The Demics
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | London, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Punk rock music |
The Demics were a punk rock ensemble originating from London, Ontario, Canada, established in 1977.
Biography
The group came together in 1977, featuring Keith Whittaker on vocals, Rob Brent handling guitar duties, Iain Atkinson-Staines playing bass, and James Weatherstone on drums. By 1978, they had become prominent figures within the Canadian punk movement. Toward the end of 1978, they recorded their first EP and subsequently moved to Toronto to better connect with the punk audience. Their EP included the track "New York City", which was released through Ready Records and gained significant airplay on CFNY in 1979, marking their commercial breakthrough.
Following Brent's departure to establish the post-punk/new wave band Mettle as guitarist and synthesizer player, Steve Koch took over the guitar role. In 1980, The Demics issued a self-titled full-length album but disbanded soon after due to internal conflicts.
In 1996, Huge Records compiled both of the band’s original albums into a CD release titled New York City for Canadian audiences. That year, "New York City" was honored as the top Canadian song ever in a reader vote conducted by the music publication Chart.
Keith Whittaker, the group’s lead singer, passed away from cancer on July 16, 1996. Guitarist Rob Brent died from a heart-related illness on November 5, 2014, at age 57. Drummer James Weatherstone passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 18, 2021, at 63 years old.
Discography
- 1979: Talk's Cheap
- 1980: The Demics
- 1981: The 400 Blows
- 1996: New York City
See also
External links
- Keith Whittaker solo album at Bullseye Records
- Keith Whittaker at MySpace