The Hoa Hoa's / Your 33 Black Angels / The Disraelis @ Silver Dollar

As every music loving listmaker knows, December is a month for lists, and my thrill of culling together a year's best predates this here blog by at least a solid 15 years or so. Of course, the year end lists of my 9 year old self would no doubt be a little embarrassing if unearthed these days which makes me glad that the blogging phenomenon didn't happen until I was well into my 30's. Part of the fun that comes with creating such a list is the reworking of said list when something else comes to mind or, better yet, something better enters the picture and on that note, the psych rock extravaganza that I witnessed last week at The Silver Dollar means that my top 10 shows of the year is going to have to be reworked. You'll have to pardon the hyperbole, but this show was life altering!

The first band of the evening was The Disraelis. Although their recorded output has been highly regarded by most, their live show often gets mixed reviews. Cameron Ingles' "could care less" demeanor no doubt has the ability to repel as much as it may attract and in the end, your personal feeling on their live show is going to be just that: a matter of personal taste. Myself, I loved it! The combination of Ingles' lazy drawl, along with Colin Bowers' ringing guitar sound and David Barnes' precise and original drumming made their set rise above my expectations. There was definitely a psychedelic vibe in the air, and although the band owes just as much to Echo and the Bunnymen and The Charlatans as it does to 60's garage past, their slightly abrasive persona was a perfect match for the reverb soaked drones that emanated forth from the stage. There are an awful lot of bands claiming to emulate that nouveau psychedelic shoegaze sound, and most of them either sound a little bit contrived or they are just plain bad, but the incredibly precise musicianship of The Disraelis makes them sound authentic and, more importantly, genuine. What's scary is the fact that the band is likely to get even better, which makes me marvel at the potential.

Photos: My shots of The Disraelis at Silver Dollar are on flickr
Myspace: The Disraelis

A couple of years ago, a rabid Your 33 Black Angels fan went about emailing a whole bunch of bloggers to tell them about his favorite New York band and, by and large, the blogging community seemed to be pretty impressed. Also impressed was one David Fricke of Rolling Stone who labeled them a 'treasure.' I remember liking them quite a bit; thinking that they shared a cool vibe with the Thurston Moore's and Lou Reed's out there. But when I heard that they were added to this bill, I admittedly remembered their name more than their sound. It was two years ago after all, and I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I listen to a lot of music. I was looking forward to getting reacquainted though, and within a few notes, I realized that their inclusion on this night made perfect sense as they boasted a similar 60's sensibility, albeit more rooted in the 'pop' end of the spectrum as opposed to the 'psych' end. Their set was a sweet contrast to The Disraelis, as they turned up the energy and rocked out by cranking out one compelling hook after another. They were definitely heavy on the riffs and although their music lacked the atmosphere of the bands that preceded and followed them, where they excelled was in their ability to create music that is immediate and accessible. Although the less informed may credit another New York band with saving rock 'n roll (I won't mention any initials but I'm talking about The Strokes), those in the know think that the underground credit belongs somewhere else. This was Your 33 Black Angels first visit to Toronto, but hopefully it won't be their last.

Photos: My shots of Your 33 Black Angels at Silver Dollar are on flickr.
(I'm really happy with how these turned out. The lighting was awesome!)
Myspace: Your 33 Black Angels

As you may remember, my introduction to the live version of The Hoa Hoa's was a triumphant success, making them one of a select number of local bands that I must see at every opportunity. This is a very elite list that literally consists of only a handful of acts, which explains my return to their live set a mere four weeks after the last time. This show was to celebrate the release of their excellent Pop/Drone/Pedals album, which has only sounded better since attending this show. There's no need to rehash the fact that the band themselves sound amazing live, since I covered it well in my last review. But this was a night where the whole show seemed extra special for some reason, and although I'm sure they're going to continue to blow me away the more I see them, I doubt that they'll be able to perfectly duplicate the experience of that Friday night. The psychedelic air was thick that night, and this was not due to any particular waft of chemical substances because trust me, I likely would've smelt it if it was there. (For the record, psychedelic chemicals are not my scene; psychedelic music however, very much is.) No, that air was created by several other factors. First of all, the light show was intense which was amazing given the fact that the Silver Dollar is not a large venue at all. There was one person off stage holding a strobe light, which presented an interesting challenge when it came to picture taking, since I had to time my clicks just so. Another person in front was holding a multi-coloured light that created some pretty trippy effects. Another ingredient to the overall vibe was the fact that almost everybody in the audience felt compelled to engage in their own version of freaky 60's dancing, which made the whole room feel as if we were transported back to 1967. It was pretty awesome! The main ingredient of course was the music, and, believe it or not, they were even tighter than they were the last time. By the time the last song was finished playing, I remembered turning to the guy next to me and saying that I had to leave because, with all due respect to Action Makes, who were closing the evening, I didn't want anything to tarnish what I had just witnessed. I'll catch that band at a later date, but the band's final freak out was the perfect way to the end the evening. I've only experienced it on a couple of occasions, but I love that moment at the end of a show when everybody in the audience looks at each other knowing that they've just witnessed something amazing. That happened that night. And amazing this was.

Photos: My pics of The Hoa Hoa's at Silver Dollar are on flickr
Myspace: The Hoa Hoa's

'Sup In December: Ten Picks

Wow, these months are whipping by pretty wicked fast these days and it seems like I just posted one of these not that long ago. But here we are, the last month of '09 and today the weather is feeling pretty December-y and it's making me tired. I went to a great show on Saturday night that I look forward to telling you about, and if I don't fall asleep I'll be checking out another one tonight but in the meantime here are my picks for the month of December. Don't expect me to be as wordy as usual though. Pretty tired.

For more detailed listings, as usual, go check out Stillepost, Zoilus and Jen's Weekly List (of shows under $10)

1. The Hoa Hoa's / The Disraelis / Action Makes / Your 33 Black Angels @ Silver Dollar
(Friday December 4th; Cost: $6)

OK, I realize that I've been pushing The Hoa Hoa's pretty heavily lately, but their show last month completely blew my mind, and the fact that their name hasn't been circulating as much as some other acts literally keeps me awake at night. So their CD release show at the Dollar is mandatory if you like music as much as I do. And to sweeten the pot, locals psychedelics The Disraelis and Action Makes are also on the bill. But the major drawing action is Your 33 Black Angels from NYC, whom I've heard are so unbelievable that you literally won't believe it! Go to this show. Do it! Oh, Hoa Hoa's are also playing a free instore at Sonic Boom on the same day at 6pm. Do that also! [Myspaces: The Hoa Hoa's; The Disraelis; Action Makes; Your 33 Black Angels]

2. Grant Hart @ The Horseshoe
(Monday December 14th; Cost: $10.50)

Although most people name drop Bob Mould when engaging in conversations about Hüsker Dü, I've always been partial to the works of Grant Hart. He's currently touring in promotion of his first solo album in ten years entitled Hot Wax, which I still have to take the time to listen to. A couple of his previous albums though, namely Intolerance (1989) and Good News For Modern Man (1999) are a couple of albums that I enjoy very much. Should be legendary! [Myspace: Grant Hart]

3. Zero 7 @ The Phoenix
(Thursday December 3rd; Cost: $30)

I don't know why, but Zero 7 is one of those bands that I sheepishly admit to liking, even though I really shouldn't. They're just so calming and incredible and I'll bet they're absolutely otherworldly to see live. I'd imagine that the sound at The Phoenix would be perfect for their type of music. Like the last band, I've yet to hear their current release Yeah Ghost, but apparently it follows along the lines of 2006's brilliant The Garden. While it's true that Sia Furler isn't joining them on this tour, I've read that jazz vocalist Eska Mtungwazi is a revelation, and from what I've sampled, I don't doubt it. [Myspace: Zero 7]

4. The Sadies @ The Horseshoe
(Thursday December 31st; Cost: $20)

OK, here we are, broken record time: The Sadies are the best live band in Toronto. The Sadies play New Years Eve at The Horseshoe every year. The Sadies are ALWAYS perfect. 'Nuff said. [Myspace: The Sadies]

5. W.S Wallcott's Rabbits Foot Minstrel Revue: A Tribute To The Band @ The Boat
(Thursday December 10th; Cost: $5)

As we all know, the music of The Band is timeless, and for five bucks, this would be a pretty hard show to justify passing up. The number of talented musicians taking part is staggering. The list includes members of Born Ruffians, Cuff The Duke, Ohbijou, Jason Collett, The Golden Dogs, Zeus, Steamboat and more. Yes. [Myspace: The Band]

6. Handsome Furs @ Lee's Palace
(Saturday December 5th; Cost: $15)

Husband and wife electro-punk disco pop? How can you go wrong? My interest in this band has been more of mild curiosity as opposed to rabid enthusiasm, but many of my friends have never forgiven me for ducking out on The Handsome Furs (pictured above) at this year's CMW back in March, so it looks like I'll be making up for that this month. [Myspace: Handsome Furs]

7. Do Make Say Think / Charles Spearin's Happiness Project @ Enwave Theatre
(Sat. Dec 12th & Sun. Dec 13th; Cost: $16)

I have very mixed feelings about the bands that Arts & Crafts have been signing as of late, but when the crop of originals put out something new, it always makes for substantial listening. Instrumental post-rockers Do Make Say Think are celebrating the release of their 6th full length entitled Other Truths at the Queens Quay venue, along with this highly ambitious side project from BSS-er Charles Spearin. [Myspaces: Do Make Say Think; Charles Spearin's Happiness Project]

8. Spiral Beach / Boys Who Say No / Heartbeat Hotel / Romo Roto @ The Garrison
(Saturday December 19th; Cost: $12)

I finally got to check out the city's newest live venue on Saturday night, and I was surprised at how much I liked this incredibly red venue. I've also been seriously itching to see Spiral Beach again, as they are certainly one of my favorite live acts in the city. This is their last show of the year, and although I'm not familiar with all of their supporters, Boys Who Say No are almost as much fun as they are. (OK, they're nowhere near as much fun, but they are still pretty fun, in their own way) [Myspaces: Spiral Beach; Boys Who Say No; Heartbeat Hotel; Romo Roto]

9. Bellewoods / Raised by Swans / Old World Vulture / Cheap Speakers @ Horseshoe
(Friday December 11th; Cost: $8)

After a brief hibernation, Raised By Swans are celebrating the release of their new CD called No Ghostless Place at another TWM showcase, this time at The Horseshoe. All of the supporters are great, including TWM faves Cheap Speakers, spacey proggers Old World Vulture and classic folk rock with Bellewoods. Variety ensues... [Myspaces: Bellewoods; Raised By Swans; Old World Vulture; Cheap Speakers]

10. Hey Rosetta / Julie Fader / La Strada @ The Horseshoe
(Fri. Dec 4th & Sat. Dec 5th; Cost: $15)

I still maintain that Hey Rosetta's Into Your Lungs is one of the most solid releases of last year, and the one time that I saw them live is still a show that I thnk back to often. For a good solid performance, this Newfoundland band is pretty much a sure thing, as far as I'm concerned. [Myspaces: Hey Rosetta; Julie Fader; La Strada]

Honorable Mentions:
Only a couple of honorable mentions this time around. Female folk duo Dala (who's latest album Everyone Is Someone is actually much better than I expected it to be) is playing Hugh's Room (Dec 17, $12); The Skydiggers are playing two nights at The Horseshoe (Dec 18th & 19th, $20); Patrick Watson is at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Dec 12, $25) and Friendly Rich and the Lollipop People are at The Tranzac (Dec 5th, $10). A show that would have definitely made my top ten is Friendly Fires with The xx at The Phoenix on Dec 2nd but the show is completely sold out and I didn't get a ticket so I decided that there was no real need to mention it in the top ten. My friends think Friendly Fires is the bomb (I think they're alright) but The xx have released one of the best albums of the year and it would've been great to see them. They're back in April at the Kool Haus (ugh) with Hot Chip so we'll see.

Where I'll Be:
December is chill out time for me, so I don't think that I'll be going to too much this month (didn't I say that last month?) but I'm 99 percent sure that I'll be at the Handsome Furs show and I'm planning on seeing The Hoa Hoa's at Silver Dollar because I want to see them as often as possible. Everything else is a "we'll see how I feel on the day of" situtation, but I'm pretty determined to not do much so, once again, we'll see. Dress warm peoples.

