J.P. Côté

Jean-Pierre (J.P.) Côté was the original life-giver to the band as he christened them The Gutterboys based on a name he had been mulling over for years. He originally met Patrick Calnan and Rick Bugatsch one summer many years ago when the three worked at a local lumberyard. A musical connection was quickly made with collaboration and songwriting ensuing. This formed the creative stew from which The Gutterboys was born.

J.P. subconsciously played the Ring Leader and Master of Ceremonies for the band to perfection. As guitarist and vocalist, he provided a commanding presence onstage in addition to giving the audience "sweat for everyone" in order to demonstrate his exertions. His own unique style of imagery and eclecticism gave The Gutterboys a type of near-genius that was hard to duplicate. Indeed, J.P. rarely sang the same words twice to even his own original compositions! J.P. (along with Todd Snelgrove) went on to form another successful Ottawa band - Bob Loblaw - that lasted several years. His participation in bands has diminished over the years but his creativity and musical talent definitely has not.