Phono-Comb
Encyclopedia
Phono-Comb was a Canadian
instrumental
/modern surf rock group that originated in Toronto
, Ontario
.
played with Jad Fair
when he was performing in Toronto
to promote a film about his band Half Japanese
. Shadowy Men were planning a hiatus around this time, and guitarist Brian Connelly opted out of the planned followup recording project (although he is credited as a co-songwriter on all the songs). Don Pyle
and Reid Diamond invited Dallas Good of The Sadies
to step in, and 'Jad Fair & Phono-Comb' was born. They recorded a single in 1995 and a full-length album,Monsters, Lullabies...and the Occasional Flying Saucer in 1996. After this recording, Fair returned to his solo career, and the remaining trio recorded an instrumental single. In 1996, they added Beverly Breckenridge
(of Fifth Column) on bass, and Reid Diamond switched over to guitar. As a quartet, they recorded a CD, Fresh Gasoline with Steve Albini
producing. The band toured throughout North America and one of their songs was featured on the soundtrack of the documentary film Pitch
. Reid Diamond died of cancer
in February 2001.
Phono-Comb:
Phono-Comb:
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...
instrumental
Instrumental rock
Instrumental rock is a type of rock music which emphasizes musical instruments, and which features very little or no singing.Examples of instrumental rock can be found in practically every subgenre of rock, often from musicians who specialize in the style, most notably Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Link...
/modern surf rock group that originated 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...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
History
Phono-Comb first materialized when Shadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetShadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet
Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet were a Juno Award-winning Canadian instrumental rock band, formed in 1984. They remain best-known for the track "Having an Average Weekend," which was used as the theme to the Canadian sketch comedy TV show The Kids in the Hall...
played with Jad Fair
Jad Fair
Jad Fair is an American singer, guitarist and graphic artist, most famous for being a founding member of lo-fi alternative rock group Half Japanese.-Biography:In 1974, with his brother David, Jad Fair founded the lo-fi group Half Japanese...
when he was performing 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...
to promote a film about his band Half Japanese
Half Japanese
Half Japanese is a punk rock band formed by brothers Jad and David Fair in their Coldwater, Michigan bedroom around 1975. Their original instrumentation included a small drum set, which they took turns playing; vocals; and an out of tune guitar...
. Shadowy Men were planning a hiatus around this time, and guitarist Brian Connelly opted out of the planned followup recording project (although he is credited as a co-songwriter on all the songs). Don Pyle
Don Pyle
Don Pyle is a Canadian record producer and musician, who has been a member of a number of bands.His first, from 1979 to 1981, was a punk band called Crash Kills Five. They released one EP in 1980, What Do You Do At Night?. It was in this four piece band that he first played with two members, Reid...
and Reid Diamond invited Dallas Good of The Sadies
The Sadies
The Sadies are a Canadian indie rock and alternative country band from Toronto, Ontario.-Background:The band consists of Dallas Good , Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky...
to step in, and 'Jad Fair & Phono-Comb' was born. They recorded a single in 1995 and a full-length album,Monsters, Lullabies...and the Occasional Flying Saucer in 1996. After this recording, Fair returned to his solo career, and the remaining trio recorded an instrumental single. In 1996, they added Beverly Breckenridge
Beverly Breckenridge
Beverly Breckenridge is a musician, composer, and actress from Toronto, Ontario. She played bass for the bands Fifth Column and Phono-Comb.In 1986, Beverly Breckenridge joined the post-punk experimental band Fifth Column...
(of Fifth Column) on bass, and Reid Diamond switched over to guitar. As a quartet, they recorded a CD, Fresh Gasoline with Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
producing. The band toured throughout North America and one of their songs was featured on the soundtrack of the documentary film Pitch
Pitch (film)
A pitch is a concise verbal presentation of an idea for a film or TV series generally made by a screenwriter or director to a producer or studio executive in the hope of attracting development finance to pay for the writing of a screenplay."Pitch" is a contraction of the phrase "sales pitch"...
. Reid Diamond died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in February 2001.
Members
Jad Fair & Phono-Comb:- Jad FairJad FairJad Fair is an American singer, guitarist and graphic artist, most famous for being a founding member of lo-fi alternative rock group Half Japanese.-Biography:In 1974, with his brother David, Jad Fair founded the lo-fi group Half Japanese...
- vocals - Dallas Good - guitar, also with The SadiesThe SadiesThe Sadies are a Canadian indie rock and alternative country band from Toronto, Ontario.-Background:The band consists of Dallas Good , Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky...
- Don PyleDon PyleDon Pyle is a Canadian record producer and musician, who has been a member of a number of bands.His first, from 1979 to 1981, was a punk band called Crash Kills Five. They released one EP in 1980, What Do You Do At Night?. It was in this four piece band that he first played with two members, Reid...
- drums, formerly with Shadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetShadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetShadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet were a Juno Award-winning Canadian instrumental rock band, formed in 1984. They remain best-known for the track "Having an Average Weekend," which was used as the theme to the Canadian sketch comedy TV show The Kids in the Hall... - Reid Diamond - bass, formerly with Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet
Phono-Comb:
- Dallas Good - guitar
- Don PyleDon PyleDon Pyle is a Canadian record producer and musician, who has been a member of a number of bands.His first, from 1979 to 1981, was a punk band called Crash Kills Five. They released one EP in 1980, What Do You Do At Night?. It was in this four piece band that he first played with two members, Reid...
- drums - Reid Diamond - bass, switching to guitar when Beverly Breckenridge joined the band.
- Beverly BreckenridgeBeverly BreckenridgeBeverly Breckenridge is a musician, composer, and actress from Toronto, Ontario. She played bass for the bands Fifth Column and Phono-Comb.In 1986, Beverly Breckenridge joined the post-punk experimental band Fifth Column...
- bass, formerly with Fifth Column
Discography
Jad Fair & Phono-Comb:- In A Haunted House 7" Derivative Records, 1995
- Monsters, Lullabies...and the Occasional Flying Saucer, CD, 1996, Shake the Record
Phono-Comb:
- The Crass And The Switchblade 7" Touch & GoTouch and Go RecordsTouch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
/QuarterstickQuarterstick Records-Artists:*Bad Livers*Calexico*DK3*Dead Child*June of 44*Kepone*The Mekons*Mi Ami*Peter Móren *Mule*Naked Raygun*Tara Jane O'Neil*Pegboy*Phono-Comb*Rachel's*Rodan*Henry Rollins*Shipping News*Sholi*The Sonora Pine*Therapy?...
, 1996 - Fresh Gasoline, Touch & Go/Quarterstick, 1996
External links
- Southern Records' Phono-Comb biography
- Fresh Gasoline Review
- The Shadowy Site On A Shadowy Web (Unofficial Shadowy Men Home Page with a section on Phono-Comb)