| New Regime | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Years Active: | – |
| Label: | RCA |
| Past Members: |
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New Regime was a Canadian new wave band, active from 1982 to 1987.[1] They released two albums on RCA Records during their lifetime, and toured as an opening act for Platinum Blonde in 1985.[2]
The band was initially formed by vocalist Kevin Connelly, drummer Neil Taylor, and bassist Jon James who were high school friends. along with guitarist Bill Telep.[3] Telep soon left the band, and was replaced by Les Stroud at the same time as keyboardist Tim Durnford joined; both Stroud and Durford had previously been collaborators with Connelly in a short-lived David Bowie tribute band, The Diamond Dogs.[3] They along with James later left due to creative differences, and the band added bassist Rick Lintlop, guitarist Norm McMullen, and keyboardist Russell Walker.[1]
Signed to RCA in 1984,[4] they released their self-titled debut album in 1985.[5] The album spawned the radio singles "Seduction", "Love in Motion", "Fools Cry" and "Treasure". "Seduction" peaked at #80 in the RPM singles chart the week of August 20, 1985,[6] while none of the other singles charted. The album was also modestly successful on the Canadian charts, peaking at #87 in the RPM100 albums chart in the week of July 20, 1985.[7] Producer Terry Brown was nominated for Producer of the Year at the Juno Awards of 1985 for his work on the album.[8]
On December 31, 1985, the band played a New Year's Eve show at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, as the opening act on a bill that also included Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Thompson Twins.[9]
Walker and Lintlop were subsequently replaced by keyboardist Jim McDonald, formerly of Rational Youth, and bassist Rob Laidlaw.[3] This lineup completed and toured behind the band's 1987 album The Race, which added some hard rock elements to the band's sound and was produced by Steve Webster.[10] The album's lead single "Love and Satisfaction" also charted in RPM, peaking at #67 in the week of October 10, 1987.[11]
The band provided the soundtrack to Season 4 Episode 4 (Roots and Wings) of the Canadian TV series Danger Bay while also appearing in concert footage playing a fictional band called "Love Puppies" that the main characters go to see. The episode first aired on October 28, 1987.[12]
The band broke up following The Race.[3] Connelly reemerged in the 1990s with the solo album Son of the Sun[13] before mounting a touring David Bowie tribute show titled "Life On Mars: The Sound and Vision of David Bowie" in the 2000s.[14]
