Lucas was born and raised in Regina but moved to Kelowna after high school to study engineering and ended up staying there. In 2019, he recalls, him and two other “scallywags” met at a metal show and formed a prog rock band called Pharm. In October, Pharm released their debut album Vortex. Below are six tracks Lucas says altered his life. /Gregory Beatty

“Night Prowler”
AC/DC, Highway to Hell (1979)

I first heard AC/DC when I was 10 years old. Before this, let’s just say what I listened to was a lot softer. Hearing their gut-kicking rock pulled me into a new world. Things would never be the same after that. YouTube

“2112”
Rush, 2112 (1976)

This song was written by three dorky Canadian guys and is about 20-minutes long. It’s a story about a distant planet at a distant time where a man finds a guitar and tries to change a tyrannical and oppressive class of ruling people. It’s nerdy and awesome and musically brilliant, and there was no better time to discover it than when I was a high school dork, sitting in my dorky friend’s parents’ basement. I still listen to it all the time. YouTube

“Zoom Club”
Budgie, In for the Kill (1974)

Budgie was this little three-piece band from Wales that never got the recognition they deserved. Their songs are a perfect blend of heaviness, melody, complexity and fun. This tune starts out slow, chugging along like an old rusty piece of machinery firing up for the first time in 100 years. And once it starts, there’s no stopping it. YouTube

“Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”
Primus, Tales from the Punchbowl (1995)

When I listen to Primus, it feels like there is some horrible disgusting monster residing in my stomach, making it twist and turn… and I never want that monster to leave! Seriously, these guys are so bizarre, funny and stinky with Les Claypool leading the fold on vocals and bass. Massive inspiration for my own playing. YouTube

“Gumboot Cloggeroo”
Stompin’ Tom Connors, Stompin’ Tom At The Gumboot Cloggeroo (1977)

Curveball time: I Love Stompin’ Tom! He’s more Canadian than a goose shotgunning a can of maple syrup. Such an incredible songwriter. Let’s raise the flag, crack open a Moosehead lager and salute this absolute legend. YouTube

“Orbiting the Vortex”
Pharm, Vortex (2022)

How could this not be one of the tunes to alter my life?! I spent the past few years recording this one and it’s the culmination and inspiration from the entries that came before it on this list. YouTube ■