KEITH WHITTAKER, 1952-1996

[Chris Moorehead]

For all you folks that live outside of Toronto, you may not be aware
that Keith Whittaker, former singer/snarler for the Demics (the finest
punk band Canada ever produced) died of malignant melanoma on July 16.
(Incredible - a punk that died of a terminal suntan!)

Many of you who are relatively new to punk may not be very familiar
with the Demics, an outfit originally from London, Ontario
(mega-conservative WASPland - there was a lot to rebel against
there!), whose major claim to fame was their infamous single "New York
City" (which I'm sure everyone is familiar with). Their 1979 EP
"Talk's Cheap" was recently (1994) rereleased on CD (scary!). If you
don't own it, it's worth getting. (I have a tape of it made when it
was released, and it's now so full of dropouts I'm going to have to
spring for the CD!)

Interestingly enough, the Globe & Mail (Canada's equivalent of the
WSJ) featured an extensive obituary...

chris

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christopher J. Moorehead
Professional Engineer/Dadaist
Toronto, Canada
moor...@inforamp.net
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"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes."

- Repo Man

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[Joanie]

In article <4tln30$i...@news.inforamp.net>
moor...@inforamp.net (Chris Moorehead) writes:

> Many of you who are relatively new to punk may not be very familiar
> with the Demics, an outfit originally from London, Ontario
> (mega-conservative WASPland - there was a lot to rebel against
> there!), whose major claim to fame was their infamous single "New York
> City" (which I'm sure everyone is familiar with).

Hmm, I'm sure not new to punk but I've never heard of these guys. Were
they on any of the Smash the State compilations?

Speaking of Canadian bands, did the Poles have other good songs besides
"CN Tower"?

Joanie

[KFox357900]

The Demics were around before punk compilations became in vogue. The
Demics changed my life .. they were raw, original and definitely ahead of
their time.

When most people were grooving to Donna Summer, 'feathering' their hair
and flapping the flares on their trousers in the breeze these guys were
moving in a whole new way. (I was just a snotty nosed kid)

If anyone can't find their stuff but would like to hear them, E-Mail me
and send me a tape with SASE and I'll record you a sampling of The Demics
and other great London, Ont. bands!

Keith, Thanks for wiping my nose!

Kevin