Pukka Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Pukka Orchestra was a Canadian
New Wave
band in the 1980s. The core of the band consisted of vocalist Graeme Williamson and guitarists Neil Chapman and Tony Duggan-Smith, although the band made frequent use of guest musicians.
Formed in Toronto
in 1979, they released an independent single, "Rubber Girl", in 1981. They soon became fixtures on Toronto's Queen Street West
club scene and signed to Solid Gold Records, releasing their debut album in 1984. In the summer of 1984, the band had a top 40 chart hit in Canada with a cover of Tom Robinson
's "Listen to the Radio". Other singles "Cherry Beach Express" and "Might As Well Be on Mars" received FM radio play.
The band had just received a U-Know/CASBY Award for 'Most Promising Group' when fate dealt them a double blow. Their record company 'Solid Gold' went into receivership even as the album was climbing the charts. Then while visiting relatives in Scotland in late 1984, Williamson developed kidney
problems. Williamson ended up staying in a Glasgow hospital for several months, and in 1985, Chapman, Duggan-Smith, Robert Priest
, Colin Linden
, Gwen Swick and other Toronto musicians held a benefit concert
to help defray Williamson's living expenses while receiving dialysis treatment. He eventually received a kidney transplant and returned to Toronto. The band recorded a four-song EP
in 1987. However, in the midst of recording their second full-length album in 1988, Graeme's health took another turn and he went back to Scotland for treatment.
In 1992, Pukka Orchestra released their final album Dear Harry, a compilation of three tracks from the 1987 EP, and completed tracks from the temporarily shelved 1988 sessions. The first Pukka Orchestra album was reissued in CD format in 2000 by Solid Gold Records/Casablanca Media.
The band regrouped, minus Williamson, for the Spirit of Radio
Reunion show in 2003. The three core members remain friends and continue to work together creatively whenever the opportunity arises.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band in the 1980s. The core of the band consisted of vocalist Graeme Williamson and guitarists Neil Chapman and Tony Duggan-Smith, although the band made frequent use of guest musicians.
Formed in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1979, they released an independent single, "Rubber Girl", in 1981. They soon became fixtures on Toronto's Queen Street West
Queen Street West
Queen Street West describes both the western branch of Queen Street, a major east-west thoroughfare, and a series of neighbourhoods or commercial districts, situated west of Yonge Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Queen Street begins in the west at the intersection of King Street, The...
club scene and signed to Solid Gold Records, releasing their debut album in 1984. In the summer of 1984, the band had a top 40 chart hit in Canada with a cover of Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is an English singer-songwriter, bassist and radio presenter, better known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay", "2-4-6-8 Motorway", and "Don't Take No for an Answer", with his Tom Robinson Band...
's "Listen to the Radio". Other singles "Cherry Beach Express" and "Might As Well Be on Mars" received FM radio play.
The band had just received a U-Know/CASBY Award for 'Most Promising Group' when fate dealt them a double blow. Their record company 'Solid Gold' went into receivership even as the album was climbing the charts. Then while visiting relatives in Scotland in late 1984, Williamson developed kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
problems. Williamson ended up staying in a Glasgow hospital for several months, and in 1985, Chapman, Duggan-Smith, Robert Priest
Robert Priest
Robert Priest is a British born Canadian poet and children's author. He has written numerous books of poetry, several children's novels, and has often appeared on CBC radio's hit spoken word show "Wordbeat" under the alias "Dr Poetry". He is well known for his aphorisms and performance poetry...
, Colin Linden
Colin Linden
Colin Linden is a Canadian musician, songwriter and record producer. He has worked with a wide variety of artists including Bruce Cockburn, Lucinda Williams, T-Bone Burnett, Colin James, Leon Redbone, Rita Chiarelli, Chris Thomas King and The Band.Linden is primarily a electric blues guitarist,...
, Gwen Swick and other Toronto musicians held a benefit concert
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
to help defray Williamson's living expenses while receiving dialysis treatment. He eventually received a kidney transplant and returned to Toronto. The band recorded a four-song EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
in 1987. However, in the midst of recording their second full-length album in 1988, Graeme's health took another turn and he went back to Scotland for treatment.
In 1992, Pukka Orchestra released their final album Dear Harry, a compilation of three tracks from the 1987 EP, and completed tracks from the temporarily shelved 1988 sessions. The first Pukka Orchestra album was reissued in CD format in 2000 by Solid Gold Records/Casablanca Media.
The band regrouped, minus Williamson, for the Spirit of Radio
CFNY-FM
CFNY-FM, promoted under the branding 102.1 The Edge, is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 102.1 FM. The station rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s due to its freestyle DJing format and unique choice to play alternative music...
Reunion show in 2003. The three core members remain friends and continue to work together creatively whenever the opportunity arises.
Discography
- The Pukka Orchestra (1984)
- The Palace of Memory (ep) (1987)
- Dear Harry (1992)
- The Pukka Orchestra (CD reissue) (2000)