Les Jupes (Manitoba Music, @Supermarket, Nov 22)

Les Jupes have got a look. (It was hard to choose best hair in the band - eventual winner, bass player for his tussled yet all-up do). This was no fashion contest though - this was a show and they gave us one. Following an opening new number they did my introduction to them, Myth #3, as well as Someone Lit a Fire Under Kruschev. On the latter they were giving it their all considering it was song three, as the drummer was leaving his seat to pound it out and guitar was cranking up the pedals for a searing sound. Outside of this the bass/synth player was confidently holding it down and the female keyboardist also provided xylophone on the slower, steadier, mid-set One Solemn Oath. Later, on another new track, she was great in her echoing backing vocals. In what turned out to be another all-too-short set they played a hard hitting version of Myth #7 (Honour) before closing out with the slow burn into crescendo of A Caveman Returns Home to Find the Fire Has Gone Out. I've been wanting to see this band for some time now and even with the wait and the anticipation I was not disappointed. Now I just want to see them again (and have them play Awake, My Ghost!).