2005-03-26, Rising Sun Martial Arts Centre - Oakville, ON

Alright, it has been a week since I posted the pictures, and over two weeks since the actual show, so this is definitely overdue. I was sick this past week and needed a little break from the updates, but now I'm back.

The Usual Bunch of Idiots reside from good old Oakville. Matt in the Hat is a big time ska fan and comes to a crazy amount of shows, so it was about time I made the trek to come see his band play. Since it was awhile ago I can't remember all the details, and being drunk doesn't help that either. From what I can remember they played a rockin' set. The crowd response was really good too. Everyone there was having a good time. They even did a Sublime cover, which is good, as I don't think I've heard one for a long time.

The Makeshift Heroes went on next, and unfortunately only half the crowd had stayed for them and The Johnstones. They didn't disappoint though, opening with Demons instantly got me and the people willing to dance right into their set. They sounded good tonight, as they almost always do. One thing I like about these guys, which I find with most ska bands, is they will play their hearts out, regardless of how many people are watching. It is something I will always admire, and try to mention when I see it.

Last up was The Johnstones. This was only my third time seeing them, but they absolutely blew me away. They rocked my face off so hard I had to go to the hospital to get it put back on. With their CD constantly near by computer as I listen to it a lot, it was good to see them live with a smaller crowd. Their live show is just as good, if not better than their CD. Just watching them perform with the energy that they bring is just amazing. Not only do they sound good, but they have the best band uniform ever. This is a band I want to see live a lot more. Keep up the good work guys.

A HUGE thanks goes out to Branko for givng me a ride home all the way to Scarborough!!!

Usual Bunch of Idiots   The Makeshift Heroes   The Johnstones  


Comments (18)

(Posted 2005-04-09)

2005-03-22, Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON

After hearing that Toots was coming back to Toronto, I knew I just had to go. But only 10 days after the show was announced, it was already sold out. I was lucky enough to get into the show thanks to The Pylons. THANKS SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR GETTING ME IN!!!

This was by far the best I had seen the Pylons play. The changes they made to the songs which I mentioned in the previous show review sounded much tigher. There was also no technical difficulties. Unfortunately the crowd wasn't really into their set, but I was kind of expecting it due to them being on the opposite end of the ska spectrum than Toots. That didn't stop them from playing their hearts out. They are currently over halfway through their East Coast Tour, and I hope they are having a good response at their shows. They are playing an all ages show on the 24th in Burlington, and it would be worth the trek to go check these guys out. Keep up the good work guys.

Toots had me (and the rest of the crowd) at the second song, Pressure Drop. Hearing the crowd sing along throughout the song, I knew I was in for a treat. I was a kid in a candystore, with a smile from ear-to-ear. This was probably the best show I had ever attended, and was completely blown away by the performance. When a man of that age can sing like that, and still have the dance moves to get all the ladies, it is just something special. It was a completely different experience from the show at Nathan Phillips Square. Being in the front row was just a blast, and shaking the man's hand will be something I'll never forget. As if you need to ask, he played all his hits, 5446, Broadway Jungle, Reggae Got Soul, Monkey Man, etc...

Thanks to Ewan for bringing such a big name in the music industry to Toronto.

The Pylons (set 1)   The Pylons (set 2)   Toots and the Maytals (set 1)   Toots and the Maytals (set 2)  


Comments (2)

(Posted 2005-04-04)

2005-03-18, The Bombshelter - Waterloo, ON

It seems Bedouin Soundclash play Waterloo every couple of months, or at least recently. This was my first time checking them out. I was in for a treat, as the show was sold out, and The Pylons were opening!

Unfortunately, The Pylons experienced many techinical difficulties. It really took away from the show. When everything was working correctly, they were playing well. Their new line up seems to have started to gel nicely. They seemed to have changed around some of their songs. Although I may prefer the older sound to No More Blue Skies, the new sound they have come up with is good, and I'm sure their audience will approve. They are busy touring the east cost and will be playing an all ages show at the end of April. I wish them luck and hope they have a very good month.

