The Diodes
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 in Toronto, Canada |
| Founder | Paul Robinson, John Catto, Ian Mackay, John Hamilton |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, live performances |
| Website | www |
The Diodes emerged as a Canadian punk rock group originating in 1976 in Toronto. Their discography includes five albums: Diodes (1977), Released (1979), Action-Reaction (1980), Survivors (1982), and the live album Time/Damage Live 1978 (2010). Recognized as trailblazers of the Canadian punk movement, they played a significant role in shaping Toronto’s initial punk landscape.
History
The band was established in October 1976 at OCAD University and made their debut performance in January 1977 as the opening act for Talking Heads. Under the guidance of manager Ralph Alfonso, The Diodes launched Canada's inaugural punk nightclub, the Crash 'n Burn, in June 1977. This venue became a hub for influential punk groups such as The Nerves and The Dead Boys, but it ceased operations by the end of summer due to objections from the building's primary occupants, the Liberal Party of Ontario. The club’s legacy is preserved in Ross McLaren's film Crash 'n Burn and a 1977 CBC television special.
Their debut recording, a single released in 1977 on the Crash 'n' Burn label, featured experimental artists Bruce Eves and Amerigo Maras from the Centre for Experimental Art and Communication (CEAC). This record is acknowledged as one of the pioneering punk releases in Canada.
In July 1977, The Diodes played at New York’s CBGBs supporting The Cramps, sharing the stage with Toronto punk acts like The Viletones and Teenage Head. The band secured a deal with Columbia Records Canada in August 1977 and launched their self-titled first album in October. Produced by Bob Gallo, it contained covers such as "Red Rubber Ball" and "Shape of Things to Come," alongside eight original songs. Distribution extended across Canada, Europe, and Australia, though its reach in the US and UK was limited.
They appeared on the cover of Maclean's magazine in January 1978 as part of "The Class of '78: Introducing the New Elite," gaining national attention alongside personalities like Wayne Gretzky. That same month, they opened for the Ramones and Runaways at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom and conducted an East Coast US tour during the severe winter storm of 1978.
Their sophomore album, Released (1979), also produced by Gallo and released through Epic Records Canada after some delays, featured the single "Tired of Waking Up Tired," which was distributed in the UK. Although "Red Rubber Ball" received radio play on a CBS compilation in the US, overall distribution there remained limited.
The 1980 album Action/Reaction, issued on independent Orient Records with RCA handling distribution, was produced by Ian Gunther and Willi Morrison. This release supported tours including shows in Los Angeles alongside The Circle Jerks and Agent Orange, performances in San Francisco, and a nationwide Canadian tour with U2, Ultravox, Gary Numan, and Split Enz.
In 1981, members John Catto and Paul Robinson moved to London to establish a new version of The Diodes featuring Steve Robinson and Richard Citroen. They recorded an album that was never officially released. This lineup toured Ontario in 1982 to promote Survivors, a collection comprising unreleased material and live recordings.
While in England, the band transitioned into High Noon (1983–1985), regularly performing within London’s club scene including headline appearances at The Embassy and Marquee Club. High Noon recorded sessions that remained unreleased and participated in significant events such as an anti-heroin benefit featuring The Stone Roses and Pete Townshend. The group eventually disbanded as members pursued individual careers; Catto and Robinson stayed based in London.
"Tired of Waking Up Tired" earned the No. 23 spot on Bob Mersereau's The Top 100 Canadian Singles list.
On July 2, 2011, readers of the Toronto Star voted The Diodes as "Best Toronto Band. Ever," surpassing renowned bands like Rush and The Tragically Hip.
Reunions and subsequent releases
In 1998, Sony Music issued the CD Tired of Waking Up Tired: The Best of The Diodes. The group came together again in 1999 to appear on The Mike Bullard Show, promoting this compilation. On May 24–25, 2007, The Diodes (Robinson, Mackay, Catto) performed at Liverpool's Cavern Club and Lennon's Bar as part of the International Pop Overthrow Festival. Then, on June 9, 2007, the original members (Robinson, Mackay, Catto, Hamilton) reunited for their 30th anniversary shows during the NXNE festival in Toronto, which featured free and midnight performances. In February 2010, Rave Up Records (Italy) released Time Damage, a live vinyl album capturing a concert from 1978. Additionally, Action-Reaction, with bonus tracks from Survivors, was reissued by Bongo Beat Records and made available on iTunes in January 2012. New tour dates were subsequently announced for 2015.
The founding lineup from 1977 regrouped once more in 2010 for touring and recording purposes, playing across Canada and Italy at venues such as The Horseshoe (Toronto), Call The Office (London), Road to Ruins Festival (Rome), and The Sound Of Music Festival (Burlington), sharing stages with bands like The New York Dolls. In November 2011, they toured Canada again with original drummer Bent Rasmussen from 1976 filling in for Hamilton on drums while Hamilton transitioned to keyboards. During this period, they also participated in presenting awards at the 2011 Hamilton Music Awards.
The documentary Circa 1977 The Diodes, directed by Aldo Erdic, made its debut at NXNE in 2010.
In 2015, The Diodes conducted a five-city Canadian tour including stops at The Phoenix (Toronto), Manantler Brewery (Bowmanville), This Ain't Hollywood (Hamilton), Brantford Station Gallery (Brantford), and Phi Centre (Montreal). At Manantler Brewery, they introduced their own beer called Time Damage IPA. This tour highlighted a rejuvenated lineup featuring British drummer John Andrew’s Canadian debut, whose energetic Keith Moon-inspired drumming complemented lead guitarist John Catto’s Townsend-style playing. Meanwhile, original drummer John Hamilton contributed keyboard parts enriched with deep-bass synth and Hammond organ flourishes, adding a prog-rock layer to their proto-punk sound.
Members
- Paul Robinson – lead vocals
- John Catto – guitar
- Ian Mackay – bass guitar
- John Hamilton – drums/keyboards
- John Andrew – drums (2015)
- Mike Lengyell – drums
- David Clarkson – bass (featured only on "Raw"/"War" single)
- John Corbett – bass (no recorded material)
- Bent Rasmussen – drums (no recordings)
- Steve Robinson – bass (no official releases)
- Richard Citroen – drums (no official releases)
Discography
- 1977 The Diodes
- 1979 Released
- 1980 Action/Reaction
- 1982 Survivors
- 2010 Time/Damage Live 1978
- 2017 Rarities