by Jason MacNeil
This Toronto-area band formed in the fall of 2002 when guitarist Ronnie Morris was seeking members for a group. From there, drummer Jeff Scheven and Colwyn Llewellyn-Thomas joined. After deciding to add a second guitarist, the group added Scott Kaija, and Morris moved to bass. But the group took shape when lead singer Nirmala Basnayake, a friend who hung out at the band's early jam sessions, joined. Basnayake's Debbie Harry-like vocals went over well during the group's shows in Toronto in the early part of 2003. After performing at the North by Northeast Festival and becoming critical darlings among Toronto-area critics, the band was signed to Paper Bag Records, the label that launched bands such as Broken Social Scene and Stars. In early 2004, the group released their debut EP, History, featuring seven dance-inspired tracks. The group also headlined various shows as well as opened for Franz Ferdinand among others. In 2005, the group toured Britain with fellow Canadian band Death from Above 1979. Their second album, X-Amounts, followed in March 2006.