Wikipedia

Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.

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 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
LabelViK. Recordings
MembersJason Churko
Marty Kinack
Dino D'Ottavio
Past membersMarcia Fifer, Mark Sawatzky, Michael Marshall,[4][5][6]

History

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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

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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

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LP

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  • Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. (released April 7, 1998[48] on BMG)[49]

EPs

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  • The Transister Flux (3-song cassette, single sided, 1995)[8]
  • Transister Sound & Lighting Co. (5-song CD, EP, Nov. 1996)[10]
  • Transistor Sounds (5-song cassette EP, 1996)[9]

Singles

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  • Anyways/Mayonnaise (CD Single, 1998)[16]
  • Transister Sound & Lighting Co. (7’, Translucent Purple, 1996)[12]

Compilation Appearances

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  • "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

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Previous members

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  • Michael "Mike" Brownlee - drums and live shows (1995–1997)[57][58]

Additional live support

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  • 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]

References

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  1. ↑ "Facebook". Facebook.
  2. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 "The UnOffical Transistor Sound and Lighting Co. Page". Archived from the original on 2000-06-16.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ography". Archived from the original on 1999-11-14.
  5. 1 2 "The Lovedaddys (Old Winnipeg indie band) live, 2000 in Toronto". 13 November 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Michael Marshall (14)". Discogs.
  7. 1 2 "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at the Royal Albert, Winnipeg". setlist.fm.
  8. 1 2 3 "The Transister Flux - the Transister Flux". Discogs. 1995.
  9. 1 2 "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. - Transister Sounds". Discogs. 1996.
  10. 1 2 "Transister Sound & Lighting Co. - Transister Sound & Lighting Co". Discogs. November 1996.
  11. 1 2 https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-10-19.pdf (page 57).
  12. 1 2 "Transister Sound & Lighting Co. - Transister Sound & Lighting Co". Discogs. 1996.
  13. ↑ "Retrospective Reviews: Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.'s Self-Titled Album". Vice, Matt Williams, Jan 6 2015,
  14. ↑ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. - Anyways / Mayonnaise". YouTube. 28 November 2017.
  15. ↑ ""Prince Vince" Music Video - Transistor Sound & Lighting Co". YouTube. February 2023.
  16. 1 2 "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. - Anyways/Mayonnaise". Discogs. 1998.
  17. ↑ "North by Northeast - Special Issue" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 18. June 17, 1996. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-05-06.
  18. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  19. ↑ "Halifax on Music Info (VERY LONG)". Archived from the original on 2007-10-21.
  20. ↑ "The Varsity, May 1, 1996 - April 15, 1997". 1996.
  21. ↑ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at Canadian Music Week 1998". setlist.fm.
  22. ↑ "Hayden - Live". Archived from the original on 1999-10-11.
  23. 1 2 "Not Found". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Photographs". Archived from the original on 1999-11-27.
  25. ↑ "Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos". Archived from the original on 1999-09-07.
  26. ↑ "Off Beat - Issue 122 (September 1997)". September 1997.
  27. ↑ "See magazine no.215-239". January 1998.
  28. ↑ https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/asset-management/2R3BF1FFHPD0G VOX Magazine, June 1998, issue 172
  29. ↑ "RPM - David Usher - Little Songs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-07-04.
  30. ↑ The Hamilton Spectator, January 22, 1999
  31. 1 2 3 4 "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. Setlist at Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto". setlist.fm.
  32. ↑ The Winnipeg Sun (February 11, 1999, p.21)
  33. ↑ "Emm Gryner with Transistor Sound and Lighting Co. - Summerlong/Phonecall45". Discogs. 1998.
  34. ↑ "Emm Gryner - Dead Relatives". Discogs. 2000.
  35. ↑ "Nov 2013: Spinner and a movie". 10 November 2013.
  36. ↑ "Bob's emm gryner pages, march 2000".
  37. ↑ "Emm Gryner @ the Horseshoe". Archived from the original on 2000-05-06.
  38. ↑ "Emm Gryner Setlist at Canadian Music Week 2000". setlist.fm.
  39. ↑ "A Tribute to Transistor Sound & Lighting Co., by Inservice Records".
  40. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  41. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  42. ↑ "Transistor Sound and Lighting co. "Gone mind" LP". YouTube. 20 March 2021.
  43. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  44. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  45. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  46. ↑ "Transistor Sound and Lighting co. "Gone mind" LP". YouTube. 20 March 2021.
  47. ↑ "Meowing into the Abyss - Episode 13 - Transistor Sound and Lighting Co". YouTube. 11 July 2024.
  48. ↑ "News | transistor sound & lighting co".
  49. ↑ "Transistor Sound & Lighting Co. - Transistor Sound & Lighting Co". Discogs. 1998.
  50. ↑ "Various - Tune in Turn on Bug Out". Discogs. 1996.
  51. ↑ "Various - Tune in Turn on Bug Out! (Fall '97)". Discogs. 1997.
  52. ↑ "Various - Life Don't Get Any Better Than This: 1997 National Campus Community Radio Conference Sampler". Discogs. 1997.
  53. ↑ "Various - I'm with ViK". Discogs. 1997.
  54. ↑ "Various - BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp. #34 - February 1998". Discogs. February 1998.
  55. ↑ "Various - BMG Pop Promo CD - Comp. #39 - April 1998". Discogs. April 1998.
  56. ↑ "Various - Radioactive Top 40 & Alternative Series #06 (September 1998)". Discogs. 1998.
  57. ↑ The Winnipeg Sun 1998-04-03
  58. ↑ Kendle, John, The Winnipeg Sun, 1996-02-09
  59. 1 2 "New S". Archived from the original on 1999-11-14.
  60. 1 2 from information section of track
  61. 1 2 "Transistor sound & lighting co". Archived from the original on 2000-01-16.
  62. ↑ The Winnipeg Sun, 1998-04-03
  63. ↑ 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)
  64. ↑ "The Harlots are a fairly new band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada". Archived from the original on 2000-01-16.
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