TV on the Radio on the stage (Sound Academy, April 18)

TV on the Radio are known for their off kilter and unconventional approach to indie music. Somehow following five excellent albums I'd yet to take in a live performance. That all changed Monday night at the Sound Academy as I witnessed first hand what these guys can do. From the get-go it was apparent that this would be a strong and loud display of their musicianship. Each of the six on-stage members seemed to be jangling something off the top, whether it be bells, tambourine or wind chimes hanging off guitar heads (and being played off the drum set's cymbals). This was for opener Young Liars which proved that the fresh-on-tour band were in a pleasant mood. Next up was the Wrong Way from the album that first caught my attention, Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes. 


I'd never really thought of TVOTR as a loud band but they were coming across as such this evening with amped up guitars and the squelch of that signature trombone throughout. It was an earnest performance, especially on new tracks like Will Do. When Kyp Malone took over for Red Dress it was a welcome change of pace and he didn't disappoint, even pulling off a superb guitar solo despite a busted hanging string.

The set list may not have been exactly what I wanted to hear but that's probably my own fault for taking so long to get out and see them (the Dear Science tour must have been fabulous). Alas the final three songs of the night were blissful. This trifecta began with an absolutely thrilling version of Staring at the Sun that was sped up and had the sunshine of the strobe lights blinding us. The performance by the lead singer Tunde Adibimpe on Repetition was commendable and it was impressive that he had the energy left for set closer, Wolf Like Me. There's a basketball saying about leaving it all on the floor, and he did just that. In fact he had to be literally carried off stage by two bandmates at the end of the set.

Despite this, the band dug deep for a much cheered for encore of a further three songs, once the singer's glasses - lost in the closing melee - were recovered from the stage. A Method saw the guitars completely abandoned for heaps of percussion and some keys - a stand out that demanded audience participation. Bright Lights took it down a notch but built it right back up again. 


And although I'd been looking forward to putting on my Dancing Choose and doing the No Future Shock I still can't say I'm at all disappointed with the alternatives.



Lissy Trullie
Openers Lissy Trullie were a female fronted, four piece indie rock band reminiscent of those you'd hear in the 90s. Her voice was strong but not particularly pleasant and the songs themselves were dull and somewhat repetitive. It wasn't horrible but definitely didn't leave me yearning to hear any more.

Hollerado, Hollerado, Hollerado (PCH @ UoGuelph, Apr 1)

Hollerado get an A+. While taking in their spectacle in the University of Guelph's basement I considered how this show would grade on Chartattack's annual "CMW Report Cards".

First there was the crowd interaction. If music doesn't work out for them (which it obviously will) then comedy could be a line of work. With cheeky lines and boyish energy they took cracks at everyone from themselves to the Republican party and kept the show rolling for their entire allotted time (and even beyond - playing an extra song beyond their timeslot).

Secondly the music was gosh-darn great. They've got one legit album out, the so-damn-literal Record In a Bag full of great tunes that they played like opener Juliette and Hard Love, but as they proved this does not come close to comprising their entire catalog. It also includes self-professed cheesy sing-alongs, and newly minted songs that are so new they had to pause to remember the chords. (They then ripped through On My Way to Shanghai so loud and fast in the dark that whether or not they got them right it sounded pretty sweet.)

Even the visuals and stage-use were something as the only time you'd take your eyes off the guys standing on top of their drum set or having a dueling guitar circle was when confetti exploded from side stage sending shrieks and cheers throughout the crowd.

Speaking of the young, university audience - they usually don't show much emotion in this notoriously energy-free venue but this set pulled them in. Even before Hollerado invited a Dinosaur Bones member on-stage to drop a freestyle rhyme people were clapping and dancing along.

All told it was a high energy display of party rock rooted in big, classic guitar riffs. If you like the band at all, or like a party, you'll effin' love these guys after a show!