Elvyn @ Silver Dollar

Brothers Joel and Ryan Beerman have been playing music together as Elvyn for just over 11 years now, and their professionalism and abilities have only increased during that time. Elvyn's mix of pure pop and alt-country is as catchy and accessible as it gets, filled with soaring harmonies and heartbreaking lyricism. If you've ever listened to either their 2002 release Ten Car Stereo or their 2004 EP The Big Bay, then you're likely scratching your head also as to why they've never had so much as a hit song, let alone nationwide success. Of course, with the overwhelming onslaught of music these days, I suppose this is just a product of the musical climate that we live in, and a band such as Elvyn has to settle for making an impression by playing as many gigs as they can and letting the buzz flow that way.

This is exactly what they did when they played The Silver Dollar on Friday night. Rounded out with Jason O'Reilly on bass and Jeremy Knibbs on rhythm guitar, the band played a set that was subdued but tight as their classic sounding tunes caused more than a couple of people to get up and dance. Besides playing a number of familiar ones, they also showcased a number of new songs that are slated to appear on an upcoming CD that should see the light of day in the near future. These new songs are impressive in that they see the band going for an even more polished sound while still keeping an intentional imperfection in tact, allowing the songs to maintain their human "heart on their sleeve" approach. In between songs, Joel the drummer would toss out the occasional quip, while in the rockier moments, Ryan and Jeremy would showcase a little dueling Gretsch action that was entertaining also.

Admittedly, the show did have a few things going against it. The weather was all kinds of bad (I'm pretty sure the monsoon-like conditions wrecked my umbrella,) and there were a lot of other shows taking place in the city too (as is usually the case on a Friday night.) Most noticeably, the sound guy didn't exactly bring his 'A' game this time around, missing cues and messing around with levels, and it was clear that this dampened the band's enthusiasm a little bit. Still, overall, the band handled these setbacks with professionalism, taking it all in stride which the same laid back attitude that is portrayed in the music they make.

Elvyn are playing a free show at The Horseshoe on Monday November 30th.

Photos: My shots of Elvyn @ Silver Dollar are on flickr
Myspace: Elvyn
Video: All Is Lost on youtube

The Paint Movement, Still Life Still & The D'Urbervilles @ Silver Dollar

I'm at the point where I've really had just about all that I can stand of winter, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit to really wanting to stay home on that freezing Friday night last week. But I had invested so much time and energy into promoting this show at The Silver Dollar that I knew I had to go. Add to that the extra motivation of the fact that a friend of mine, whom I hadn't seen for a couple of months, had just returned from Mexico itching to go to a show, and you've got yourself a couple of guys sitting at that bluesy bar on the corner of College and Spadina, preparing to have our minds blown by some seriously crazy local talent.

Although the bands to follow certainly have the greater fan base for now, as far as I'm concerned The Paint Movement was the highlight of the night. The energy emanating from that stage was solid as they proved that their stellar first CD was no mere product of studio wizardry. I especially enjoyed the jazzy interplay between saxophonist Jason Loftman and drummer Glenn Candy. Although those moments of sonic exploration had a touch of the jam band feel to them, the fact that they avoided getting overly meandering and extemporaneous made them accessible for everyone. (Personally I love when bands get a little overwrought, but I recognize that not everyone does.) I feel that their show is only going to get even more impressive as time goes on, as their style leaves lots of room for continual development and improvisation.

Photos: My pics of The Paint Movement @ Silver Dollar are on flickr.
Myspace: The Paint Movement

There's currently a lot of exciting rumours surrounding the gang in Still Life Still, and the fact that Kevin Drew was working the door at this show just adds a little bit of credibility to those rumours. Their feature debut is reportedly being released on Arts and Crafts in the near future, and at the behest of Mr. Drew there may have been a few important music type people in that crowded room on Friday night. If that's the case, then it's a good thing that the band had all of their friends and family in attendance because their performance was as celebratory as it's ever been. It'll be interesting to see if their sound will translate as well once they leave the comfort of Toronto. Part of their whole vibe is the fact that their friends know exactly when to jump onstage and wreak merry havoc all over the place. Are the songs strong enough to evoke the same reaction when they travel the country, or perhaps even Stateside? Only time will tell.

