Allen recorded an album’s worth of material with his backing band Food Clothes and Shelter before emigrating to Canada. Unfortunately Fisherman is the only track that survived after a basement flood in Toronto tragically destroyed his other master tapes.
In 1986 he self-released Fisherman in his new home Toronto on his Ponko Dread label, hand distributing it to local record stores and sound systems.
Perhaps it was too ahead of its time — or too unusual, with its dirge-like synth and deep roots lyrics — but Fisherman was largely overlooked until a few copies emerged around 5 years ago, becoming coveted grails by European digi collectors with deep pockets.
Shella Records located Peter Allen who lives east of Toronto where he drives a school bus and still loves to sing.