Artist:Pukka Orchestra
Song:Listen to the Radio
Album:Pukka Orchestra
The Canadian band Pukka Orchestra had a chance to be a big deal. But bad luck got in the way and nothing much happened after their 1984 cover of Peter Gabriel's Listen to the Radio was a top 20 hit in Canada. They were formed in Toronto in 1979 by lead singer Graeme Williamson and guitarists Neil Chapman and Tony Duggan-Smith. The name comes from the Hindi word pukka meaning genuine. Duggan-Smith's grandfather used the word when he was harbormaster in Calcutta. When Duggan-Smith told him about the band, he said don't bother with a mediocre band, be in a "Pukka Orchestra". At the time, Toronto had a lively New Wave scene and those musicians played with Pukka Orchestra. After self releasing a 1981 single, the band signed with Solid Gold Records owned by concert promoters Neill Dixon and Steve Propas. Chilliwack was on that label. The 1984 album Pukka Orchestra was produced by veteran producer Eugene Martynec. With the exception of Listen to the Radio, the band wrote all the songs. Then while Listen to the Radio was going up the charts, Solid Gold was having financial problems. After Pukka Orchestra won a CASBY award for Most Promising Newcomer, Solid Gold declared bankruptcy. Then while visiting family in Scotland, Williamson developed kidney problems and received dialysis treatment. A benefit concert was held at Toronto's Bamboo Club to help pay Williamson's expenses. He got a kidney transplant and returned to Toronto. By that time, Pukka Orchestra was finished though they did release a 1987 single followed by a 1992 album. It's too bad as they had potential. This album was re-released in 2000 and is available as a digital download. Williamson moved to Scotland and died in 2020. Chapman joined The Sattalites and formed NeoTone with Duggan-Smith. They participated in a 2003 Pukka Orchestra reunion. Here's the video for Listen to the Radio by Pukka Orchestra.
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