Photos: My shots of Still Life Still @ Silver Dollar are on flickr.
Myspace: Still Life Still

I had mentioned before that following Still Life Still is not an enviable task, and The D'Urbervilles certainly had their work cut out for them. The crowd had dissipated slightly and it was getting rather late. Still the band was clearly up to the challenge and I felt that they really held their own that night. Lead vocalist John O'Regan displays an assured awkwardness onstage that is very obvious once he puts down the guitar and starts dancing. I loved watching it personally. There are many bands that remind me of David Byrne in their vocal delivery and lyrical influence, but this time it was his stage demeanor that reminded me of the Talking Heads frontman. All O'Regan needed was a giant oversized suit. They blasted through their set rather quickly, which was appropriate considering the immediacy of most of their material. While The Paint Movement may have the greatest sense of musical adventure, and Still Life Still corner the market on frenetic energy, the winner in the best overall songs category is by far The D'Urbervilles.

Photos: My shots of The D'Urbervilles @ Silver Dollar are on flickr.
Myspace: The D'Urbervilles

CONTEST: Still Life Still, The D'Urbervilles and The Paint Movement @ The Silver Dollar

STILL LIFE STILL

Everybody needs a support group, and from what I've seen, no Toronto band has a greater one than Still Life Still. In a recent interview on the Zygiella podcast with local sensations Dinosaur Bones, the members of that band could not stop singing their praises. The notorious Lonely Vagabond has described them as a "sonic-stew of epic rock with rhythmic theatrics rivaling that of a frat celebration." And James L. Burling of Boxes and Bags has declared Still Life Still to be the best band in Toronto, no question. To add to such incredibly high praise, the band is planning on releasing their debut album this summer on none other than the highly influential Arts and Crafts label. The support group is about to expand huge!

I've had the privilege of seeing this band twice now, and while their sound is still that of a band in its early stages, their rambunctious live show is amongst the most incendiary I've ever seen. It's not uncommon for their rabid fans to attack the stage, cranking the on-stage party up to a blistering zenith, one that automatically presents a difficult challenge for whatever band is in the unfortunate position of performing after them. The demos I've heard recently also show a lot of promise as they borrow from the high gain, feedback and distortion of the 90's to the melodically chaotic collective sound of the present.

Myspace: Still Life Still
Download: Pastel (demo) mp3


THE D'URBERVILLES - WE ARE THE HUNTERS

While we're on the topic of bands with a great support group, The D'Urbervilles have been gaining friends and fans everywhere they go, as their album We Are The Hunters continues to inherit enormous amounts of praise with every mention. This really is a testament to the album's immediate appeal, as well as it's ability to get even better with repeat listens. It contains all of the ingredients to satisfy any post-punk 80's-loving appetite. The album opens with Knock Out The Fat, a fantastic new wave instrumental piece, that nicely sets the tone for the rest of the album. The title track opens with a percussive clak meeting Kyle Donnely's slightly P-Funky bass line before Tim Bruton's frenetic power chords blast forth, and John O'Regan's vocals chime in with a 60's British Invasion meets Ian McCullough sort of sound. The organ opening of Dragnet throws you off a bit as the song opens with an aire of mystery before the dancey chorus takes over with an art rock keyboard that sounds very large and in charge. This Is The Life is another classic new wave pastiche, with a brooding vocal that sounds as if it should stand in stark contrast to the chorus's shout-alongs, but surprisingly, it doesn't. The album ends with the highly infectious and anthemic Belladonna, Deadly Nightshade which is an adventurous number filled with tempo changes aplenty. While the songs themselves hold nothing back, the album as a whole shows admirable restraint, clocking in at just over half an hour, the perfect length for an album of such high class intensity.

Myspace: The D'Urbervilles
Download: Hot Tips mp3


CONTEST: The D'Urbervilles and Still Life Still are going to be joined by a band that I'm incredibly excited about called The Paint Movement (whom I reviewed here) on February 27th at The Silver Dollar. These are three of the most energetic bands in the city and they all have the potential to blow up all huge-like within the next year or so. So it would definitely be worthwhile to be at this show, especially since it's only $6 to get in. Or for one special person ... free!!!

