Doug and the Slugs

Doug and the Slugs are a Canadian new-wave/power-pop band based in Vancouver. The group was formed in 1977 and was most active throughout the 1980s. They are best remembered for the Canadian top 40 hits "Too Bad", "Makin' it Work" and "Tomcat Prowl". "Too Bad" was used as the theme song for The Norm Show, a 1999-2001 sitcom starring Norm Macdonald.

Doug and The Slugs was founded by Toronto-born Doug Bennett, who would be the band's chief songwriter, frontman and lead singer. After some turnover amongst Slugs in the early months, the lineup stabilized by 1978, and for the entirety of their recording career, Doug & The Slugs consisted of lead vocalist Doug Bennett, guitarists Richard Baker and John Burton, keyboardist Simon Kendall, bassist Steve Bosley and drummer John "Wally" Watson.

Their debut single "Too Bad" was issued in February 1980, and became a substantial hit in Vancouver. Shortly thereafter, the track entered the Canadian hit parade, peaking at #20. Doug & The Slugs self-produced debut album, Cognac & Bologna was also issued in 1980.

Throughout the 1980s, a string of singles and albums followed. Their biggest success was 1982's Music For The Hard Of Thinking, which in Canada peaked at #22, and spun off two top 40 singles: "Who Knows How To Make Love Stay" and "Makin' it Work". However, the band did not break through internationally after the release of the best-of compilation Ten Big Ones.

Two more Doug & The Slugs albums were issued with 1984's Popaganda and 1988's Tomcat Prowl as well as a Doug Bennett solo album. The 1988 single "Tomcat Prowl" became the band's final top 40 entry, peaking at #23.

Doug & The Slugs' final album, Tales From Terminal City, was released in 1992 and came out on their own label. It is the only Doug & The Slugs album not to have hit the Canadian charts.

Most of the Slugs left the band after 1992 and Bennett toured with an ever-rotating cast of new musicians, still billing the act as Doug & The Slugs. The original Slugs reunited to back Doug for two "25th anniversary" shows in Vancouver in 2003; Bennett continued to perform with other Slugs until his death, in October 2004.

After a gap of several years, the original Slugs reunited in 2009 and invited singer Ted Okos to be their new frontman. The group still performs live dates as Doug & The Slugs.