Toronto troubadour Chris A. Cummings (Marker Starling, formerly Mantler) has been playing Melancholy Party Jams since 1999. A solo performer for many years, his preferred weapons were a Wurltizer electric piano and an early pre-programmed drum machine. Diamond Violence is his 8th studio album and features collaborations with Dorothea Paas (US Girls), Peter Zummo (Arthur Russell).