The Diodes
The Diodes | |
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![]() From left to right: Ian Mackay, John Catto, Paul Robinson, and John Hamilton Photo by Ralph Alfonso | |
Background information | |
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | |
Years active | 1976 | –1982 (reunions: 1998, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2015)
Labels |
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Members | Paul Robinson - Vocals John Catto - Guitar Ian Mackay - Bass John Hamilton - Drums/Keyboards John Andrew - Drums |
Past members | Mike Lengyell- Drums John Corbett - Bass Dave Clarkson - Bass Steve Robinson - Bass Richard Citroen - Drums |
Website | www |
The Diodes are a
History
The Diodes formed in October 1976 at
The band put out their first record in summer 1977, a single featuring Bruce Eves and Amerigo Maras of the
The Diodes played
The Diodes were featured in the January 9, 1978 issue of Maclean's, on the cover and included in the article "The Class of '78: Introducing the New Elite". They were touted as the Canadians "we'll soon be talking about". Others included in this elite group included Wayne Gretzky and Conrad Black.[4] On January 20, 1978 they opened for the Ramones and Runaways at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago to an encore. The band also toured the U.S. east coast during the blizzard of 1978; performing in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
In 1979 the Diodes released their second Bob Gallo produced LP, on Epic Records in Canada, after a year of delays. Ironically titled Released, after the band's internal problems with the label, it again opened with the track "Red Rubber Ball". This was due to the song getting US airplay on the American CBS compilation album Permanent Wave. It was followed by nine original tracks, including the highly regarded single, "Tired of Waking Up Tired", which also got UK domestic release. Unlike the band's debut album, which was exported heavily to the United States by Jem and other record importers, Released was not widely distributed in US record stores and the band seemed to disappear in the minds of many of their fans outside of Canada.
1980 saw the release of the Diodes' third album, Action/Reaction on the independent label Orient Records, distributed by RCA. It was produced by Ian Gunther and Willi Morrison. The band performed concerts in
In 1981, John Catto and Paul Robinson moved to London, England to launch a short-lived version of The Diodes with a new rhythm section consisting of bassist Steve Robinson (ex-Barracudas) and drummer Richard Citroen (ex-Loved Ones). An album of new material was recorded, but remains unreleased. This version of The Diodes toured Ontario in 1982, to promote the group's fourth album Survivors, a compilation of unreleased outtakes, demos, and live recordings (from the first two albums, live with John Hamilton on drums, plus demo recordings with Mike Lengyell on drums).
Upon returning to England, the group metamorphosed into High Noon (consisting of John Catto, Paul Robinson, Steve Robinson, David Buckley (ex-Barracudas, backing vocals), and drummer Rick Zsigmond) in 1983. High Noon lasted until 1985 and were regulars playing around the London scene including headlining The Embassy club and the Marquee Club on Wardour Street. The band also recorded sessions which remain unreleased. High Noon peaked playing an anti-heroin charity gig at The Moonlight Club in West Hampstead supported by The Stone Roses, which culminated in a jam session including High Noon, The Stone Roses and Pete Townshend playing the songs "Substitute" and "The Kids are Alright". The group gradually disbanded, with each member going his own way, and singer Paul Robinson and guitarist John Catto remaining in London, England.
"Tired of Waking Up Tired" was listed at No. 23 in the book The Top 100 Canadian Singles, by Bob Mersereau, published by Goose Lane Editions.[5]
On July 2, 2011, The Diodes were voted "Best Toronto Band. Ever" in a contest run by the Toronto Star. Readers voted for them over the course of a month, beating out such peers as Rush, The Tragically Hip, Martha and the Muffins and others.[6]
Reunions and new releases
In 1998,
The original 1977 line-up (Robinson, Catto, Mackay, Hamilton) re-united again in 2010 for touring and recording. They performed at The Horseshoe (Toronto), Call The Office (London), Starlight (Waterloo), This Ain't Hollywood (Hamilton), Road to Ruins Festival (Rome, Italy), Pop Corn Club (Venice, Italy), and The Sound Of Music Festival (Burlington, Canada; with The New York Dolls). The 1977 line-up toured Canada again in November, 2011, but added original 1976 drummer Bent Rasmussen (also of Johnny & The G-Rays) behind the kit while John Hamilton could finally play his album keyboard parts live. The Diodes also presented awards at the 2011 Hamilton Music Awards on Nov 19 and also Nov 20.
A documentary about the band 'Circa 1977 The Diodes' directed by Aldo Erdic premiered at
In 2015, the Diodes reunited once again for a five-city tour: The Phoenix (Toronto), Manantler Brewery (Bowmanville), This Ain't Hollywood (Hamilton), the Brantford Station Gallery (Brantford) and the Phi Centre (Montreal). At the exclusive show for Manantler Brewery in Bowmanville, the Diodes celebrated the creation of their own beer—Time Damage, IPA. The tour revealed a dynamic, re-energized Diodes driven by the powerful Keith Moon-style playing of new British drummer John Andrew making his Canadian debut, and perfectly complementing lead guitarist John Catto's Townsend stylings. Original drummer John Hamilton continued in his keyboard role contributing deep-bass synth a la Nine Inch Nails and Jon Lord Hammond accents adding a Prog dimension to the Diodes' proto-Punk.
Members
- Paul Robinson - vocalist
- John Catto - guitarist
- Ian Mackay - bassist
- John Hamilton - drummer/keyboards
- John Andrew - present drummer (2015)
- Mike Lengyell - drummer
- David Clarkson - bassist (on "Raw"/"War" single only)
- John Corbett - bassist (not on any recordings)
- Bent Rasmussen - drums (not on any recordings)
- Steve Robinson - bassist (not on any released recordings)
- Richard Citroen - drums (not on any released recordings)
Discography
- 1977 The Diodes
- 1979 Released
- 1980 Action/Reaction
- 1982 Survivors
- 2010 Time/Damage Live 1978
- 2017 Rarities
See also
- List of musicians in the first wave of punk music
References
- AllMusic
- ISBN 978-1-77041-067-1.
- ^ ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ Maclean's January 9, 1978 (p 1, p29-40)
- ^ The Top 100 Canadian Singles by Bob Mersereau, Hard Cover, Goose Lane Editions, Oct. 2010 (p 76-77)
- ^ Toronto Star, Entertainment section, July 2, 2011 (p 4)