CMW: Dine Alone Showcase (El Mocambo, Mar 23, '12)

Not in chronological order, or any order at all really.

The Sheepdogs were rumoured to be the secret guests and were the logical choice. Following hours of speculation their manager confirmed my suspicion while taking a piss upstairs, so it was pure elation when they took the stage. They rocked as they are apt to do. Learn & Burn, The One You Belong To amongst em. I'd taken off my amateur blogger cap by this point and put on my drunk music fan bib so details are sketchy but it was fun. What do you want me to say? I Don't Know!

If The Sheepdogs epitomize '70s rock I'm not sure what era Monster Truck represent but it is unabashed, straight-ahead, loud-as-they-can-get-it, rock and roll that they play. And it's pretty darn good too. Didn't realize just how loud the upstairs of the El Mo can get until I got run over by a Monster Truck (wuh waa).  

The Apache Relay were a band I was told I was going to like. From the opening a capella intro I was into it and as the band joined in it only improved. There was an energy on stage from both the music and the members that carried back and forth with the audience. The amped violin added a stellar touch too. Found a new group in these Nashville boys.

Upstairs of the El Mo (my first time ever up there) I found the bearded Spencer playing earnest acoustic guitar before his band of slide guitar, cello, violin, drum and electric guitar also came to life. Folk music riding the swell of those instruments, Grey Kingdom was a pleasant surprise. Spencer proved to be a very amusing fellow though his candid banter as well.

Also upstairs Hacienda played a set with the endorsement of one of the Black Keys members. It was a fine little enjoyable rock set though that's about all my notes have to say about these guys.

I purposely arrived early for The Great Bloomers to see what the five piece has been up to since I last saw them years ago. They played some indie rock without much flare so unfortunately they didn't stand out in the sea of CMW.

Same goes for Dinosaur Bones as Great Bloomers. I'd seen em at last year's CMW and like some of their recorded stuff but didn't set themselves apart with this middle-of-the-line set.

Unfortunately a band I was really looking forward to catching again, Parlovr, were right before the Sheepdogs but on the other level. Having already slipped in through the out door for the 'dogs I didn't want to chance being stuck away from the special guests and therefore missed them.

Spirits, Rikers, Kristie Nicholls Band (El Mocambo, June 9, 2011)

Spirits were just a duo. While that sounds wholly underwhelming, the set was anything but! Besides they had a backing (bass?) track playing along. With both members manning vocal mics the drummer threw his curly hair around and gave us a strong beat. Meanwhile, stage left saw a stellar guitarist workin his whammy bar to the max. If the single Open the Door was great, the next song and short set closer, was really, really great!


"Fur is dead" reads the kick drum. To my disappointment this was not a political statement but a fashion one as Rikers took to the stage in fur-lined leathers. The tunes started as 80's era rock, to match their attire, with an extra helping of synth. Leading the way in the dramatic fashion of many frontmen before him, the singer engaged the crowd despite his far off look, singing with the voice of the punk rockers of the timeframe his band is shooting for. At least I hope they are shooting for it as they were bordering on parody, complete with the keyboardist wearing his sunglasses inside the very dimly lit El Mo. If I knew it was a joke I'd feel more comfortable with the schtick as I found myself anxiously amused by it. The music itself moved away from the synths into more rock territory as the short, 5 (?) song set continued. The crowd was lapping it up, easily dancing along as the repetitive hooks were a snap to find. Apparently record execs were in attendance scoping them out - I'd love to hear their take!

Kristie Nicholls Band aren't breaking new ground in the apt rock realm but at least they're doing a decent job of it. I'd liken them more to Thornley and 3 Doors Down before Theory of a Deadman. Only caught a few tunes but they knew how to play. The question remains; Which one of you dudes is Kristie?

Allo Darlin', Rob Moir (El Mocambo, June 11, 2011)

Allo Darlin' must have had a helluva day scrambling to get an entire band's worth of gear together when theirs didn't arrive from Montreal, but you wouldn't know it from their disposition. They were all smiles and even a few chuckles as both the bass player and then the guitarist missed their cue ("Can't you count?" chided the drummer). This cheeriness turned out to be a key component of the show as they delivered their brand of indie pop to a small but devoted crowd at the El Mo. Stockin' footed front woman beamed as she delivered her deliciously cute vocals and strummed her uke, swapping smiles with backing vocalist and bass player. Not only were the tracks from their debut performed well (Silver Dollars a standout) but the new material, especially title track from Europe, excites me for its fall release. The four-piece are new to the game but have already mastered the integration of other songs into their own. Weezer on my fave, Kiss Your Lips, and a non-album song that sings a chorus from Grease (as well as the un-played What Will Be Will Be). The promise of the Brit-Oz alliance's debut looks like it will blossom as the new material sounds great, and the live show is thoroughly enjoyable.


Rob Moir was all alone on stage with his acoustic and it was a good thing he had the space as he paced and staggered back and forth while delivering emphatic singer-songwriter tunes. His voice is strong and enjoyable but in a flooded market it is hard to put him head and shoulders above the rest, even if he does stand on his tip toes the entire time that he sings.