The Northern Pikes, Odds and The Pursuit of Happiness
OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
Fallsview Casino Resort
Niagara Falls, Ontario
October 9, 2026
It was a night of familiar songs, great guitar riffs and plenty of nostalgia as three Canadian rock favourites took over the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls on Friday, October 9.
The Northern Pikes, Odds and The Pursuit of Happiness shared the bill, bringing together three bands that helped shape Canadian rock radio during the late 1980s and 1990s. Each had its own sound, but all three delivered songs that fans have enjoyed for decades.
The Pursuit of Happiness got things started, led by singer and guitarist Moe Berg. Joining him were guitarist Kris Abbott, bassist Brad Barker, drummer Dave Gilby and backing vocalist Renee Suchy.
The Toronto band opened with “Ten Fingers” before moving through songs such as “Two Girls in One,” “Hey Mary Anne” and “Consciousness Raising as a Social Tool.”
“She’s So Young” was one of the familiar highlights, bringing back memories of the band’s early success. They also pulled out “She’s the Devil,” a rare addition that hadn’t appeared on a reported setlist since 1997.
Berg and company kept things moving with “Walking in the Woods” and “Kalendar” before saving three of their biggest songs for the end.
“Hard to Laugh,” “Cigarette Dangles” and “I’m an Adult Now” closed their set. It was a strong finish and a reminder of how well those songs have held up over the years.
Vancouver rockers Odds were up next, featuring singer and guitarist Craig Northey, bassist Doug Elliott, guitarist Murray Atkinson and drummer Kurt Dahle.
Dahle has quite a history in Canadian rock. Along with playing in The Age of Electric and Limblifter with his brother Ryan Dahle, he spent years behind the drums with The New Pornographers. His work with those bands has made him a familiar name to fans of Canadian alternative rock.
Odds opened with “It Falls Apart” before moving into “Make You Mad,” “Satisfied” and “Eat My Brain.”
The band has always had a knack for writing catchy songs with clever, sometimes funny lyrics. That was clear throughout their set, which also included “King of the Heap,” “Nothing Beautiful” and “Not a Lot Goin’ On.”
They followed with three of their best-known songs, “Heterosexual Man,” “Truth Untold” and “Someone Who’s Cool.” It was a good run of hits from a band whose music remains easy to recognize after all these years.
The Odds set ended with a special moment that brought all three bands together.
Canadian rock singer Sass Jordan had originally been scheduled to perform but cancelled about six weeks earlier due to health reasons. Sadly, she passed away on October 2, just one week before the concert.
To honour her memory, members of The Pursuit of Happiness and The Northern Pikes joined Odds onstage for a performance of the Faces classic “Stay With Me.”
As the musicians played, a large picture of Jordan was displayed on the screen behind them. It was a touching tribute and a fitting way to remember a fellow Canadian musician who had been part of the rock scene for decades.
With the first two bands finished, it was time for the night’s headliners.
The Northern Pikes took the stage at 9:35 p.m., featuring singer and bassist Jay Semko, singer and guitarist Bryan Potvin and drummer Don Schmid.
Regular guitarist Kevin Kane, also known for his work with The Grapes of Wrath, was absent for this performance. Filling in on guitar was Michael McKenzie of Toronto rock band Lowest of the Low, who joined the longtime Pikes members for the evening.
The Saskatchewan band opened with “Hopes Go Astray” before moving into “King in His Castle,” “Wait for Me” and “Believe.”
Rather than jumping straight into their biggest hits, the Pikes worked through a mix of songs from different points in their career. It was a nice way to give fans something beyond the usual radio favourites.
One of the quieter moments came during “Worlds Away,” which Potvin and Semko performed as an acoustic number. The stripped-down version gave the song a different feel and offered a break from the louder material.
The full band returned for “Dream Away,” followed by “Teenland” and “Things I Do for Money.”
The latter two songs took things back to the band’s early days and their 1987 debut album, Big Blue Sky, which helped put The Northern Pikes on the Canadian music map.
From there, it was time for two of the songs that made the band a household name among Canadian rock fans.
“Girl with a Problem” and “She Ain’t Pretty,” both from 1990’s Snow in June, closed the main set. Their catchy melodies and memorable lyrics remain a big part of the band’s appeal.
For the encore, The Northern Pikes returned with a cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” It was a fitting choice to wrap up the evening, ending the show with one more familiar rock anthem.
What made the concert enjoyable was the chance to see three bands from the same era sharing one stage, each bringing something different to the night.
The Pursuit of Happiness delivered their sharp, guitar-driven pop-rock sound, with Moe Berg’s distinct voice leading the way. Odds brought their mix of catchy hooks and offbeat lyrics, backed by a group of musicians with plenty of experience. The Northern Pikes closed things out with the melodic rock songs that made them staples of Canadian radio.
There was certainly plenty of nostalgia, but the music was more than just a trip down memory lane. These songs have been around for decades, yet many still sound just as good today.
For longtime fans, it was a chance to hear a long list of favourites in one evening. For anyone who grew up with Canadian rock radio in the late ’80s and ’90s, there was no shortage of familiar tunes.
The tribute to Sass Jordan added a meaningful moment to the concert, while the three bands made sure the main focus remained on the music.
By the end of the night, The Northern Pikes, Odds and The Pursuit of Happiness had delivered a solid evening of Canadian rock, with plenty of hits, a few surprises and a reminder of just how much great music came out of that era.
Sometimes, a night filled with good songs and familiar faces is all you need.
The Pursuit of Happiness
- Ten Fingers
- Unknown song
- Two Girls in One
- Hey Mary Anne
- Consciousness Raising as a Social Tool
- She’s So Young
- She’s the Devil (first reported live performance since 1997)
- Walking in the Woods
- Kalendar
- Hard to Laugh
- Cigarette Dangles
- I’m an Adult Now
Odds
- It Falls Apart
- Make You Mad
- Satisfied
- Eat My Brain
- King of the Heap
- Nothing Beautiful
- Not a Lot Goin’ On (Craig Northey song)
- Heterosexual Man
- Truth Untold
- Someone Who’s Cool
- Stay With Me (Faces cover, performed with members of The Pursuit of Happiness and The Northern Pikes in tribute to Sass Jordan, with her picture displayed on the screen)
The Northern Pikes
- Hopes Go Astray
- King in His Castle
- Wait for Me
- Believe
- Worlds Away (acoustic, Bryan Potvin and Jay Semko)
- Dream Away
- Teenland
- Things I Do for Money
- Girl with a Problem
- She Ain’t Pretty
Encore
- I Won’t Back Down (Tom Petty cover)
All photos by Joel Naphin
©2026. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
The Pursuit of Happiness:
Odds:
Tribute To Sass Jordan featuring Odds with members of TPOH and The Northern Pikes:
The Northern Pikes:
