I said in the introductory blurb when I set this site up a couple of years ago that in addition to Numan material I would make an effort to post other related bands, not necessarily limited to those with an electronic bent. Here's one such example. I was recently sent this file by a chap called Mark, a fellow enthusiast of live, unofficial material.
I am sure I have heard of The Diodes, but I would freely admit that I knew sod all about them and I certainly had not heard them. So, it was necessary to do a bit of digging in order to figure out what they were about. What I gleaned, primarily from Wikpedia was that they were a 'new wave' band hailing from Canada who formed a little before punk first hit the shores of North America (at least if you are in the camp that punk was a UK export!)
Their musical pedigree is such that I could just as well have posted this recording on the 'punkier' Stranglers' blog site as posted it here. This recording is from the famed San Francisco punk venue, Mabuhay Gardens, it being a second home to many bands in the city's Bay area, such as the Dead Kennedys. The Diodes also played on the same bill as other renowned Californian hardcore bands such as Agent Orange and the Circle Jerks. Why then post this on a Numan orientated site you may ask... and its a good question. Well, as well as fitting in with the hardcore scene, back on home turf in Canada they were a big enough name to open for incoming British (and Irish) bands including Ultravox and U2, bands which by 1980 had long ditched punk. It just so happens that The Diodes additionally opened for Numan on two dates in Canada in the North American leg of the 'Teletour'. A search on Google would indicate that these dates were at the Max Bell Arena in Calgary in 11th November 1980 and at Kinsmen Field House in Edmonton the following night. I would imagine that with just five months between this gig and the Numan supports, there is a good chance that similar sets were played, but I cannot vouch for this. And presumably they played in addition to fellow Canadian, Nash The Slash, on these dates.
That a band like The Diodes opened for Numan is indicative of now diverse the UK and US music scene was at that time. Just think of the line up in the excellent documentary 'Urgh! A Music War' that also featured the likes of Numan and OMD alongside Dead Kennedys (on film not soundtrack), Oingo Boingo and Klaus Nomi!
So, not the normal fare but relevant no less.
Thanks again to Mark for the share.
Artwork: https://we.tl/t-X8OSVW7Xt86FLWej
