2006-05-27, Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON

There was two shows of The Planet Smashers with Westbound Train. In the afternoon all ages show The Johnstones opened, and at the 19+ night show Skratch 3 opened.

The Johnstones had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. They were just going absolutely insane for these guys. I don't think I've seen a crowd goes as nuts for these guys as I did on this night. With the air conditioning not working, it just made for one sloppy, sweaty mess. My camera lenses started to fog up. I have never had this happen before due to the humidity before.

Skratch 3 didn't have as a successful response when they opened at night. They were asked a few months ago to play the Horeshoe at like midnight to see what sort of 19+ draw they could get. I was told they packed the place. It is a shame all those fans didn't come out to this show, as the dance floor was practically empty for them.

It has been far too long since I saw Westbound Train last. They were absolutely amazing. One of the best bands I have seen in a long time. It was so nice to see both the all ages and 19+ crowd really get into their set too. I definitely wasn't expecting that. I hope this means they will come back very soon! Toronto needs to see this band as often as they see their Boston colleagues, Big D and the Kids Table.

The Planet Smashers, are The Planet Smashers. Regardless of how many times you have seen them before, you are almost obligated to go see them again when they come around. They always put on a tight and extremely fun set. They always play a set filled with their hits, plus change up the other songs they play to support them. One song I have never seen them play was Save It, and it would be nice to hear them play it once. It is a song that isn't from their typical sound, but it is nice song with more meaningful lyrics than Pee in the Elevator, or Super Orgy Porno Party.

The Johnstones   Skratch 3   Westbound Train   The Planet Smashers  


Comments (9)

(Posted 2006-10-12)

2006-05-26, J's Place - Brantford, ON

This was Brantford's rendition of their skafest. I walked in on the second last song by True Trout, which is part of the reason why there isn't as many pictures of these guys.

It had been awhile seen I had seen The Agency. They haven't changed much since I saw them last. They didn't have many people digging their set, as the kids in Brantford seemed to be more concerned with hanging outside the venue. Which is a shame for bands coming from out-of-town such as The Agency. I know I wouldn't go out of my way to play a town if the kids pull that kind of shit.

This was the only stop on their tour that I was able to catch The Know How. They brought a few more people closer to the stage. I even saw some of the kids start to dance. Although, their new keyboard player plays with a lot of energy, I don't think he can match their former keyboard player when it comes to raw energy on stage. I enjoyed their set a bit more than when I saw them last time (a year ago I think?). They still aren't a band that blows me away though.

Toronto's Cheap Suits were up next. They got a few more people dancing, but it just didn't seem like a dancing crowd. It wasn't until they played "Ska Saves" that the crowd finally got into it. Like many bands that have been playing for almost 10 years, they put on a tight set. I think they even played a few of their older songs, like Julia.

Last up was the metal band the Ceremonial Snips. A few people get these guys confused with ska since they have a rockin' horn section, but they are just too far from the ska sound to be remotely considered ska. I have only seen them 2 or 3 times before, but they always play their hearts out. I saw them accidently break the stage before from playing with so much energy.

True Trout   The Agency   The Know How   Cheap Suits   Ceremonial Snips  


Comments (3)

(Posted 2006-10-23)

2006-05-12, Reverb - Toronto, ON

This was Action League Now!'s second show. Their first being on a bill with other ska bands. The regular Toronto ska crowd seemed to enjoy them just as much as any of the other bands on the bill tonight. I really like their cover of Rescue Me.

Next up was Buda Funk Munk. This was an on night for them. With each additional show that I see them play I see more and more people dancing to their music, which is always a nice sight to see. When they have all of their members performing, I think they sound good. I've seen them before when they are just a three-piece, and I don't enjoy them at amuch.

It is always nice to see The Expos opening for General Rudie as they have a great relationship together. They have hosted a few shows in the Aurora-Newmarket area for them, and they are always a hit. Like just one month ago when they opened for Lo and the Magnetics, they had a following dancing and singing along. They have started to up their showmanship by going from one song right into the next with no break. It is nice additions like this that are making them a more mature band.

The Makeshift Heroes played another one of their great Toronto shows. Lots of kids dancing, just as many singing along. If you haven't seen them by now, you are missing out.

General Rudie played another great show. They always seem to have a good time when they come to Toronto. They also always seem to play for a good length as well, which makes for a lot of dancing, and a lot of sweat. It was weird that they came down this way just for this show, but it was nice anyways.

Thanks to Mark from Buda Funk Munk for putting on such a great show.

Action League Now!   Buda Funk Munk   The Expos   The Makeshift Heroes   General Rudie  


Comments (4)

(Posted 2006-10-11)