I really enjoyed this year's line-up for the Frostbite Tour over last year's line-up. The Flatliners really got the crowd moving from the first note of their set on. They even dared to play brand spanking new songs. The crowd seemed to enjoy those songs just as much.

Big D probably played one of the best sets I have ever seen them play. If you have ever seen them before you know they play with every ounce of energy they have. I definitely think that is why the crowd gets into as much as they do. I was pleasantly surprised to hear them do material of Saleem Girls. It is a complete departure from their normal sound, but they pull it off so well. They do the material live just as well as it sounds on the album. I think there was only 2000 copies of the album pressed, so I'd hurry and pick one up before they are gone. Well worth the money.

I don't think Mustard Plug as ever let me down whenever I have been lucky enough to see them. They have so much good material, that it is hard for them to put on a bad show. Their songs are just so catchy and danceable that you can't help but move. It also helps that they have been doing this for YEARS, and are really nice to talk to. Be sure to catch these guys EVERY chance that you can get.

This show was a showing of some of Toronto's best bands. The Donuts started off the night right. They are really started to come into their own. The only negative things I can really say about their set was them starting late, and playing a bit longer, making the sets for the other bands shorter than they should have been.

Even though the 19+ crowd didn't seem like they wanted to dance tonight, Paul from Skaface always tries to get people into it. Whether it is him dancing on the dance floor while he plays guitar, or going from table top to table top. The new Skaface line-up is really coming together as well. Each seems with each passing show they get better and better. The horn section was on tonight, and you could tell.

I love Frankie Foo, but their set seemed to be a bit all over the place. It just didn't seem like their set flowed as well as it does at their monthly gig as Grossman's. Playing one set instead of three, there was songs I didn't get to hear (obviously). They did play well, like they always, always, always do, but the flow of the set just seemed off.

This was my first time seeing The Arsenals since their glorious showing at the Oshawa Skafest. The start of their set was really enjoyable, but then it seemed to tail off as the night went on. They played a lot of songs that I hadn't heard them play before. It felt like some of them could use some ironing out. The real weird thing about tonight was that it was a networking party beforehand for people in the tech industry. It was nice to see some of them get their groove on.

This was my first time seeing Sure Shot. Like it seems from almost every band of the "ska/reggae" genre from the 905 area, they have Sublime as a major influence. It shows in their sound too. They were a perfect addition to the bill, as their sound fits right in with the other bands. They didn't seem like anything special, but maybe it was just being my first time seeing them.

Ill Scarlett played one of their energetic sets that they are known for. They got their loyal following singing along. Although I can't say that I personally am a fan of where their sound is heading, by the type of following they have, my personal music tastes are far from what the majority wants to hear.

This was probably the best show I have ever seen The Next Best Thing put on. Everything about their set just seemed to click, and work so well. I haven't seen a Toronto crowd be so receptive towards them. Many people were singing along. Where were these people at their other Toronto shows?

There are no pictures of Badfish, as apparently I didn't get a press pass, even though the promoter said I had one. No big deal.

In hindsight, this was The Suicide Machines last Toronto show. At the time no one knew it, but a few short months later, the band decided to call it quits. This was only my third time seeing the band even though they came up North on a pretty frequent basis. They had a great set list, filled with an appropriate amount of new songs mixed with old hits. I couldn't have asked for a better show. They played stellar...as always. It is a shame they are gone. I know I'll be missing them.

So after the Cheap Suits show at the Edge, I rushed over to the Kathedral to catch Flashlight Brown and The Slackers. Although it was a combination of bands you wouldn't really expect, I didn't mind to much as I was a big fan of Flashlight's older material. I can't say I'm a huge fan of their new material, but I haven't given it a chance to let it grow on me. After seeing them ditch any of their ska tunes on their first major release, I wasn't really expecting them to go back to it. They are a good band, and it is nice to see them get the opportunities that they have in recent years.

The Slackers, and to nobody's surprise, put on a great show. The only thing I didn't like was that they played a few songs that I didn't know instead of Slackers' classics. As a band, I know you need to introduce new material, so I can't complain too much. In fact, one of the songs that I wasn't a fan of at the show, I absolutely love, What Went Wrong. It is one of my favourite songs on their latest disc (which is a great buy, by the way). I honestly think I could see these guys once a month easy and I wouldn't get tired of them. They are just really talented, and a treat to see live. I still can believe I went 6 years without seeing them live. I can't wait until they come back again.

It had been such a long, long time since I had seen the Cheap Suits. It had also been awhile since they played Toronto too. They played a lot of the newer material off of the new album. Sing the Blues, Judge & Jury, and Two Tone Town being my favourites. If you haven't bought it, makes sure you pick up a copy. Although the Egde wasn't packed shoulder-to-shoulder, it was still really busy, which is nice to see for a band that has been around Toronto for so long.

This was definitely the most I have ever travelled for a show, and I can say it was definitely worth it. Ever since hearing what Bomb the Music Industry! was about, they have won over a soft spot in my heart. For those of you that don't know, it is a collective of musicians that are all over the USA with the heart of the band coming from Jeff Rosenstock (of ASOB). Jeff records all the material in his house, and then when the band tours, it is whoever can make it out that does the tour. This tour was just Jeff and his computer. Rick Johnson (of Mustard Plug) has a solo band as well, and decided to put out a 7" split with Bomb the Music Industry! where all the profits would go to the Daniel Lang-Gunn.

First up was another band that consisted of one individual, The Matt Kurz One. Matt opened for Jeff and Rick on one of the dates on tour, and they said other people have to see this, so they brought him on tour. If you have ever had the opportunity to see someone play 5 instruments at once, you will know how interesting it is. Although he may not win awards for being the most techinical on each of the instruments, he makes it work. I was more surprised at how good the bass was for him playing it with his foot. I liked the performance a lot and would go check it out again if I had the opportunity to do so.

Next, Bomb the Music Industry! and the Rick Johnson Rock and Roll Machine alternated doing a song of theirs each. I have never seen two people leave enough of themselves on stage. By far the most energetic set I had ever seen. By the end of the 3rd song they were sweating, and at the end of the set they were both drenched in sweat. You can tell when someone performs for a living and it is just something they will do for the rest of their life (if their financial situation allows them). Jeff and Rick are two such people. If you ever have the chance to go see either one of these guys live, I highly recommend doing so. They are worth the 16 hours on a Greyhound bus. Go to their sites, download the music, learn the words, sing along, and go travel to see them. You won't regret it!