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Template:Short description Template:Infobox musical artist Template:Lowercase controller.controller are a Canadian indie rock band from Toronto, Ontario. The band consisted of vocalist Nirmala Basnayake, guitarists Colwyn Llewellyn-Thomas and Scott Kaija, bassist Ronnie Morris and drummer Jeff Scheven. The band took its name from a song by Shotmaker.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

The band formed in 2002, and played their first shows using the name The Prefix. Their rhythmic post-punk style had been compared by critics to Joy Division, The Slits and Public Image Ltd.

Their debut album, History, was released on Paper Bag Records in 2004.<ref name=postcity>"Controller.Controller reunites for Wavelength, talk future and that time Bahamas opened for them". Post City, February 11, 2015.</ref><ref name="Inc.2004">Template:Cite book</ref> The follow-up album, X-Amounts, was released October 11, 2005.<ref>Template:Usurped. ChartAttack, October 6, 2006.</ref><ref name="Inc.2005">Template:Cite book</ref> Also in 2005, Basnayake participated in Ladeez Quire, an improvisational music show that also featured Sook-Yin Lee and Elisha Lim.<ref>"Quire Practice". NOW, December 15, 2005.</ref>

After the release of X-Amounts, the band went on a tour around North America and the UK to support the album.<ref name=now>"Ronnie Morris Recovery". by Kevin Ritchie May 21, 2015</ref><ref>"controller.controller Have Reunited And It Feels So Good". Noisey, Cam Lindsay Jan 8 2015</ref>

In October 2006, Basnayake decided to leave the band,<ref>"Nirmala Basnayake Talks About Leaving controller.controller". CBC Radio 3, October 3, 2006.</ref> and this resulted in its disbanding.<ref name=now /> Members Jeff Scheven and Ronnie Morris formed the new band Lioness with vocalist Vanessa Fischer in 2007,<ref name=noisey>"controller.controller Have Reunited And It Feels So Good". Noisey, January 8, 2015.</ref> while Scott Kaija formed the new band Medallions with vocalist/guitarist John Hunter, drummer Mick Jackson and Daniel Brooks.<ref name=noisey/> Basnayake remained an occasional contributor to one-off musical projects, most notably Toronto band Stop Die Resuscitate's 2009 single "Measurements".<ref>"L Communication: What's Up With Nirmala?". CBC Radio 3, May 20, 2009.</ref>

The band reunited in February 2015 for a reunion show at Sneaky Dee's, as part of the 15th anniversary of Toronto's influential Wavelength concert series.<ref>"controller.controller — Sneaky Dees, Toronto ON, February 13. Exclaim!, February 14, 2015.</ref> Shortly thereafter Morris suffered a disabling stroke.<ref name=now /><ref>Template:Usurped. Chart Attack, Richard Trapunski - Sep 16, 2015</ref>

The band reunited again in February 2024 for a show at Drake Hotel, curated by Brendan Canning. Morris has rejoined the band after recovering from strokes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Discography

• History (2004)
• X-Amounts (2005)

See also

• Music of Canada
• Canadian rock
• List of bands from Canada
• List of Canadian musicians
• Category:Canadian musical groups

External links

• [[[:Template:Allmusic]] AllMusicGuide Entry]