Sound of Music - Burlington (June 15/14)

The festival this year had a serious case of Dad-rock which was fitting for it was Father's Day.

Flash Lightnin'
Perhaps the least dad-rocking this young Toronto three-piece has been rawking out for a few years now with the guitar chops to show for it. Arriving partway through I was pleased to catch their eponymous cut although it didn't have quite as much growl as I've seen, and loved, in the past. Despite that it was a solid outing and I had myself scratching my head why I haven't caught them more often in their regular digs at The Dakota Tavern - a perfect place for this scruffy rock'n'roll.

The Stampeders
These guys had good humour and good cheer, playing through some of their own familiar tunes and some classic covers. It wasn't outstanding but it was a solid start.

Fred Penner
My sister and I both stopped at the same time - "that sounds familiar." No doubt it was for it was the soundtrack of our childhood in Fred Penner. From afar he remixed The Cat Came Back into Crabbuckit as a lesson in chords to the kids, wound in another track or two, then brought it all back around.

Ashley MacIsaac
What good timing to catch that one tune from the street. When it was popular, when I was a child, I felt like it was the butt of the joke more often than respected as a song but it really wasn't too bad.

Chilliwack
There are some bands that just keep ticking and then there are others that should know when to call it quits. Some parts of this were cringeworthy, primarily when the singer just could not get near where he needed to on his vocals. Aside from that it was fine but really nothing to make it standout (I only half recognized a couple near the end.)

Trooper
On the way back from the pier the signature Here for a Good Time could be heard ringing out over the water - a fitting way to start a show, of course, but disappointing to miss. Especially as the core of the set seemed to lull along in standard rock. The band did seem to have some swagger (and not just for their age) but it was hard to see with all the people jamming the grounds. Rather than stick it out, plus I may have forgotten about Raise a Little Hell, we up and left in favour of a vegan ice cream sandwich.

Sound of Music Festival, Burlington (June 15/13)

Dan Griffin
Tucked off the main strip Dan Griffin, best know as a former member of the Arkells, was about to begin a set of music under his own name. I hadn't heard any of his music but was open to what appeared would be a solo male acoustic set. Often times this is a yawn, with so many only moderately talented men attempting this and failing to engage. But not Dan. Dan had a snide confidence that endeared the smallish but engaged crowd seated around the tables and chairs. His music was performed solely on the guitar but had some heart to it and he lyrics told relatable stories, plus had a damn good Dylan impression. Besides that his banter was random and amusing, allowing him to win me over easily. A fine set that really turned me on to his music. Often I'm looking for an escape after a couple of singer songwriter's songs but in this case I will go out of my way to watch him again. 

Ill Scarlett
Ill Scarlett seem not to have changed much in their years since the mild success of All Day With It. In fact they are still a few months from the release of their next album so the set still pulled from the aforementioned primarily. Perhaps it is me and my musical tastes that have changed but the punk rock reggae sound doesn't draw me all that much these days. That said the live show, and the energy of the performers did draw me back, at least momentarily, to those raucous late nights of especially youthful partying and road trips. It truly was enjoyable, even if the majority of that was for nostalgia. A nice touch was their loyal Nirvana opening into Nothing Special. Granted I caught only a couple off the top as well as a few near the end, like Mary Jane, but it was decent fun.

Abrams Brothers
There seemed to be a gaggle of Abrams Brothers playing your classic folk country assortment of instruments. However where I was expecting touches of Mumford and Sons I really was getting mostly country and not much to catch my ear. Mind you the distraction of friends whose catching up was in my ear may have played into that. 

USS
A hype squad the boys in USS have unbelievable stage presence. Their music is undeniably upbeat and fun too but their onstage antics really push the point across. These guys were literally bounding across the stage, doing round-offs and headstands. Actually the headstand was while clapping his feet AND reaching up to scratch a record on the table - impressive! It's all over the top right down to the dressed up Santa doll but it sure is fun.

Royal Wood
Royal sets the tone in his fashion. An elegant, romantic set of music awaits as you sit down to watch and he sits down to play. From the piano bench he can bring such emotion forward and draw it out of the audience. This show was no difference. Being an afternoon set at the Sound of Music festival the crowd was primarily middle aged parents but the music touches home with most anyone with a heart, for friends, family, loved ones. Stay classy.

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.

Hollerado, Tokyo Police Club, Paper Lions (Burlington Music Festival, June 18, 2011)

Paper Lions fit perfectly on the bill with Hollerado and TPC. Four piece outta Charlottetown playing poppy indie rock with gusto. Trouble has a different sound than most of their stuff, slowing things down with some piano but it works on me, and Gene Simmons too. For a stellar example of their go-to strengths look no further than their live performance of Travelling. And for a hint of nostalgia and fun they brought out a Pete Gabe cover, Solsbury Hill which added another dimension to the set.


Hollerado appear to have the life. Every night is a celebration on stage complete with confetti, friends, beer and of course great music! The show was much the same as last time in Guelph, with a few more tunes added in to round out the hour, including another throwback cover similar to Paper Lions before them - this time with Young's Rockin' in the Free World. Also there were a tonne more people to revel in the party so the band were obviously having a blast and feeding off the energy and it made it even that much better.


Tokyo Police Club have super duper catchy songs. I've always found that the live show doesn't quite do them justice - not to say it isn't enjoyable, it's just not super duper enjoyable. That being said I caught the opening few numbers but having just seen them in Guelph (still need to blog review that one.. half finished on my ipod for 3 months) I went for a quick wander of the fairgrounds before returning for the final couple songs of the closing main stage set of the Saturday night Sound of Music Festival. I wasn't disappointed in doing this! They were joined by Max from The Arkells for a rumbling rendition of Your English is Good. The encore was ridiculous. All band members were paged to the stage so joining the Club were Max again, and most of Hollerado too. A three-way, three-tambo, toss ensued, as well as following suit of the previous acts they busted out a throwback cover which saw anyone grabbing a mic to belt out the lyrics to Petty's American Girl. Already beaming at the sight I burst out laughing as the scene turned into Hollerado singer, Menno, rolling somersaults across the stage. Pretty much amazing!