Kinetic Ideals

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Kinetic Ideals was a Canadian new wave band in the early 1980s from Mississauga, Ontario. They released several EPs on the Mannequin record label. At least one of their releases was produced by Brett Wickens, founding member of popular Canadian new romantic music group Spoons.

Brett Wickens left the Spoons to work with Peter Saville Associates in London, England, designing album artwork for some of the most notable UK bands of the time, including OMD, Joy Division, New Order, and Roxy Music. As the popularity of Kinetic Ideals grew in the Toronto underground scene in 1980, Brett convinced Peter Saville Associates to design the cover for their most successful EP, Reason.

With the release of Reason in 1981, Mike Rullman (vocals), Jean-Claude Chambers (guitars), Alan Murrell (bass), and Jon Davies (drums), found themselves in the media limelight. Described as Canada's answer to Joy Division, they were now receiving critical acclaim in the media, along with airplay in Canada, the US, Great Britain and in Europe. Their new-found notoriety garnered prized opening slots with bands including A Teardrop Explodes, The Stranglers, and Gang of Four. The single "Animalistic" topped the dance-club charts in Toronto in 1981, and was a live-show favourite.

Riding the success of the Reason EP, Kinetic Ideals toured Canada, the U.S., and played several showcase gigs in London, England. While Kinetic Ideals were on tour in England, drummer Jon Davies was struck by an automobile just after sound-check for a gig at the 101 Club. He did not return to Canada with Kinetic Ideals, and though the band tried several incarnations with drum machines and replacement drummers, along with several subsequent vinyl releases, the magic that had propelled them into the spotlight with Reason was gone.

After 4 more years of trying to recapture and surpass the success of Reason, Kinetic Ideals officially disbanded in 1986.