I've got two tickets to giveaway for the show, courtesy of Audio Blood Media. If you're interested in winning this one, email me at quadb2001 [at] gmail [dot] com with "I Want Some Still Movement" in the subject line and your full name in the body.

Contest is now closed. Congrats to Kelly B for winning the tix. Thanks to all who entered.

Left Of Zero - Self-Titled

Progressive soul? Math jazz? Neo-funk-folk? When I saw Left Of Zero play the Rancho back in August, I knew that if I ever hear their recorded work, it would border on the impossible to slide the band into any particular genre. And sure enough, despite the fact that I've been listening to their infectious self-titled full length relentlessly this week, descriptive terms continue to elude me. They have a sound that harks back to another era; an era of sophisticative musical arrangements and sultry vocals that melt your soul. The opening sweep of 3 of 4 eases the listener into a slightly progressive territory, not totally unlike Portishead only without all the studio noodling, giving them a unique sense of organic experimentation. The song concludes with some musically unaccompanied vocal work by all of the members that is sparse and ethereal. I'm In Love begins with some very subtle guitar work before crescendoing into a crazy jam that ends a little bit too soon, in my opinion. Compromise is more of a relaxed drone of a song, that really allows Jade Lamarche's vocals to shine, as they easily do. Estrella and Unsaid are the closest the band gets to just rocking out, showcasing the fact that guitarists Luis Figueroa and Derek Edwards play off of each other very well, while Adam Boyle may be one of the most calculated drummers on the Toronto scene today. And while many people will be talking about Jade's outstanding voice, I think it's her bass playing that is really the star of this band, as I feel it's the most immediately noticeable thing about their music and what really allows it to stand on its own.

If I have one criticism about the album, it's that the band really has the ability to challenge the listener, but they rarely follow through on doing so. That makes the album very accessible of course, which is likely what the band was going for, and probably appropriate for a debut full length, but it would be neat to hear the band push the boundaries a little bit more the next time around. Songs like You Make Me and the aforementioned I'm In Love sound as if they're going to propel into the stratosphere and make an epic statement, but then they choose to just end instead. I'd like to hear them get a little bit pretentious next time. Of course, nobody appreciated Spinal Tap's foray into jazz exploration so maybe my personal views are better left ignored. Still, Left Of Zero's latest release has accomplished repeat listenings on my end and will likely continue to do so which is a sign of a job well done.

Myspace: Left Of Zero
Video: I'm In Love on youtube

Other stuff: There are a few other shows coming up in the month of December that I forgot to mention yesterday that you might be interested in, all taking place at The Silver Dollar.

First of all, on Friday December 5th we've got The Two Koreas and The Hoa Hoa's taking the stage. Also on the bill are Picturesound, Daniel Kosub and Easy Targets. Cost is $6. I won't be able to make it, and that bums me out since I still haven't seen The Hoa Hoa's live and I've just got to, what with them being amazing and all. [Myspaces: The Two Koreas, The Hoa Hoa's, Picturesound, Daniel Kosub, Easy Targets]

About a week later, $100 is hosting their CD release party for their new Regional 7" Release. This of course is hot on the hills of their critically acclaimed release Forest Of Tears, which is apparently fantastic even though I still have yet to pick it up. The show is on Friday December 12th and it's $8 adv; $10 door. [Myspace: $100]

And for those who like the night life, and like to boogie, there's a late late show on Saturday December 20th beginning at 11pm featuring Rural Alberta Advantage, Ghost Is Dancing and Forest City Lovers. That's an amazing bill that is almost worth setting aside sleep for. Sleeping is overrated anyways right? Right? (I should clarify that this show seems to be mentioned on the Silver Dollar website but not on any the band's myspace pages. So pardon my sloppy journalism but you may want to double check the facts before taking my word on it.) [Myspaces: Rural Alberta Advantage, Ghost Is Dancing, Forest City Lovers.] UPDATE: Forest City Lovers has denied playing this show, so my guess is that it may not actually be happening, even though it's still posted on the Silver Dollar website)

There's many more where that came from but I'm saving it for tomorrow. So see you tomorrow.