Apparently Bedouin Soundclash has sold out the Bomber 3 or 4 times now. From what I was told this show was sold out as well...even though it didn't look like it was. But with the stricter policies regarding how many people can be in the bar, I wouldn't be surprised if they were in fact sold out. These guys were really good. Bedouin Soundclash had more of a reggae sound than ska, but I was definitely digging it. I only knew 4 songs before attending, and it was a pleasure to hear those songs live. The last song they played was Pressure Drop by Toots and the Maytals, which was perfect, as I was going to see them perform in less than a week, thanks to The Pylons :)

Thanks to the people at the sides of the stage for letting me get by to take pictures. It was greatly appreciated!!!

The Pylons (set 1)   The Pylons (set 2)   Bedouin Soundclash  


Comments (0)

(Posted 2005-03-29)

2005-03-11, Opera House - Toronto, ON

Since I missed the Planet Smashers on their last time around, I knew I really wanted to see them this time. Unfortunately it was kind of an expensive ticket price for who I wanted to see.

The Makeshift Heroes opened. It was nice to see this band get the opportunity to play at such a venue for a big show. No one would argue that they didn't deserve it. I was shocked by how many people were really into their set, as although there was their regular following, there was also many new faces. Although I think $25 was too much to pay to see two bands I could see on a regular basis, I am the type of fan that is willing to pay a premium to hear particular songs live. For example, any song by Hepcat, Road Rage by the Pylons, Vietnam by Jimmly Cliff, etc. Demons by The Makeshift Heroes is one of those songs. It really is a shame it is not on their EP, as I could see myself listening to it daily, if not more. You can tell the band loves playing this song, but especially so on this night. I don't think I've seen them get as much into a song as they did for this one.

It seems too long since I had seen these guys last, but it was only back in September since I had seen them. These guys always put on a good show, and it was no different this time around. With hit songs Never Going to Drink Again, Pee in the Elevator, Super Orgy Porno Party, etc. made for a very good evening of ska music. There wasn't much space to dance on floor, and it is no surprise why. These guys play ska music you just HAVE to dance to. It is a shame they didn't headline, as they didn't get too long of a set. Maybe next time around they will.

Guttermouth is stupid. Plain and simple. I could do an entire rant on the stupidness of them, but will leave you with one point. As much as they claim to be superior by not being political, and "rocking against Bush", they are just marketing themselves as the band that is "non-political". They are no different than the bands they make fun of. Not much of a thinking band are we, hmmmmm...

The Makeshift Heroes (set 1)   The Makeshift Heroes (set 2)   Crazy pit / Crowd Pictures   The Planet Smashers (set 1)   The Planet Smashers (set 2)  


Comments (10)

(Posted 2005-03-25)

2005-03-05, Anias Cafe - Toronto, ON

It was a pleasant surprise to hear about this show. It had been awhile since I heard the Hebrew School Dropouts and I had been itching to see The Donuts again. They really are my favourite local band right now.

The Donouts did not disappoint at all. Each time I see them they are just as good as the last time if not better. They did covers of So Much by General Rudie, one by the Slackers, another by David Hillyard and the Rocksteady Seven, and I think even one by Justin Hinds. Although they may play a lot of covers, they play them very well, and the covers they choose are ones that are not covered that much (which also partially has to do with the type of ska they play). Theses guys are amazing and will only get better.

Hebrew School Dropouts played a really good set too. I love their horn section so much. Partially due to the amount of horns they have, and also due to the variety (2 sax's, trumpet, and trombone). These guys are also young, and again, will only get better with time. They did the cover from the Little Mermaid again, which is just a fun song to listen and dance to. I wouldn't be surprised if it is as much fun to play as well. Since I started my zine I have noticed these guys at shows. It is nice to see ska bands supporting other bands, by attending, even if they are not playing themselves. Their cd is really good (watch for the cd review in the NEAR future) and should be in the collection of any Toronto fan.

