Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.
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Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. was an indie rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The group was active from 1995 to 2000.[7] Throughout the band's lifespan, they went under different names, such as: Transister Flux, The Transister Family, Transister Deli, Transister, and Transister Sound & Lighting Co.[3]
Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Transister Flux; The Transister Family; Transister Sound & Lights Co,…,[1] Transister Deli[2] Transister, Transister Sound & Lighting Co.[3] |
| Origin | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Indie rock, pop |
| Years active | 1995–2000 |
| Label | ViK. Recordings |
| Members | Jason Churko Marty Kinack Dino D'Ottavio |
| Past members | Marcia Fifer, Mark Sawatzky, Michael Marshall,[4][5][6] |
History
The band formed in 1995,[7] and self-released a 3-song cassette recording that year, The Transister Flux[8] and performed local shows. The band distributed a 5-song cassette EP in 1996, called Transistor Sounds.[9] They were signed to the Canadian arm of Sony Records, ViK. Recordings, and released a 5-song CD EP, called Transister Sound & Lighting Co., of early mixes in November 1996,[10][11] a 7" vinyl single called Transister Sound & Lighting Co., featuring a different 4-track version of "Prince Vince", and two non-LP tracks, in 1996.[12] Their debut, eponymous LP, was due to be released in 1997,[11] but wasn't released until April 1998[13] The band released two music videos for the album, "Anyways/Mayonnaise",[14] and "Prince Vince".[15] "Anyways/Mayonnaise" was also released as a promotional-only CD single.[16]
The band toured throughout Canada performing at festivals such as NXNE,[17] SXSW[18] and Halifax On Music in 1996[19] Canadian Music Week both in 1997,[20] and 1998[21] and opening for many different bands and artists, such as Hayden,[22]Beth Orten,[23] By Divine Right,[24][25] The Weakerthans,[24]Duotang[24] Treble Charger,[26] Cracker[24]Swervedriver,[27] and Sianspheric.[28]
The band received a 1998 Juno Nomination for Best Alternative album.[29] The band and their single, “Anyways/Mayonnaise” were nominated for Best New Group in the 1999 Canadian Radio Music Awards.[30]
During live performances in 1998, the band performed two songs that weren’t released on their self-titled record, but were recorded during the album sessions; “Gone Mind”,[31] and “Evil Song”[31] They were hired by Emm Gryner in October 1997,[32] to record a single version of her songs "Summerlong"/“Phonecall 45" from her major label debut Public, for a special 7” promotional-only release.[33] “Summerlong” was later released on Gryner’s 2000 release, Dead Relatives.[34] In July 1999, Churko began working at Winnipeg’s local record store, Music Trader / Into The Music.[35] At Canadian Music Week 2000, members of the band backed Emm Gryner for her performance at The Horseshoe Tavern, in Toronto.[36][37][38] In the course of record label reorganization, they left the label.
In December 2023, Innerservice Records in Winnipeg, released a tribute album to Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.’s eponymous sole LP, featuring many local Winnipeg bands’ takes on the songs, called A Tribute to Transistor Sound & Lighting Co., for the albums twenty-fifth anniversary.[39]
Alternate and unreleased songs and recording of second LP
During a July 2024 appearance on the Meowing Into the Abyss podcast, Jay & Dino discussed that there are many different outtakes of songs to what was eventually released on the Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. album.[40] They stated that there are about 21 different alternate versions of "Prince Vince" that the band recorded.[41] An unreleased acoustic version of "Sasparilla", with tambourine, also exists and is circulating amongst fans.[42] "Three Chords" had a couple different versions recorded, notably one as a full band which featured drums.[43] A version of "Crayola" exists without keyboards, and there may be alternate, different mixes of the song.[44]
During the podcast, Jay & Dino also discussed that there were about nine or ten unreleased songs, recorded for a potential second album, that were 90% completed, including mixing.[45] One of those tracks slated for the second LP, was "Gone Mind". "Gone Mind" was recorded, in 1995, in two different versions. A fast version of the song was released on The Transister Flux cassette, in 1995.[8] The song was performed live by the band in August 1998 [31] A slow, bass and guitar-only version of "Gone Mind" is circulating amongst collectors.[46] Another song slated for a second LP was "Freedom Park". A studio recording exists for this song. This song was also performed live in October 1998, by the band.[23] Another unreleased song, "Evil Song" was also performed live in August 1998.[31] It is unknown if a studio version of this song exists or was recorded.
Within the interview, the band noted that they own 50% of their song publishing. The band sold their masters to the record label.[47]
Discography
LP
EPs
Singles
Compilation Appearances
- "Prince Vince" - Tune In, Turn On, Bug Out (CD, Comp, 1996)[50]
- "Trampoline Delay" - Tune In Turn On Bug Out! (Fall '97) (CD, Comp, 1997)[51]
- ”Puddlecloud, Lovesong” - Life Don’t Get Any Better Than This: 1997 National Campus Community Radio Conference Sampler (CD, Promo, 1997)[52]
- “Anyways/Mayonnaise” I’m with ViK (CD, Promo, Sampler, 1997)[53]
- “Anyways/Mayonnaise” - BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp.#34 - February 1998 (CD, Comp)[54]
- “Anyways/Mayonnaise (New Edit)" - BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp.#39 - April 1998 (CD, Comp)[55]
- "Summerlong (Radio Edit)" - Radioactive Top 40 & Alternative Series #06 (September 1998) (CD, Comp, 1998)[56]
Band Members
- Jason Churko - guitar, bass, drum, keyboards, noises, vocals
- Dino D'Ottavio - guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, synths ,percussion
- Marty Kinack - drums, percussion, sound effects
Previous members
Additional live support
- Brad Garinger - keyboards, guitar (1998–2000)[59]
- Alfie Catalico - drums (1996–2000),[60][61]
- Marty Chapman - drums[62]
- Michael "Mike" Marshall - drums[4][5][6]
- Mark Sawatzky - drums [4][61][63][64]
- Marcia Fifer - bass guitar (1997–2000) [60]
- Greg Hanec - trumpet, clarinet, tapes, vocals (1998–1999)[59]