Keep Me Coming

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Keep Me Coming" by Sheriff from their self-titled album, firing up the Zoo Freaks in the audience. This track, a lesser-known gem from the 1982 album, is a slice of melodic rock with a driving beat, perfect for the Crew’s vibe. While not as famous as Sheriff’s chart-topping "When I’m with You," "Keep Me Coming" has its own cult charm. In a rare interview snippet from a 1980s Canadian radio session, vocalist Freddy Curci described the song as “a late-night jam we cooked up in the studio, fueled by coffee and a need to capture that restless, chasing-the-night energy.” The song’s lyrics, with their yearning edge, reflect the band’s knack for blending raw emotion with polished AOR hooks. Interestingly, a fan on a Facebook group for Alias (a later band formed by Sheriff members) shared a story about hearing "Keep Me Coming" at a Toronto club in ’82, claiming it was the “secret handshake” for Sheriff fans before their big hit took over. Sadly, no specific social media posts or quotes about "Keep Me Coming" have surfaced recently, as most attention still goes to their Billboard-topping ballad.

Sheriff’s journey kicked off in 1979 in Toronto, Ontario, when a group of young musicians—vocalist Freddy Curci, guitarist Steve DeMarchi, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Arnold Lanni, bassist Wolf Hassel, and drummer Ric Dowhan (later replaced by Rob Elliott)—came together with a shared love for bands like Kansas and Foreigner. According to their bio on AllMusic, the band formed out of local jam sessions, with Lanni and Hassel already tinkering with songwriting. They hustled through Toronto’s club scene, building a rep for their tight harmonies and grandiose melodies. By 1981, their persistence landed them a deal with Capitol Records, and they dropped their debut album, Sheriff, in 1982. The album’s polished sound drew from AOR giants but carried a distinct Canadian flair. Despite early promise, the band split in 1985 due to internal tensions, only to see "When I’m with You" rocket to No. 1 in the U.S. in 1989 after a DJ rediscovery. Curci and DeMarchi later formed Alias, while Lanni and Hassel found success with Frozen Ghost.

For fans wanting to dive deeper, Sheriff doesn’t have an active official website, but their legacy lives on through related projects like Alias’s official site, which occasionally nods to Sheriff’s roots. On social media, there’s no dedicated Sheriff presence, but you can catch updates about Freddy Curci and Alias on Facebook and Instagram. No specific X account for Sheriff or Alias exists, but searching hashtags like #SheriffBand or #WhenImWithYou on X might turn up fan chatter. For community vibes, check out the Alias Fans Facebook group, where Sheriff’s music gets occasional love from diehards. Fan websites are scarce, but Rate Your Music offers a solid discography and fan reviews for those craving more Sheriff lore. The Zoo Freaks can keep the vinyl spinning and join these spaces to celebrate Sheriff’s brief but impactful run.