Biography
The Demics came together toward the end of 1977 in London, Ontario. Lead vocalist Keith Whittaker, guitarist Rob Brent, bassist Iain Atkinson, and drummer Nick Perry made up the initial punk rock quartet. Early appearances took place in modest rock venues and taverns, where receptive crowds quickly formed. Sets blended covers of other artists with the band’s own material. Jim “J. D.” Weatherstone soon replaced the original drummer after only a handful of shows. Roughly three years later, following a split and subsequent reunion, Steve Koch joined on guitar.
By 1978 the group had secured enough attention to open for major punk and new-wave acts. Several months afterward they issued their first release, the five-song EP Talks Cheap. The pressing later became a scarce collector’s item. Its standout track, “New York City,” remains the song most closely identified with the Demics.
The following year brought mounting difficulties that prompted the original lineup to disband. Early in 1980 the band reassembled, now featuring Koch. Shortly thereafter Intercon Records issued the quartet’s self-titled full-length album. Despite the new collection, “New York City” from the earlier EP continued to be their sole widely recognized single. Another dissolution occurred in 1981.
More than a decade afterward, “New York City” was named Canada’s greatest single of all time, prompting a 27-track Demics compilation in 1996. That same year founding singer Keith Whittaker succumbed to cancer. Among the punk songs featured on the anthology were “Mercy Killer,” “The News,” “Neutron Bomb,” “I Wanna Know,” “Cowboys Are Fags,” “All Gone Wrong,” and “Public Opinion.”
By 1978 the group had secured enough attention to open for major punk and new-wave acts. Several months afterward they issued their first release, the five-song EP Talks Cheap. The pressing later became a scarce collector’s item. Its standout track, “New York City,” remains the song most closely identified with the Demics.
The following year brought mounting difficulties that prompted the original lineup to disband. Early in 1980 the band reassembled, now featuring Koch. Shortly thereafter Intercon Records issued the quartet’s self-titled full-length album. Despite the new collection, “New York City” from the earlier EP continued to be their sole widely recognized single. Another dissolution occurred in 1981.
More than a decade afterward, “New York City” was named Canada’s greatest single of all time, prompting a 27-track Demics compilation in 1996. That same year founding singer Keith Whittaker succumbed to cancer. Among the punk songs featured on the anthology were “Mercy Killer,” “The News,” “Neutron Bomb,” “I Wanna Know,” “Cowboys Are Fags,” “All Gone Wrong,” and “Public Opinion.”
Albums
