Peter Lynch and Ed Robertson gather in Pages bookstore to remember Ultrasound
PETER LYNCH is the director of Cyberman and Project Grizzly, one of the most successful Canadian documentaries of all time — and one referenced on The Simpsons. His varied background in arts, multimedia, new media and music videos made him a natural fit for City Sonic. His first film for the series was Tyler Stewart of the Barenaked Ladies at the now defunct Ultrasound Showbar.
LL: Give us your “”elevator ride”" pitch: the concept for your film in three sentences or less.
PL: Tyler Stewart of the Barenaked Ladies wants to return to the places where the band started but ends up in rock ‘n’ roll Heaven getting a facial, because the club has turned into a spa. Then he tried to find Speaker’s Corner and it’s not there anymore either so he goes busking on a suitcase on Queen Street where he got started.
LL: What was the biggest challenge shooting in this location?
PL: Well, neither location – Ultrasound or Speaker’s Corner – are there any more. I had to find a way to get the feeling, of how Tyler felt about them, and to capture that. Also I used the Queen Street of today to make a link between the past and the present. It’s changed dramatically.
LL: What did you learn about Tyler that surprised you?
PL: How much an actor he is. I’ve always known he was a very funny guy, but he’s a natural actor too. He would pick up a hairdryer and start using it as a microphone – a lot of people if they did that it would feel goofy. Also, when he was walking around Queen Street, he’s very well known but has a populous side. He’s really an Everyman.
LL: Do you have story about a favourite historic Toronto venue of your own?
PL: I saw Devo at the El Mocambo, just when they had their first hits. I got their early and was in the washroom and I looked over and there is [Devo’s] Mark Mothersbaugh at the stall, in his suit. So I said to him “Are we not men?” and he started singing back “We are Devo!” That was a nice little Toronto moment.
