Pukka Orchestra

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. The band had chart hits in Canada with "Cherry Beach Express", "Might As Well Be On Mars" and a cover of Tom Robinson's "Listen to the Radio".

Following that album, however, Williamson developed kidney problems and moved to Scotland to be with his family. In 1985, several 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, the band broke up.

In 1992, Pukka Orchestra released their final album "Dear Harry", consisting of three tracks from the 1987 EP, and several other tracks from the abortive 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.

Discography

* "The Pukka Orchestra" (1984)
* "The Palace of Memory" (ep) (1987)
* "Dear Harry" (1992)
* "The Pukka Orchestra" (CD reissue) (2000)