controller.controller are a Canadian indie rock band from Toronto, Ontario. The band consisted of vocalist Nirmala Basnayake, guitarists Colwyn Llewellyn-Thomas and Scott Kaija, bassist Ronnie Morris and drummer Jeff Scheven. The band took its name from a song by Shotmaker.[1]
controller.controller | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Indie rock, dance-punk |
| Years active | 2002-2006 |
| Labels | New Romantic |
| Members | Nirmala Basnayake Colwyn Llewellyn-Thomas Scott Kaija Ronnie Morris Jeff Scheven |
History
editThe band formed in 2002, and played their first shows using the name The Prefix. Their rhythmic post-punk style had been compared by critics to Joy Division, The Slits and Public Image Ltd.
Their debut album, History, was released on Paper Bag Records in 2004.[2][3] The follow-up album, X-Amounts, was released October 11, 2005.[4][5] Also in 2005, Basnayake participated in Ladeez Quire, an improvisational music show that also featured Sook-Yin Lee and Elisha Lim.[6]
After the release of X-Amounts, the band went on a tour around North America and the UK to support the album.[7][8]
In October 2006, Basnayake decided to leave the band,[9] and this resulted in its disbanding.[7] Members Jeff Scheven and Ronnie Morris formed the new band Lioness with vocalist Vanessa Fischer in 2007,[10] while Scott Kaija formed the new band Medallions with vocalist/guitarist John Hunter, drummer Mick Jackson and Daniel Brooks.[10] Basnayake remained an occasional contributor to one-off musical projects, most notably Toronto band Stop Die Resuscitate's 2009 single "Measurements".[11]
The band reunited in February 2015 for a reunion show at Sneaky Dee's, as part of the 15th anniversary of Toronto's influential Wavelength concert series.[12] Shortly thereafter Morris suffered a disabling stroke.[7][13]
The band reunited again in February 2024 for a show at Drake Hotel, curated by Brendan Canning. Morris has rejoined the band after recovering from strokes.[14]
Discography
editSee also
edit
References
edit- ^ Carlson, Jen (13 October 2004). "Controller.Controller Interview and Review". gothamist.com. The Gothamist. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
- ^ "Controller.Controller reunites for Wavelength, talk future and that time Bahamas opened for them". Post City, February 11, 2015.
- ^ Reviews. CMJ Network, Inc. 14 June 2004. pp. 5–. ISSN 0890-0795.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Nirmala Basnayake Leaves Controller.Controller"[usurped]. ChartAttack, October 6, 2006.
- ^ Rebecca RAber (2005). Abridged Too Far: Reviews in brief. CMJ Network, Inc. pp. 50–. ISSN 1074-6978.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Quire Practice". NOW, December 15, 2005.
- ^ a b c "Ronnie Morris Recovery". by Kevin Ritchie May 21, 2015
- ^ "controller.controller Have Reunited And It Feels So Good". Noisey, Cam Lindsay Jan 8 2015
- ^ "Nirmala Basnayake Talks About Leaving controller.controller". CBC Radio 3, October 3, 2006.
- ^ a b "controller.controller Have Reunited And It Feels So Good". Noisey, January 8, 2015.
- ^ "L Communication: What's Up With Nirmala?". CBC Radio 3, May 20, 2009.
- ^ "controller.controller — Sneaky Dees, Toronto ON, February 13. Exclaim!, February 14, 2015.
- ^ "Toronto musicians band together to support Controller.Controller bassist Ronnie Morris’s stroke recovery"[usurped]. Chart Attack, Richard Trapunski - Sep 16, 2015
- ^ Hudson, Alex (February 9, 2024). "controller.controller Reunite for First Show in Nine Years". Exclaim.