NXNE 2009 Day 3 featuring The Sonics, The Zoobombs and The Dudes

As the Saturday night of NXNE rolled around, I knew that I wasn't going to be able to do all that much. It's been a busy weekend. Still, it didn't bother me one bit just as long as I got to see The Sonics. That was the band that I was anticipating the most and thankfully, I made it back in town just in time to take in their show.

If you would have told me a few years ago that I'd be standing in the front row of a Sonics concert, I would've said that you were crazy. They are a truly legendary band that could honestly be credited with inventing punk rock, even though that claim has been made several times by other artists. But the fact is that having emerged in the early 60's, they displayed that raw rebellious sound before anybody else, influencing everyone from The Stooges and The MC5 to Nirvana and The White Stripes. They broke up about 40 years ago, but when three of the original members reformed the band, the buzz surrounding their scene stealing set at this year's SXSW has been turning into a legend of its own. This meant that anticipation was running high for this NXNE performance.

Admittedly it took a couple of songs before they really found their groove, but once they did, they were unstoppable. Obviously they're no spring chickens, so obviously the youthful abandon that they once possessed was gone and there were times when I couldn't help but wonder if I would be just as enthused about what I was seeing if I was less familiar with them. Still, The Sonics are The Sonics, and when familiar songs like Strychnine and Psycho came along, Gerry Roslie's scratchy throated yelp was as mind numbing as ever. They also performed standards like Have Love Will Travel, Money (That's What I Want) and Louie Louie; the latter of which may have been the rawest sounding version of that song I have ever heard. I was standing with a couple of people who were obviously there for The Sonics the first time around, but when I turned around to look at the crowd. I was amazed at the fact that, by and large, most of them were the same age as the people who usually go to the shows that I attend. Appreciation for musical heritage is very important to me, so it was great to see all of these young 'uns jumping around like crazy, almost as if they were at a White Stripes concert. The band closed with The Witch, and many in the audience were singing, dancing and jumping along, making this a show that will definitely be its own brand of memorable.

Photos: The Sonics @ Yonge & Dundas Square on flickr
Myspace: The Sonics
Video: The Witch on youtube

As you can see by the fact that the picture above is the world's crappiest picture ever, you can probably guess that my attempt to catch The Zoobombs at Velvet Underground after The Sonics show wasn't quite as successful as I had hoped it would be. The show ended about 15 minutes before the Zoobombs were set to go on, so already I knew it was going to be tight. But when I got to Queen Street, I realized that the streetcars weren't doing their thing, because of the god forsaken MMVA preparations taking place. So figuring "what else am I gonna do?", I started power walking along Queen in the hopes of making it to VU in time for the show. As I passed The Horseshoe, I contemplated popping in for Ruby Coast since ultimately I knew that this quest for the Japanese rockers was going to end in futility. But I really wanted to see The Zoobombs. So I shuffled past the 'shoe and kept on course for the 'bombs.

When I got there, it was basically the busiest, fullest, sweatiest venue ever. My badge got me in, but as I tried to force my way through the massive crowd, I realized that it just wasn't going to happen. So I stuck around for a couple of songs and then trekked on out to see what else I could find nearby. From what I did hear the band sounded truly explosive, and I really hope that I get the chance to see them another time, because right up my alley this was!

The Zoobombs do have one more show in town at The Silver Dollar on June 30th with The Hoa Hoa's. I'd go if I wasn't already going to see Sonic Youth!!!!

Photo: My one photo which is exactly the same as the one above is up on flickr.
Myspace: The Zoobombs

As I strolled into The Reverb, I remember thinking to myself, "hey now this sounds pretty good." The Dudes were into the latter half of their set and although they may not be the most original sounding band of all time, in many ways they were the perfect sounding band to end a Saturday night. Taking a cue from the ghosts of power pop's past, The Dudes are a rock 'n roll band from Calgary, who play songs that are full of catchy hooks and perfect power chords. You could probably compare these guys to many bands, but a few that popped into my head right away were Thrush Hermit, The Odds, and, call me crazy, but I even heard a smidge of our very own Tin Bangs. Lead vocalist Dan Vacon had an amicable-by-way-of-tailgate-party stage prescence, that caused a few smiles and raised a few cheers. They may not be a band that I would listen to all the time, but if their songs were to pop up on my ipod shuffle, I'm sure it would make my head bob and toe tap.

Photos: The Dudes at The Reverb on flickr.
Myspace: The Dudes

So there you go, my mini NXNE, if you will. Hopefully next year the festival doesn't conflict with other priorities so much, but historically, June has always been a busy month in my life, full of anniversaries, weddings, conventions, get-togethers, busy work schedules etc so, as usual, I'm not holding my breath. But that having been said, some of the best shows I've seen this year has been at this festival and I look forward to seeing what will be taking place next year.