The Demics are considered to be the first punk rock band that originated in London Ontario. They formed in 1977 in the early days of the punk scene’s development. They regularly played shows at an old venue in town, the Blue Boot, with other rock bands of the time.
The band would come to be the defining local punk band of the era as they opened for the Ramones and signed on to a record label called Ready Records. Their debut EP, titled “Talk’s Cheap” came out in 1979. The most notable track from the project was “New York City” which became a breakthrough hit. The song was even voted by readers as “The Best Canadian Song of All Time” in a poll by Chart Magazine in 1996.
The band broke up in 1980, and vocalist Keith Whittaker died in 1996. Guitarist Rob Brent would later pass away in 2007. Though The Demics are not as well-remembered today, their music is essential to the London punk rock community. They are truly pioneers of the scene.
London (ON) Punk Rock 