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16 sweet things you might not know about our newest columnist, Grant Lawrence

Radio host, musician and author resurrects his ‘Vancouver Shakedown’ column

 Grant Lawrence’s weekly “Vancouver Shakedown” column returns thanks to a multi-team deal involving the Courier, Vancouver is Awesome and a yet-to-be-determined third round draft pick.Grant Lawrence’s weekly “Vancouver Shakedown” column returns thanks to a multi-team deal involving the Courier, Vancouver is Awesome and a yet-to-be-determined third round draft pick.

For a man with such a lustrous head of hair, Grant Lawrence wears many hats — lead singer of Vancouver garage rock institution the Smugglers, CBC radio host and author of three nonfiction books (Adventures in Solitude, Lonely End of the Rink and Dirty Windshields). For years, he also wrote the beloved “Vancouver Shakedown” column for the sadly defunct Westender newspaper. Now, Lawrence and his weekly musings have returned to the fold, thanks to multi-team deal involving the Courier, Vancouver is Awesome and a yet-to-be-determined third round draft pick.

Prior to submitting his comeback column, Lawrence talked to the Courier about wool garments, the benefits of dishwashing and how he’d fare in a fight with his bandmates.

You are known for your CBC logo-emblazoned Cowichan sweater. How many do you own?

Two. The original CBC one, which I’ve worn in all 10 provinces and all three territories. And the company in Richmond, a little mom and pop knitting company, knitted me a Mr. Dressup-, Beachcombers-era sleeveless Cowichan vest, which is bright blue and orange and red. So I wear that one in the summer time.

 Grant Lawrence has worn his iconic CBC Cowichan sweater in all 10 provinces and all three territories. The sleeveless Cowichan vest we'll leave up to your imagination... - Grant Lawrence / FacebookGrant Lawrence has worn his iconic CBC Cowichan sweater in all 10 provinces and all three territories. The sleeveless Cowichan vest we’ll leave up to your imagination… – Grant Lawrence / Facebook

What was your first job in which you received a paycheque?

My dad is a strict conservative and he instilled a strong work ethic in me. So I’ve been working steadily since age 14. I’ve never been unemployed… My first job ever was dishwasher at the Big Scoop restaurant in Horseshoe Bay — me and Nick Thomas of the Smugglers. He bought a Les Paul guitar and I bought a ’62 Valiant with our savings from the job — both were $500. We worked the dish pit in there for $3.65 an hour.

 Grant's first job was as a dishwasher at the Big Scoop restaurant in Horseshoe Bay.Grant’s first job was as a dishwasher at the Big Scoop restaurant in Horseshoe Bay.

If you weren’t a broadcaster, writer and musician, what line of work would you be in?

I’ve always loved movies and I’ve always loved storytelling… and I’ve never been that good of an actor, so I always thought I’d be a screenwriter.

What was your first car?

That ’62 Plymouth Valiant. White, red interior, with a set of bull horns on the hood. Its nickname was the Frosty Bull and it was the terror of the North Shore.

Is it true you once owned a Cabriolet convertible?

Yes. I’ve owned a lot of convertibles… I received a lot of sexist remarks over that car.

In recent memory, what is the longest amount of time you’ve gone without bathing?

In the summer, when I’m up in Desolation Sound, I’ve probably gone two weeks without applying soap to my body.

What is the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I’m a picky eater so when we went to Spain with the Smugglers I thought most of what they were serving us was gross… So finally one night they served us nachos and I was like, finally, took you long enough. And I’m biting on the nacho and the nacho will not break… but turns out what I was eating was a pig’s ear.

Do you follow any exercise regime?

I try to do 120 push ups a day at home. But my main source of exercising is cycling to and from work.

Do you have any dietary restrictions?

I’ve learned that I have to avoid any rich chocolate dessert because that will come out the other end within 20 minutes. Violently. Extreme duress.

If the current lineup of the Smugglers were to fight each other, how would you rank the outcome?

[Drummer] Graham number one because he’s from Nanaimo. Then [guitarist] Dave because he’s so big and strong. Then [guitarist] Nick. Four, me, and then five, [bass player] Beez. I think I could pound him. But the Smugglers have never physically fought each other, and I’m proud of that.

 Of the five Smugglers in his band, Grant decided he could only beat bass player Kevin Of the five Smugglers in his band, Grant decided he could only beat bass player Kevin “Beez” Beesley in a fight.

Who’s the biggest celebrity you’ve hung out with and/or seen naked?

I met Christopher Walken in Florida, we talked about the movie The Milagro Beanfield War, which he was in and I liked quite a bit. I’ve physically touched David Lettermen. I’ve met Jay Leno… The naked one, I’d have to say my wife, [singer-songwriter Jill Barber].

Who would you like to see play you in the movie of your life?

Jude Law.

What’s the last book you’ve read?

I’m currently reading Rowing the Northwest Passage by Kevin Vallely. The book I have on tap is the Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga.

What the last piece of music you purchased?

I just bought a bunch of records the other day at Red Cat on Hastings. Bahamas’ new album called Earthtones and First Aid Kit’s new one.

Do you collect anything unusual?

I used to collect a lot of things, but once I got married my wife put a stop to most of the collecting. I used to collect salt shakers, old trophies, records, hockey memorabilia… At this point the only thing I still collect is vinyl LPs.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I’ve never tasted coffee. The beverage of coffee has never crossed my lips. I’ve never liked the smell… And it could have been because when I was a kid, smoking went hand in hand with coffee. And when I was working at Big Scoop I had to deal with a lot of coffee cups filled with cigarette butts, which might have something to do with it.

mkissinger@vancourier.com

@midlifeman1