Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.

Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.
Also known asTransister Flux; The Transister Family; Transister Sound & Lights Co,…,[1] Transister Deli[2] Transister, Transister Sound & Lighting Co.[3]
OriginWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
GenresIndie rock, pop
Years active1995–2000
LabelsViK. Recordings
MembersJason Churko
Marty Kinack
Dino D'Ottavio
Past membersMarcia Fifer, Mark Sawatzky, Michael Marshall,[4][5][6]

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, & Transister Sound & Lighting Co.[8]

History

[edit]

The band formed in 1995,[9] and self-released a 3-song cassette recording that year, The Transister Flux[10] and performed local shows. The band distributed a 5-song cassette EP in 1996, called Transistor Sounds.[11] 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,[12][13] 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.[14] Their debut, eponymous LP, was due to be released in 1997,[15] but wasn't released until April 1998[16] The band released two music videos for the album, "Anyways/Mayonnaise",[17] and "Prince Vince".[18] "Anyways/Mayonnaise" was also released as a promotional-only CD single.[19]

The band toured throughout Canada performing at festivals such as NXNE,[20] SXSW[21] and Halifax On Music in 1996[22] Canadian Music Week both in 1997,[23] and 1998[24] & and opening for many different bands and artists, such as Hayden,[25]Beth Orten,[26] By Divine Right,[27][28] The Weakerthans,[29]Duotang[30] Treble Charger,[31] Cracker[32]Swervedriver,[33] and Sianspheric.[34]

The band received a 1998 Juno Nomination for Best Alternative album.[35] The band and their single, “Anyways/Mayonnaise” were nominated for Best New Group in the 1999 Canadian Radio Music Awards.[36]

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”,[37] and “Evil Song”[38] They were hired by Emm Gryner in October 1997,[39] to record a single version of her songs "Summerlong"/“Phonecall 45" from her major label debut Public, for a special 7” promotional-only release.[40] “Summerlong” was later released on Gryner’s 2000 release, Dead Relatives.[41] In July 1999, Churko began working at Winnipeg’s local record store, Music Trader / Into The Music.[42] At Canadian Music Week 2000, members of the band backed Emm Gryner for her performance at The Horseshoe Tavern, in Toronto.[43][44][45] 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.[46]

Alternate & Unreleased Songs & Recording of Second LP

[edit]

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.[47] They stated that there are about 21 different alternate versions of “Prince Vince" that the band recorded.[48] An unreleased acoustic version of “Sasparilla”, with tambourine, also exists and is circulating amongst fans.[49] “Three Chords” had a couple different versions recorded, notably one as a full band which featured drums.[50] A version of “Crayola” exists without keyboards, and there may be alternate, different mixes of the song.[51]

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.[52] One of those tracks slated for the 2nd 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.[53] The song was performed live by the band in August 1998,[54] A slow, bass & guitar-only version of "Gone Mind" is circulating amongst collectors.[55] 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.[56] Another unreleased song, "Evil Song" was also performed live in August 1998.[57] 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.[58]

Discography

[edit]

LP

[edit]
  • Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. (released April 7, 1998[59] on BMG)[60]

EPs

[edit]
  • The Transister Flux (3-song cassette, single sided, 1995)[61]
  • Transister Sound & Lighting Co. (5-song CD, EP, Nov. 1996)[62]
  • Transistor Sounds (5-song cassette EP, 1996)[63]

Singles

[edit]
  • Anyways/Mayonnaise (CD Single, 1998)[64]
  • Transister Sound & Lighting Co. (7’, Translucent Purple, 1996)[65]

