Sound Of Music: Arkells, Born Ruffians (Burlington, June 14/12)

The Arkells

The exact amount of hours they had driven home from their tour in the US to be at this show wasn't exactly known but the fact that The Arkells really, really wanted to be there was abundantly clear. Between most songs they'd shout out to Hamilton, which was basically visible across the lake, beyond the bridge as night fell on this headlining Thursday night set. Adopting Burlington as essentially their home for the Sound of Music show they also have plenty of hometown references in their songs (beyond their name which stems from the Hamiltonian street they lived on when forming). Especially Where U Goin which calls out to some Ontario highways (403, 401, 402 you're on the run) as well as Toronto, Detroit, chemical valley and McMaster's Branson Hall. Then there's the name of their debut, Jackson Square, too. And for Book Club everyone screamed "You can drive me back to Hamilton."

I'd seen the Arkells all over the place in '09 and a couple of times during the 2010 Olympics but nothing since then. Those shows were great but in the interim it appears as if the band has only gotten better. Death of the frontman? I'd beg to differ and use Max Kermin as evidence. He is the ultimate showman as he commands the crowd with confidence, singing strongly and allowing us to sing along at almost any opportunity he can. The musicians can reproduce the album to a T if they desire though they definitely take some artistic license throughout the show to add flair to a compelling show. (Like when they added in a few line cover of a recent popular song that eludes me at the moment during Pullin' Punches before a very rocking ending.) The keyboardist was perhaps the most alluring besides Max as he really gave it his all, relishing the spotlight with his harmonica solo on No Champagne Socialist and otherwise just whooping it up. At one point he had his foot on his first set of keys and banged away on the upper set.

Max made  a surprise appearance during last year's Tokyo Police Club show at Sound of Music and this year the guest was former Arkell, Dan Griffin, returning to sing and play on Agent Zero and then sticking around for much of the rest of the set. This included set closer Deadlines (that somehow had a cell-phone illuminated, This Little Light of Mine interlude) and a sweet encore of one of their best new songs, Book Club, and one of their best old songs, John Lennon. These guys are performers - and what a great "hometown" show it was!

Born Ruffians

These guys have definitely come a long was from their (super enjoyably) frenetic first EP. Luke Lalonde's vocals are incredible and Mitch's, well Mitch seems to offset those well with his extra-gruff yells. Regardless it was an entertaining show that saw them playing songs from all over their discography. They did include one brand new one, 6-5000, which seems to play to their strength as it comes to a near stop with a number of breakdowns. The trio was rounded out with a fourth member on guitar and keys and altogether it made for an enjoyable performance.

Of Gentleman and Cowards

This is a group of young guys who have some solid guitar work though they are using it to play some pretty uninspired rock at the moment. Hopefully once they gain some confidence in playing they'll branch out and write some music to stand out from the crowd. They were genuinely grateful to be playing the mainstage even if they were the first band of the night. Keep on keepin' on boys.