This show had been advertised for quite some time on Ska Party Radio, and I think part of the success was due to such advertising. This Best of the Bands was put on as part of the Brass in the Grass music festival in Toronto. It was done on the youth stage. Unfortunately, two of the bands didn't show up. Fortunately, the two remaining bands got to play longer sets.

The Donuts were on first and played decent. I have heard them play better, but they also didn't play horrible (they tell me they did). The crowd was definitely digging their music, and got people up and dancing (including your truly).

It seems like it had been forever since I had seen The Hebrew School Dropouts. I miss the sheer energy they bring to the stage. Unfortunately, it was one of the sax's players last shows with the bands. I seem to always make the last shows for bands members of this band (a sax player quit after the Chris Murray show in Feb 2004, the keyboard player quit after a show in early 2005, and now this one). They too got the crowd up and dancing, and even got one of the entertainers that was on stilts to skank to the music. It was quite the sight to see.

Both bands ended up tieing for the competition, so they both received some recording time. Which is good, as The Donuts can finally have some recorded material! A big thanks go out to the judges, and to Prince Perry for mc'ing the event, and to the youth committee that put on the show. As a side not, one of my favourite artists, King Kong Girio, was one of the judges. If only he got up and performed You Won't Say it.

When I heard Bacteria Buffet Records was bringing three of their bands to NXNE, I got quite excited. I was even more excited to hear the tickets were nowhere near as high as they were last year. I think it was $20 just to see The Afterbeat or something.

I was blown away by Greg Milka Crowe. My only regret was that he opened with the amazing song Are you Ready?. It is quite the danceable track and I just wasn't ready to dance just yet. It did make my ears perk up right away though, and I knew I was going to be in for an enjoyable set. IF you don't know Greg Milka Crowe is usually a solo act (much like fellow Canadia ska acts; Chris Murray and King Kong Girio). Tonight he had a full band accompany him. I'm not sure if this is normal for his live performances, considering it was my first time seeing him. He has made friends with both Chris Murray and King Kong Girio and paid homage to them with playing Chris Murray's Home(an awesome tune), and a song he co-wrote with King Kong Girio (D Block Journal). If you ever have a chance to seem him live, or to buy his CD, I HIGHLY recommend doing so. Watch for a CD of his disc on 4th Wave very soon.

I first saw JFK & The Conspirators at Sneaky Dee's a week before. Although I think they are talented, I don't share the same sentiments as Larissa. They do have a unique sound, so I recommend checking them out before just solely taking my opinion. I just found myself only grooving to half the songs, and the other half not appreciating enough as I should, I guess. Maybe I just need to see them a few more times before I start liking them more. I will say this though, they are good at what they are trying to do.

Next up was The Afterbeat. It has been a year since I had seen them last, and it has felt too long. They are definitely one of my favourite ska bands, let alone favourite Canadian acts. They have replaced two of their band members and at times you noticed a few changes, but they are not drastic enough to think you are listening to a new band or something. These guys just rocked tonight and got people out of their seats to dance it up. They even handed out a sampler for their upcoming CD, and let me tell you, it is going to be quite the treat. All of the Toronto ska fans best be at their show when they come touring with their new CD. One of the best parts of their set is that I got to hear Remorse, which is one of my favourite songs by them that they don't play as much as their other hit songs. I thank them for that and can't wait to see them in fall :)

Cheap Suits followed up The Afterbeat, and kept the people dancing. They also played really well tonight, and even played a song from their first CD as per request of Mike Afterbeat. They too played songs from their upcoming CD. I was fortunate to get an advanced copy, and it is off the hook. Maybe they should set up their CD release show with The Afterbeat? That would be a kickass show. Anyways, back to the review, the Cheap Suits don't play Toronto as much as they use to, and so each time they come back to their hometown, they definitely rock out as hard as they can to put on a good show for where they started. If you haven't seen them recently, you should definitely check them out at the Edge on August 12th. Best of all, it is a free show!

All in all, this was an amazing show. It is a shame it was 19+, as I know it could have sold out if it was all ages.

I have never seen as big of a line waiting outside The Kathedral as I did on this day. Apparently there was 700 tickets sold for this show. I have never been pushed so hard from behind into the stage at a show, not even a Big D show. I can't even begin to explain how crazy it was inside when the bands played. I apologize for the quality of the pictures but I had to remain in one spot as there was no freedom to move around and take pictures from different angles, not even for the opening bands.

The Knockouts are a ska-punk band from the Toronto area. One thing I liked right off the bat was that they have a bari-saxophonist. It is one of my favourite brass instruments due to the deep sound it produces. Although The Knockouts have more of a punk sound than a ska one, I found them quite enjoyable and would have danced to many of their songs if I knew I wasn't going to lose my spot by the stage. Check these guys out on the 15th.

I was blown away by the Gym Class Heroes. They are a hip-hop band that uses live instruments for ALL their sounds, which is just unheard of. These guys know how to play. I would have felt I got my money's worth on this band alone. If you ever get the chance check them out.

I was a little disappointed with Streetlight Manifesto. Last year they blew Jerry and I away but this year was much different. Tomas didn't even sing half the lyrics, they had techinical difficulties and the lights were off for half the set. It wasn't that enjoyable at all. Don't get me wrong, everyone played really well, but it just isn't the same without the lyrics, especially when they are well written as they are. They played some Catch 22 songs, and it was amazing. The only upside of Tomas not singing as much as he did, was that the crowd really got into and sung the lyrics. Hopefully, when they tour with their new cd, they won't have as many problems, and will have their other trumpet player with them.

This was my first time seeing Inner City Fanatics. I had very little to go on since I had heard only one of their songs. They are a high energy, fast-paced ska band. They played really well and even did a cover of Jimmy Cliff, The Harder They Come. Now if only I could get them or someone else to cover Vietnam. *hint**hint* Since I'm writing about this show a month after it happened it is hard to remember particulars about them. I do remember it being the drummer's first show and the band sounded really good together for having a new member in the band. I'll definitely be checking these guys out again.