Compilation Appearances

[edit]
  • "Prince Vince" - Tune In, Turn On, Bug Out (CD, Comp, 1996)[66]
  • "Trampoline Delay" - Tune In Turn On Bug Out! (Fall '97) (CD, Comp, 1997)[67]
  • ”Puddlecloud, Lovesong” - Life Don’t Get Any Better Than This: 1997 National Campus Community Radio Conference Sampler (CD, Promo, 1997)[68]
  • “Anyways/Mayonnaise” I’m with ViK (CD, Promo, Sampler, 1997)[69]
  • “Anyways/Mayonnaise” - BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp.#34 - February 1998 (CD, Comp)[70]
  • “Anyways/Mayonnaise (New Edit)" - BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp.#39 - April 1998 (CD, Comp)[71]
  • "Summerlong (Radio Edit)" - Radioactive Top 40 & Alternative Series #06 (September 1998) (CD, Comp, 1998)[72]

Band Members

[edit]

Previous Members

[edit]
  • Michael "Mike" Brownlee - drums & live shows (1995 - 1997)[73][74]

Additional live support

[edit]
  • Brad Garinger - keyboards, guitar (1998 - 2000)[75]
  • Alfie Catalico - drums (1996 - 2000),[76][77]
  • Marty Chapman - drums[78]
  • Michael "Mike" Marshall - drums,[79][80][81]
  • Mark Sawatzky - drums [82][83][84][85]
  • Marcia Fifer - bass guitar (1997 - 2000) [86]
  • Greg Hanec - Trumpet & clarinet, tapes, vocals (1998 - 1999)[87]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://www.facebook.com/share/PLVXGtz1u71RQ3Pz/?mibextid=WC7FNe
  2. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  3. ^ "The UnOffical Transistor Sound and Lighting Co. Page". Archived from the original on 2000-06-16.
  4. ^ "Ography". Archived from the original on 1999-11-14.
  5. ^ "The Lovedaddys (Old Winnipeg indie band) live, 2000 in Toronto". 13 November 2023.
  6. ^ https://www.discogs.com/artist/14847133-Michael-Marshall-14
  7. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at the Royal Albert, Winnipeg". setlist.fm.
  8. ^ "The UnOffical Transistor Sound and Lighting Co. Page". Archived from the original on 2000-06-16.
  9. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at the Royal Albert, Winnipeg". setlist.fm.
  10. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/31401326-The-Transister-Flux-The-Transister-Flux
  11. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/25273168-Transistor-Sound-Lighting-Co-Transister-Sounds
  12. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/3308676-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co
  13. ^ https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-10-19.pdf (page 57).
  14. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/3498887-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co
  15. ^ https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-10-19.pdf (page 57).
  16. ^ "Retrospective Reviews: Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.'s Self-Titled Album". Vice, Matt Williams, Jan 6 2015,
  17. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. - Anyways / Mayonnaise". YouTube. 28 November 2017.
  18. ^ ""Prince Vince" Music Video - Transistor Sound & Lighting Co". YouTube. February 2023.
  19. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/22630487-Transistor-Sound-Lighting-Co-AnywaysMayonnaise
  20. ^ https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/RPM/90s/1996/RPM-1996-06-17.pdf
  21. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Halifax on Music Info (VERY LONG)". Archived from the original on 2007-10-21.
  23. ^ "The Varsity, May 1, 1996 - April 15, 1997". 1996.
  24. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at Canadian Music Week 1998". setlist.fm.
  25. ^ "Hayden - Live". Archived from the original on 1999-10-11.
  26. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20010602164437/http://webhome.idirect.com/~treble/transistor.htm
  27. ^ "Photographs". Archived from the original on 1999-11-27.
  28. ^ "Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos". Archived from the original on 1999-09-07.
  29. ^ "Photographs". Archived from the original on 1999-11-27.
  30. ^ "Photographs". Archived from the original on 1999-11-27.
  31. ^ "Off Beat - Issue 122 (September 1997)". September 1997.
  32. ^ "Photographs". Archived from the original on 1999-11-27.
  33. ^ "See magazine no.215-239". January 1998.
  34. ^ https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/asset-management/2R3BF1FFHPD0G VOX Magazine, June 1998, issue 172
  35. ^ https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/90s/1998/RPM-1998-03-16.pdf