Branko then went up and did some mad freestylin'. I then left trying to catch The Flatliners for Canadian Music Week, and although I was on the guest list wasn't able to get in. I heard it was a crazy show.

The Donuts   Hebrew School Dropouts  


Comments (11)

(Posted 2005-03-22)

2005-03-03, The Reverb - Toronto, ON

This was probably one of the least enjoyable shows I've been to, and it wasn't because of the music being played. I have never been to a show where the crowd was this annoying. It almost seemed like an underaged frat party instead of a Canadian Music Week concert displaying some decent bands.

I had been waiting for this show for a very long time. Back in January the Cheap Suits announced they would be playing their entire new EP on this night. While only hearing about 3 or 4 these songs before, I looked forward to hearing their new material. They didn't disappoint one bit. I really can't wait for this new disc, especially since they have been talking about it for such a long time. The drunken row of people that lined the front of the stage the entire night were into it...or maybe they were just too smashed and would have liked anything. After spilling a lot of beer on the band, I officially couldn't stand them any more. They seemed more ready to hit up a club scene than a concert. Anyways, enough about the crowd, the Cheap Suits played a rockin' set and I really can't wait to listen to the songs over and over on their upcoming EP. Keep up the good work guys.

There was an emo band from London that was fairly decent. Can't recall their name though, and the lead singer seemed to be obsessed with tuning his guitar. Beautiful Girls went on third. They had a very grooving reggae-type sound. Thankfully the crowd was much more tame for them, except for the just turned legal 19 year old girls screaming hot hot the bass player was. And them them wondering why I gave them a dirty look after having them yell directly in my ear. Fuck. I hate this crowd.

Pepper went on second last. I think the majority of the crowd was here to see them perform. Think of Sublime, and their passion for pot, now take that same sound but replace what they sing about with lyrics about sex, and you have Pepper. Seemed that the majority of their songs were about sex. They same 19 year old girls started to yell they would go home with the band. I wish they would have...or at least someone shove something in their mouth to shut them up. People like this should be prevented from contaminating the genepool. I mildly enjoyed Pepper's set, but am sure I would have enjoyed it more if the crowd wasn't so stupid. Thank God the regular ska crowd isn't like this, or I don't think I'd be attending as many shows as I do.

Cheap Suits (set 1)   Cheap Suits (set 2)   Messed up crowd   Beautiful Girls   Pepper  


Comments (6)

(Posted 2005-03-18)

2005-03-02, Casbah - Hamilton, ON

There had been talk of Chris Murray coming to Toronto back in January, but it just didn't happen. But his fans were lucky enough that he took time out of his busy schedule of recording the new Planet Smashers album to play this sole Ontario show. It had been over a year since I had seen him last, and was extremely excited to hear that he was actually going to make it out here. Unfortunately the show was all the way in Hamilton, but I was lucky enough to be accompanied by a good friend, Yvonne. She made the trip and show a lot less lonely and made for a more enjoyable night.

Chris Murray was just as good on this night as he was in February of last year. Just absoultely flawless. He has one of the best voices I have heard live. It was a treat hearing Westbound Train just over a week ago, and then this show. He played for just under an hour and half, playing all of the songs I wanted to hear One Everything, Rocksteady, The Promise, We Do the Ska, Doing Time, Steady Beat Convention, and California Time. The only song I was hoping he would play was The Higher the Monkey Climbs. In typical Chris Murray fashion, he was taking requests for 90% of the set.

There was a lady at the show who had a tape from 1989 of King Apparatus (Chris' former band). Chris mentioned that he didn't think CD's existed in 1989 (well, at least not to the public). It was amazing to see how ska can really be spread across generations. I hope to still be excited about ska music later in my life as I am today.

A HUGE thank you goes out to Chris Murray himself for not only putting on a rocking show, but for giving me and Yvonne a ride back to Toronto. It made getting home a lot easier. Please come back again soon.

Chris Murray  


Comments (0)

(Posted 2005-03-14)