Hey Everyone,
Sorry it’s been so long since you’ve heard from me, but I’m back with a column completely devoted to the IPO festival that took place in Toronto this past November. The city which brought us The Kids In The Hall is also chock full of musical riches so, without further ado, here’s the scoop on some excellent Toronto bands and their CDs (along a couple of non-Toronto bands who played the festival, for good measure). So, dig in!
CLOCKWISE
You might not expect the bastard children of Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, and Graham Parker (no, I don’t mean that these guys mated, mate!) to come from Toronto, but that’s what you get with Clockwise, whose style of New Wave propels us to a time when the ties weren’t even skinny yet! Lead vocalist Claude Kent’s (makes you think of Superman, don’t it?) meaty voice propels the frenetic tunes that grace all three of the band’s albums, including their latest and best, Faders On Stun. The many years these guys have toiled in this business hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm one bit, as proven by their exuberant performance at IPO Toronto, and they’ll put on two more fun-filled shows at IPO Liverpool 2009.
www.myspace.com/clockwisecanada
THE DEMOS
When I first met these kids, who had driven the 100 miles plus from Rochester, New York, to play the festival, I was very impressed both with their poise and enthusiasm, as I had been with the diligence in which they undertook the arduous task of crossing the Canadian border (US bands who have attempted to cross know what that’s all about, as do Canadian bands trying to get into the US). Their lively IPO show was pretty damn impressive, too, quoting so many ’60s touchstones that Shindiggers know and love and giving them a modern spin. Their harmonies were supreme, their playing tight and energetic, and their songs bursting with hooks. Talk about a band who should be at IPO Liverpool and The Cavern Club (one can hope!), but until that happens those of you in the UK (and anywhere else) will be more than satisfied with the band’s two EPs, including their latest, Alone With You.
www.myspace.com/thedemos
JANE’S PARTY
Their motto is ‘Just PLAY It’, and play it they do, as they wend their way through several styles, including pop, reggae, jugband music and rhythm and blues, sometimes all within the same song! One of the bands at IPO Toronto with which I was most impressed, they definitely have a shot at the brass ring. They had the release party for their debut full-length, The Garage Sessions, just a few days ago, and it’s an album that will no doubt get lots of airplay and stellar reviews.
www.myspace.com/janespartyband
THE MOCKIN’ BIRDS
From the unlikely berg of Chicoutimi, Canada (pronounced Chick-oo-tih-me), deep in the heart of Quebec, came this four-piece combo charging into The Rivoli for their IPO show. It was obvious they were knocked out by the atmosphere, and couldn’t wait to play. They did have to hang around a few hours before their set, but it was worth the wait, both for them and us. These guys played a blistering set of classic rock ’n’ roll (as opposed to classic rock) which called to mind The Beatles, The Stones, Chuck Berry, and many other likeminded legends we know and love, and they did it with èlan! They may never make it to your town, but definitely run, don’t walk, to your computer and order their excellent debut, Rockin’ At Midnight, and you’ll be able to rock 24 hours a day.
www.myspace.com/themockinbirds
SQUARE ROOT OF MARGARET
Oh Canada, indeed! In August of ’07, when I was all the way on the other side of the country, in Vancouver doing the IPO festival, I informed the local hordes that I was going to be doing the festival in Toronto… whereupon several bands said ‘you gotta book this amazing band from Toronto, Square Root Of Margaret!’. To my chagrin they were unavailable that year, but there they were at IPO Toronto this November and definitely lived up to their advance billing! Distilling several influences, including The Kinks, Flaming Lips and Super Furry Animals, all the time making it sound completely original, they were one of the most dynamic bands I’ve seen at International Pop Overthrow! With songs that stop, twist and turn every which way, they do melodic indie rock the way it should be done! They’ve recorded scads of albums, but their latest, Teragram Photeur (love that title!) has garnered the best reviews. Not to be missed!
www.myspace.com/squarerootofmargaret
THE HUMAN STATUES
Last, but certainly not least, is the band that, in this writer’s humble opinion, is the most deserving of any band that played International Pop Overthrow in ’08 to be signed to a major label deal. The Human Statues will certainly remind the listener (and viewer) of one of Toronto’s favourite sons, The Barenaked Ladies, with their infectuous rhythms and pop melodies, but without that annoying compulsion to tap-tap-tap on the acoustic guitar for emphasis. The large throng who came to see them couldn’t help but dance to the Statues enticing brew of pop that could be funky when it wanted to be, and frenetic when it needed to be. These guys definitely have the whole package of songs, personality and pizazz, and if they get the chance to play in front of some A&R people, the world will be hearing about them, big time! Check out their debut, self-titled CD, and get in on the ground floor of what may be the next big thing.
www.myspace.com/thehumanstatues
Until next time, thanks for listening! |
