Monroe men part of Brussel Sprout band in 1970s

Tom Adamich
·3 min read
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Monroe resident John Vass is a talented musician who, along with other Monroe-area and Downriver musicians, popularized '70s country/rock music that was often compared to the Eagles and Poco.

According to the Radio Vickers website, Vass and fellow band member Tom Treece were members of the appropriately named local group Custer’s Last Band Manning. Vass, who played both guitar and drums as well as carrying out vocal duties, worked with Treece, who focused primarily on vocals and rhythm guitar.

Brussel Sprout was a Monroe-based band formed in the 1970s that had some success in the region and in Canada. Its debut album cover was designed by band member Don Perrish.
Brussel Sprout was a Monroe-based band formed in the 1970s that had some success in the region and in Canada. Its debut album cover was designed by band member Don Perrish.

It was through the efforts of Allen Park-based high school friends Don Perrish and Ken Lush that what eventually became the band Brussel Sprout was launched. Perrish served as the lead guitar and performed vocals, and Lush brought his piano and flute skills to the group, that also included Jeff Benjamin on bass and Denny Moses. Moses was versed in multiple instruments, including the fiddle, congas and drums. The group began to meld and start recording home demos on a farm near Monroe; hence the group’s farm-based name (they briefly performed as The Amazing Vibrasonics prior to laying down their initial demo tracks).

The back cover of the Brussel Sprout album features band members Tom Treece, John Vass, Don Perrish, Ken Lush, Jeff Benjamin and Denny Moses. The album, recorded in 1975 at Toronto’s famous Eastern Sound Studio, was released in 1976.
The back cover of the Brussel Sprout album features band members Tom Treece, John Vass, Don Perrish, Ken Lush, Jeff Benjamin and Denny Moses. The album, recorded in 1975 at Toronto’s famous Eastern Sound Studio, was released in 1976.

Brussel Sprout began to become known in the region, playing throughout the local area and in southern Ontario. It was during a Canadian show in Essex, Ontario (near Windsor), that they caught the eye of a booking agent who expanded their performance area east into Niagara Falls/Buffalo and Toronto. This prompted the band to relocate temporarily to Jordan, Ontario (near St. Catharines to the east and Pelham to the south). It was at a show at the popular El Mocambo Tavern and Music Venue on Spadina Avenue just south of College Street in Toronto that caught the eye of Eastern Sound Studio’s producer Hilly Leopard and opened the door for a possible recording deal.

The El Mocambo Tavern in Toronto continues to be a popular music venue in the city. Monroe’s Brussel Sprout band performed there and launched their brief recording career as a result.
The El Mocambo Tavern in Toronto continues to be a popular music venue in the city. Monroe’s Brussel Sprout band performed there and launched their brief recording career as a result.

The Eastern Sound Studio was one of the most active regional studios in the region, having been founded in 1959 in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood and was the recording home of Bruce Cockburn, Isaac Hayes, Cat Steven and Elton John – who recorded his landmark 1976 album "Blue Moves" there. Brussel Sprout would record three demos at the Eastern Sound Studio (which today is honored with a historical marker), and the group would eventually be signed by MCA Records.

The self-titled album, recorded in 1975, featured in this article included single records such as “Dance She Said" and several tracks were released only in Canada, qualifying the group as Canadian in the market due to the fact that the recordings took place there. When the album was released in 1976 (along with another single “High in the Rockies”), the group hoped that commercial success would follow. Unfortunately, that was not to be.

The River Raisin Centre for the Arts has contributed to Monroe’s arts community since the Art Deco-designed Monroe Theater (built in 1938) was saved from the wrecking ball by community supporters, including Brussel Sprout band member Tom Treece. Treece also served as the publicity chairman for the RRCA.
The River Raisin Centre for the Arts has contributed to Monroe’s arts community since the Art Deco-designed Monroe Theater (built in 1938) was saved from the wrecking ball by community supporters, including Brussel Sprout band member Tom Treece. Treece also served as the publicity chairman for the RRCA.

After Brussel Sprout disbanded, members went on to other pursuits. Perrish became the owner of a Michigan-based construction company. Lush moved to Nashville and continued his musical career with several bands in the region. Manning became a fifth grade teacher in Michigan and continued musical interests. Treece, a Monroe High graduate and 1968 MCCC graduate, continues to perform Christian music and is the founder of Guided Ministries (2013) and leader of the group Tom Treece and Crosspoint. Benjamin moved to Los Angeles and was controller for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Organizing Committee; he also led the Sony ImageSoft video division and had managed stars, including the late folk rock and jazz star Kenny Rankin.

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Vass formed Maz-n-Dad with his daughter Mazie over a decade ago. They have performed dynamic original music. He also recently performed frequently as Vass Majority and was a popular act at Luna Pier’s Chateau Louise and other venues.

— Tom Adamich is president of Visiting Librarian Service, a firm he has operated since 1993. He also is project archivist for the Greening Nursery Co. and Family Archives and the electric vehicle awareness coordinator at Monroe County Community College.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe men part of Brussel Sprout band in 1970s