Dog Day @ Soundscapes (In Store Performance)

I have to say that I was very happy to hear that Dog Day had added this instore performance to their list of things to do when they came to Toronto last week. It was looking ever more likely that I was not going to be able to attend the show at Lee's Palace on Thursday night, so this was definitely an unexpected treat. Also unexpected was the fact that they put on a fairly charged performance.

Oddly enough, there are people out there who just seem happier being sad. I've never understood it myself, but I know a handful of people who would fall into that category. Upon seeing Dog Day's brief performance at Soundscapes last Wednesday night, I think that the members of that band may also be members of that little group.

It's not that their latest CD Concentration (which I reviewed here) is all that depressing actually, but it certainly has a darker feel to it than previous releases. If you add that reality to the fact that they've never been known to perform with the enthusiasm that their music might suggest, than I guess I was looking forward to this show based simply on the fact that I really like the music a lot, while not expecting anything overly grand in terms of performance. Also, this was not on a stage, but in a tiny record store. So as they continued to show an ever mounting zealous fervor with every subsequent track that they performed, it became obvious that they must be pretty pumped about the songs on this new record.

This is not to suggest that the band has become Spinal Tap or anything. Their endearing shyness was still there, most notable in the presence of keyboardist Crystal Thili who really didn't look up from her keyboard very much, other than to snap a few shots of the audience with her little point and shoot. Even Nancy Urich's attempts at banter were quite reserved, almost as if they were intended solely for the band's own personal enjoyment. (If you listened closely though, she was actually very funny.) But it was while they were playing the songs that the band really shone, culminating in a guitar sword fight of sorts during the final song, creating a wall of noise that their heroes would likely have appreciated immensely. Speaking of which, it was really cool to see one of those heroes, namely Julie Doiron of Eric's Trip, sitting on the floor taking it all in herself, no doubt swelling with pride at how far this band has come. If the show was any indication, the show at Lee's Palace was no doubt terrific. Wish I was there.

Photos: Dog Day @ Soundscapes on flickr.
Myspace: Dog Day
Video: You Won't See Me On Sunday(in 3-D) on youtube
Video: Happiness on youtube