Shout Out Out Out Out, Cookie Duster - CMW - Horseshoe (Mar 23/13)

Shout Out Out Out Out

My first time seeing SO4 outside of Guelph/Waterloo and there was a difference. Sure you still had the double drumset, the mountains of gear upon which knobs were cranked, turned and pushed, and a couple bass guitars to boot, but there was an electricity in the crowd too. Saturday night at the Horseshoe for CMW with extended drinking hours, not to mention the warm-up provided by Badbadnotgood all factored into it but the crowd itself played a huge role. The band even said that outside of their hometown of Edmonton that Toronto is the craziest place they love to play - something only a few bands would admit. Having only a showcase timeslot, despite it being 1:30 in the morning they ripped a mixed handful of songs from their three discs, including a couple from their debut - Dude, You Feel Electrical and sneaking in In the End It's Your Friends at the very end. High energy, high volume, high kicks - this show had everything you could ask for in a Shout Out Out Out Out show and more. (The more being a bunch of sweaty moshing dudes deciding to take their shirts off, off, off, off.)

Cookie Duster

The band started before Broken Social Scene and are just now getting their chance to play things out with the BSS hiatus. That big of a gap shows the age to some degree as Brendan Canning isn't the spry chicken he once was. They opened with Cut Me, Focus which sounded fine but didn't break down any barriers. Similarly later in the set Brendan Canning took the lead, both guitar and vocals, for Something Evil Again and although it sounded fine it was not groundbreaking. Leading lady did her best at the rock star persona however cheers'ing with water and non-believably calling us mother-f*ckers didn't really back that up while singing Two Feet Stand Up. Altogether there was nothing terrible about the set however having to say that means there wasn't much that endeared either.

Aidan Knight, Andy Shauf - Young Lions Exclusive Apt Show - CMW (Mar 23/13)

Andy Shauf

In a living room overlooking Lee's Palace people crowded around for the just announced members-only gig. Andy Shauf took to the 'stage' (perched on an amp near the end of the room) and played a string of songs on his acoustic guitar. His subdued voice worked for the low key set, though at moments we did have to strain to hear him over some Bloor Street traffic filtering through the ajar patio door. Slightly awkwardly he asked the audience if they had any questions a few time, I suppose in an effort to get to know him in the intimate setting. The lyrics were intimate and amusing the tale of the smoking hometown hero was particularly enjoyable. Perhaps six songs later they made way for the Friendly Friends who were set to bring the energy up a little.

Aidan Knight and the Friendly Friends

And friendly they were! The band's namesake was also seated, surrounded by his female vocalist/horn section, violin/bass/guitarist, drummer and the unseen keyboardist at the bottom of the stairs. The opening couple numbers from last years excellent Small Reveal serve as a nice opening and so they proceeded. The music came across very nicely in the intimate setting and people crammed into the room to attentively listen. It is really well written music that comes to life with these six musicians, even if they were forced to be seated/still due to the room's constraints. Even the cover tune worked in well. The blaring brass really complements the guitar work and insistent drumming to bring it all to life. That being said, the final song with just Aidan and his guitar singing Margaret Downe brought it alive too, albeit in another way altogether.

Aidan Knight, BadBadNotGood - Horseshoe CMW (Mar 24/13)

Badbadnotgood

The uber-talented rapscallions of Badbadnotgood played a mix of covers and originals, where the newer ones tended toward free jazz and were harder to dance to due to their unpredictable time signatures. The drummer, keyboardist and bass player were joined on more than a couple numbers by a sax player who was well-loved by the crowd. What isn't to enjoy from these promising (and grateful) youngsters bringing a fresh sound to the indie scene? By the end, following a friend of the band's invited stage dive things really took off. Yes, there was pandemonium in the pit at a jazz show. How badass is that Toronto?

Aidan Knight

Notable differences between the afternoon, apartment show and this were the volume and the energy Aidan could bring us from a standing position with the sound system turned up. The set remainder much the same though time constraints cut their cover (by audience vote) in favour of closing with Knitting Something Nice (Margaret Downe wouldn't have held up to a Saturday night Horseshoe CMW crowd anyhow). It was You Will See the Good in Everyone that most impressed this fan though. Now a little more banter while you change your tuning between every song and some playlist variation and I'll be able to say Aidan Knight is the new Dan Mangan.

Rah Rah, Two Hours Traffic, July Talk, Balconies - Lee's (CMW Mar 21/13)

Rah Rah

As far as I'm concerned Rah Rah stole the show, as they have been known to do. Their energy and stage presence serves them well as they swap vocals, places and instruments throughout the set with mostly seamless transitions. Erin Passmore was slightly under the weather and it showed but only slightly as the other female, Kristina Hedlund, pointed out how great she could sound even while sick. Kristina's own song with leading vocals on the other hand sounded amiss, without explanation. Duet for Emmylou ramped up the fairly full Lee's Palace crowd early and they stuck with them through 20's and onto First Kiss, the closer that came complete with Rah Rah balloons.

Two Hours Traffic
Perhaps it is Two Hours Traffic fatigue, or the fact that they didn't include a whole lot of new material, but it seemed like a run of the mill set from the band. Mind you that still means catchy hooks and sweet guitar melodies, there just wasn't much to push their 35 minute showcase over the edge. The fact that it was a CMW showcase probably explains the leaning on go-to's like Stuck for the Summer and closer Heroes of the Sidewalk but for longtime fans it left just a little to be desired. We wanted to hear more of Foolish Blood but would have to be content with the four, including Audrey, Magic and top track Amour than Amis.

July Talk
Four relatively non-descript guys assembled on stage to close out the night. (Okay they're describable - the drummer looked like the not-homeless movie star from Arrested Development and the lead singer had the bad boy look down, or maybe that was based on his behaviour.) The singer started up with his gravelly, punk voice (think Tom Waits) and the musicians backed him and then strutted in the lady of the hour. What a presence she had as she came in, an enchanting visage. Then she sang and I realized that under that brown, fur jacket, jean shorts, fishnets, and white shades was a voice to offset that growl nicely. As hinted, the lead singer was quite mischievous, pushing his guitarist around, kissing band members on the cheek, and playfully tugging at the lady's eclectic apparel. At one point the two with the mics knelt down to worship at the feet of their guitarist who laid down an excellent solo. It wasn't the set I was expecting having listened to a couple songs in preparation but it was highly entertaining. Another hometown band to cheer on.

The Balconies

You could hear her from the short line on Bloor as The Balconies Leading Lady started up in full rock star mode. She sure can command a crowd with her dancing thighs, wild eyes and whipped black hair; her antics really proved how she could soak up the limelight. The 4 piece band weren't too shabby either as they rocked hard in a grungy, 80's-rock way, laying on thick bass lines. In their denim vests and jackets they performed a show that was full-on and won over many in the surprisingly packed Lee's Palace.