The Diodes

The floor at Sneaky Dee’s threatened to buckle under the weight of the excited crowd that had gathered to welcome back Toronto punk marvels the Diodes after 30 years since they first introduced the city to their contagious delirium of pop infused pins-and-needles punk. Vocalist Paul Robinson easily commanded the stage, feeding the energy back into the audience by jamming the microphone stand into the ceiling and punctuating his lyrics with a piercing gaze. With arrangements that defy punk’s derivative three-chord stance, the Diodes played favourites like “Tired of Waking Up Tired” and “Tennis (Again),” as the fervour grew. As soon as it was over there was a wane in the room’s energy as it sunk in that this homecoming was all too short. Hopefully the Diodes will return again soon.