walkway
We can hear the footsteps out along the walkway
them play"

Apart from being the only Red Rider song regularly played on radio, the song was featured in one movie, "Vision Quest" and one episode each of two television programmes, "Miami Vice" and "My Name is Earl".

Answer: resistance, thunder

"Lunatic Fringe - we all know you're out there
Can you feel the resistance?
Can you feel the thunder"

In addition to the band members, studio musicians on the album "As Far As Siam" were Peter Wolf on synthesizers, Jai Winding on keyboards and George Doering on guitar. Charlie Celello did the string arrangements on the track, "Ships".