Jump to content

Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Transistor Sound & Lighting Co., available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 202510 sources
Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.
Company typeIndie rock band
IndustryMusic
Founded1995
Defunct2000
Headquarters
Winnipeg
,
Canada
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. was an indie rock group originating from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, active between 1995 and 2000.[1] Throughout their career, they operated under several aliases, including Transister Flux, The Transister Family, and Transister Deli.[2]

History

Established in 1995,[1] the band first released a self-produced cassette titled The Transister Flux, featuring three tracks, and began performing within the local scene. In 1996, they followed up with a five-song cassette EP called Transistor Sounds.[3] After signing with the Canadian division of Sony Records, known as ViK. Recordings, they issued a five-track CD EP containing early mixes in November 1996,[4] along with a 7" vinyl single that included "Prince Vince" and two additional tracks not featured on any LP.[5] Their first full-length album debuted in April 1998,[6] supported by music videos for the songs "Anyways/Mayonnaise"Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and "Prince Vince".Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The track "Anyways/Mayonnaise" was also released as a promotional CD single.[7]

The band embarked on extensive tours throughout Canada, appearing at notable festivals such as NXNE,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name SXSW,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Halifax On Music,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and Canadian Music Week during 1997 and 1998.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name They shared stages as opening acts for artists including Hayden,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Beth Orton,[8] By Divine Right,[9]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The Weakerthans,[9] Duotang,[9] Treble Charger,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Cracker,[9] Swervedriver,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and Sianspheric.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Recognition came in the form of a nomination for Best Alternative Album at the 1998 Juno Awards,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name as well as a nod for Best New Group at the 1999 Canadian Radio Music Awards.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

During concerts in 1998, the band showcased unreleased material such as “Gone Mind” and “Evil Song,” both recorded during their album sessions.[10] In October 1997, they collaborated with Emm Gryner on a promotional single featuring her tracks "Summerlong" and “Phonecall 45” from her major label debut Public, which was later included on her 2000 album Dead Relatives. Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In July 1999, member Jason Churko took up employment at Winnipeg’s Music Trader / Into The Music record store.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name At Canadian Music Week 2000, the band supported Emm Gryner during her performance at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Eventually, they parted ways with their record label amid corporate changes.

In December 2023, Innerservice Records, based in Winnipeg, issued A Tribute to Transistor Sound & Lighting Co., marking the 25th anniversary of the band's only LP with cover versions performed by local musicians.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Alternate & Unreleased Songs & Recording of Second LP

In a July 2024 episode of the Meowing Into the Abyss podcast, Jay & Dino disclosed numerous outtakes from the Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. album, including approximately twenty-one alternate takes of “Prince Vince.” Among fans, an unreleased acoustic version of “Sasparilla,” accompanied by tambourine, is also known to circulate.

The track “Three Chords” exists in several renditions, including one featuring full band instrumentation with drums. Alternate mixes and a keyboard-free version of “Crayola” have likewise been identified.

They revealed that about nine or ten unreleased songs intended for a prospective second album are nearly finished—around ninety percent complete including mixing. Key songs mentioned include "Gone Mind," which was recorded in two distinct versions in 1995: a faster take released on The Transister Flux cassette and a slower bass-and-guitar-only rendition shared among collectors. "Freedom Park" has a studio recording and was performed live in October 1998. "Evil Song" was played live in August 1998; however, its studio recording status remains unclear.

The band holds fifty percent ownership of their song publishing rights but transferred ownership of their master recordings to the record company.

Albums

  • Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. (Released April 7, 1998, under BMG)

Extended Plays

  • The Transister Flux (3-track cassette, 1995)
  • Transister Sound & Lighting Co. (5-track CD EP, November 1996)
  • Transistor Sounds (5-track cassette EP, 1996)

Singles

  • Anyways/Mayonnaise (CD Single, 1998)
  • Transister Sound & Lighting Co. (7” translucent purple vinyl, 1996)

Compilation Contributions

  • "Prince Vince" featured on Tune In, Turn On, Bug Out (CD, 1996)
  • "Trampoline Delay" included in Tune In Turn On Bug Out! (Fall '97) (CD, 1997)
  • "Puddlecloud, Lovesong" appeared on Life Don’t Get Any Better Than This: 1997 National Campus Community Radio Conference Sampler (CD, 1997)
  • “Anyways/Mayonnaise” featured on the promotional CD sampler I’m with ViK (1997)
  • “Anyways/Mayonnaise” included in BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp.#34 - February 1998
  • “Anyways/Mayonnaise (New Edit)" featured on BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp.#39 - April 1998
  • "Summerlong (Radio Edit)" appeared on the compilation Radioactive Top 40 & Alternative Series #06 (September 1998) (CD)

Band Personnel

Former Members

  • Michael "Mike" Brownlee – drums and live performances (1995–1997)

Additional Touring Musicians

  • Brad Garinger – guitar and keyboards (1998–2000)
  • Alfie Catalico – drums (1996–2000)
  • Marty Chapman – drums
  • Michael "Mike" Marshall – drums
  • Mark Sawatzky – drums
  • Marcia Fifer – bass guitar (1997–2000)
  • Greg Hanec – trumpet, clarinet, tape effects, vocals (1998–1999)

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto15
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto14
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto12
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto1
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto16
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named williams
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto6
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto3
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto11
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto5

Related profiles

TThe Watchmen (band)MMood RuffEEric's TripTTreble Charger
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Transistor_Sound_%26_Lighting_Co.&oldid=83207"