Dan Griffin, Nick Rose, Jay McCarrol - Dakota (Aug 7/13)

Dan Griffin
It was a highly anticipated show from Mr. Dan Griffin as his previous Dakota had left many disappointed when it sold out ahead of time. Backed by The Regrets, he played a fairly extensive selection of music his old offering Leave Your Love. These included The Fire with some massive feedback before the quickstop ending, Stars and Satellites, Leave Your Love, and some shaker for Lorne Park. He started a sampling of an older tune and faded the "fall in love" chorus into Emily. As well there were new, upbeat tunes and some from the Bordertown EP, including the title track.

As an encore he returned with Come Back Home and then with Tyler Kite and Nick Rose they played the old Tom Petty jam, You Wreck Me.

It may have slightly underwhelmed the expectations but his Dylan impression still ain't half bad.

Nick Rose
Another solo set was to follow, this from Nick Rose who has been seen primarily with Dwayne Gretzky, Toronto's premier cover band. On this eve he would not be dipping into others works however but displaying his own, played on an acoustic guitar. They were relatively straightforward sonically while the lyrics were quirky and oddball. He sang about his above average number of arms, since a small but real amount of people have only one, or even no arms, while essentially nobody has three or more. For the record Nick has two arms which he used to play his guitar rather nicely underneath this frivolity. 

Jay McCarrol
Jay McCarrol began the night, introduced by the headliner, and proceeded with a solo piano show. It was an impressive display with the downfall being the early set so people were still arriving and catching up, therefore not providing the attention deserved. Jay even had to call us out with a couple songs remaining and plead for some attention. Even his Swing Lo Magellan cover, great as it was fought for the airwaves. All who did pay him respect were rewarded sonically; very lovely.

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.

Arkells +Darcys, +Lights (CNE Aug 29/12)

The Darcys were the warm-up act and were doing a decent job of it. A 5 piece with a side stage drummer and two members who both played the keyboards and the guitar - sometimes on the same song. They had a downbeat prog drum sound on second last song Shaking Down the Old Bones. There were some prog-like elements coming through in the guitar too on the finale. Perhaps it wasn't the ideal venue for a band like this but they showed some musical prowess to a solid amount of people so that's gotta be a win.

Oh the Arkells are coming. All around Ontario this summer the Arkells were pumping out party anthems and having fun with their crowds. No different this time around they rocked out jams new and old. So new, in fact, they debuted one fittingly about Labour Day and in a very Joel Plaskett-like style rhymed about the QEW which they affectionately referred to as the Queen Lizzy. They also put another song to rest - hopefully forever.. Calling it the send-off from the summer they faded from Abigail into an introduction as the final time that the song should ever be heard and yes-they-did cover Call Me Maybe. Hilariously however, verses and all (who knew there were any verses?). Yet again Dan Griffin, or should I say Agent Zero, joined them as they literally "turned the lights down low". For On Paper Max couldn't ignore the sign reading "My name's Laura - you can't ignore it" and flashed it on stage before rounding out the set with Whistleblower.

The encore would have been a predictable three songs that again included Hall & Oates and John Lennon except they had a guest in Lights sing alone for a tune. Bit of a preview as they recently announced a tour with her coming right up. Hopefully they keep the collaboration going as it worked like a charm.

Elwins, Dwayne Gretzky (Lee's Palace July 6/12)

The Elwins secured the opening slot for the evening. They played a pretty standard set of music from their initial LP And I Thank You. Tyler, primary Dwayne Gretzky singer, has been playing with them for the past few shows (though not at Zeus) and filled in fine starting on guitar and swapping to bass when Feurd was needed for keys and the like. They did their semi-famous Beyonce cover, Countdown,  and it was the first time I'd seen it live (not overly impressive - granted I've never heard the original and it was sans Luke Lalonde). Actually I've heard so much positive about The Elwins and their work ethic but this set didn't super impress. Maybe I was just disappointed and confused that they didn't do the Fox song and dance (see the Zeus link above).


Dwayne Gretzky did what they do best - playing amazing throwback cover tunes that are not necessarily spot-on but pretty darn close and fun regardless. Dan Griffin (ex?-)Arkell joined them for much of the set and Feurd, from the Elwins, was unmistakable on stage much of the time as well. In addition to their classic set list of Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, The Beatles and Jackson 5 they also added some Queen (Under Pressure), Elton John (Bennie & the Jets) and a surprise, yet personal fave, Cardigans (Love Fool). Plus 80's blast Take on Me and Allie Hughes did a fine representation on Heart's Barracuda. Fun fun!

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.