  36. ^ The Hamilton Spectator, January 22, 1999
  37. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto". setlist.fm.
  38. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto". setlist.fm.
  39. ^ The Winnipeg Sun (February 11, 1999, p.21)
  40. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/2093378-Emm-Gryner-With-Transistor-Sound-And-Lighting-Co-SummerlongPhonecall45
  41. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/3374611-Emm-Gryner-Dead-Relatives
  42. ^ "Nov 2013: Spinner and a movie". 10 November 2013.
  43. ^ "Bob's emm gryner pages, march 2000".
  44. ^ "Emm Gryner @ the Horseshoe". Archived from the original on 2000-05-06.
  45. ^ "Emm Gryner Setlist at Canadian Music Week 2000". setlist.fm.
  46. ^ "A Tribute to Transistor Sound & Lighting Co., by Inservice Records".
  47. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  48. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Transistor Sound and Lighting co. "Gone mind" LP". YouTube. 20 March 2021.
  50. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  51. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  52. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  53. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/31401326-The-Transister-Flux-The-Transister-Flux
  54. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto". setlist.fm.
  55. ^ "Transistor Sound and Lighting co. "Gone mind" LP". YouTube. 20 March 2021.
  56. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20010602164437/http://webhome.idirect.com/~treble/transistor.htm
  57. ^ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto". setlist.fm.
  58. ^ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  59. ^ http://transistor.pollutionlake.com/news.htm
  60. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/2256502-Transistor-Sound-Lighting-Co-Transistor-Sound-Lighting-Co
  61. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/31401326-The-Transister-Flux-The-Transister-Flux
  62. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/3308676-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co
  63. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/25273168-Transistor-Sound-Lighting-Co-Transister-Sounds
  64. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/22630487-Transistor-Sound-Lighting-Co-AnywaysMayonnaise
  65. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/3498887-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co-Transister-Sound-Lighting-Co
  66. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/15432167-Various-Tune-In-Turn-On-Bug-Out
  67. ^ https://www.discogs.com/master/901616-Various-Tune-In-Turn-On-Bug-Out-Fall-97
  68. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/9316576-Various-Life-Dont-Get-Any-Better-Than-This-1997-National-Campus-Community-Radio-Conference-Sampler
  69. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/31189075-Various-Im-with-ViK
  70. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/11624129-Various-BMG-Pop-Promo-CD-Comp-34-February-1998
  71. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/11630344-Various-BMG-Pop-Promo-CD-Comp-39-April-1998
  72. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/11246189-Various-Radioactive-Top-40-Alternative-Series-06-September-1998
  73. ^ The Winnipeg Sun 1998-04-03
  74. ^ Kendle, John, The Winnipeg Sun, 1996-02-09
  75. ^ "New S". Archived from the original on 1999-11-14.
  76. ^ [1] from information section of track
  77. ^ https://www.angelfire.com/mb/christinacanadamusic/transistor.html
  78. ^ The Winnipeg Sun, 1998-04-03
  79. ^ "Ography". Archived from the original on 1999-11-14.
  80. ^ "The Lovedaddys (Old Winnipeg indie band) live, 2000 in Toronto". 13 November 2023.
  81. ^ https://www.discogs.com/artist/14847133-Michael-Marshall-14
  82. ^ "Ography". Archived from the original on 1999-11-14.
  83. ^ https://www.angelfire.com/mb/christinacanadamusic/transistor.html
  84. ^ Meowing into the Abyss Podcast - Ep. 13 TS&LCo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6RmP6qLuww) - Mark was in a band called The Harlots, and The Ballroom Zombies (afterwards, and previously to Transistor)
  85. ^ https://www.angelfire.com/mb/christinacanadamusic/harlots.html
  86. ^ [2] from information section of track
  87. ^ "New S". Archived from the original on 1999-11-14.
[edit]
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