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.
History The 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."Controller.Controller reunites for Wavelength, talk future and that time Bahamas opened for them". Post City, February 11, 2015. The follow-up album, X-Amounts, was released October 11, 2005.. ChartAttack, October 6, 2006. Also in 2005, Basnayake participated in Ladeez Quire, an improvisational music show that also featured Sook-Yin Lee and Elisha Lim."Quire Practice". NOW, December 15, 2005.
After the release of X-Amounts, the band went on a tour around North America and the UK to support the album."Ronnie Morris Recovery". by Kevin Ritchie May 21, 2015"controller.controller Have Reunited And It Feels So Good". Noisey, Cam Lindsay Jan 8 2015
In October 2006, Basnayake decided to leave the band,"Nirmala Basnayake Talks About Leaving controller.controller". CBC Radio 3, October 3, 2006. and this resulted in its disbanding. Members Jeff Scheven and Ronnie Morris formed the new band Lioness with vocalist Vanessa Fischer in 2007,"controller.controller Have Reunited And It Feels So Good". Noisey, January 8, 2015. while Scott Kaija formed the new band Medallions with vocalist/guitarist John Hunter, drummer Mick Jackson and Daniel Brooks. Basnayake remained an occasional contributor to one-off musical projects, most notably Toronto band Stop Die Resuscitate's 2009 single "Measurements"."L Communication: What's Up With Nirmala?". CBC Radio 3, May 20, 2009.
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."controller.controller — Sneaky Dees, Toronto ON, February 13. Exclaim!, February 14, 2015. Shortly thereafter Morris suffered a disabling stroke.. Chart Attack, Richard Trapunski - Sep 16, 2015
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.
Discography History (2004) X-Amounts (2005)
See also
Music of Canada Canadian rock List of bands from Canada List of Canadian musicians :Category:Canadian musical groups
References
External links [ AllMusicGuide Entry]