5 BANDS. 5 NIGHTS. 5 BUCKS.
Starting yesterday (apologies for the delay – the onslaught of holiday turkey, stuffing and apple pies kept me weighed town), The Drake Hotel is holding their 4th annual What’s In the Box event, showcasing electronic/DJs the week before the new year. Given that most artists are taking some time off before kicking off their 2010 tour, or spending time hibernating to record, it’s a great place to head for some great beats and company.
There are some great bands doing sets this year, with highlights that include Holy Fuck, Air France and OPOPO. At $5 per night, how can you go wrong?
SATURDAY DECEMBER 26 / NIGHT ONE
myspace.com/thecarps
myspace.com/styrofoamones
myspace.com/the8485
myspace.com/youngflux
myspace.com/youngempires
skratchbastid.com
SUNDAY DECEMBER 27 / NIGHT TWO
holyfuckmusic.com/
handdrawndracula.com/hdd-bishopmorocco
handdrawndracula.com/hdd-bydivineright
myspace.com/holycobras
myspace.com/dougieboom
MONDAY DECEMBER 28 / NIGHT THREE
myspace.com/theairfrance
myspace.com/thedurbervilles
myspace.com/greatbloomers
myspace.com/spookeyruben
todor.ca
TUESDAY DECEMBER 29 / NIGHT FOUR
myspace.com/nosajthing
myspace.com/mymanhenri
myspace.com/opopotunes
myspace.com/organmood
myspace.com/pickapiper
todor.ca
jaime-sin.com
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 30 / NIGHT FIVE
myspace.com/alexsmoke1
pheek.com
myspace.com/djstefny
noahpred.com
todor.ca/site
johnnyhockin.com
December 27th, 2009
The 5th Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash is here, raising vital funds for charity. This year’s charity if choice is Yonge St. Mission and its food bank. The legendary reggae icon’s birthday is officially Feb. 6th, the night of the event. If you’ve ever been to Jamaica, you’ll know how colossal an event Marley’s birthday is.
Indie Reggae bands will be entertaining everyone throughout the evening, with raffles for prizes. One other reason will be seeing some b/w photos of Bob Marley in the 70s, from the Analogue Gallery.
Bob Marley Birthday
The Great Hall (1087 Queen St. West)
Saturday, Feb 6th
Doors 9pm
Saturday, February 6th
$15 at the door w/non-perishable food item
December 25th, 2009
Thunderheist w/Everything All the Time
Mod Club
12.03.09
It’s been quite an electric 3 years for Thunderheist’s power duo, Isus and DJ/producer Grahm Zilla. This was their final show before they take some time to pursue their own solo projects. It comes at a good time for them, riding the heels of their wildly successful self titled release in March 2009.
Up-and-coming electro-pop band Everything All the Time began the night. They’re quite a peculiar bunch, with some members looking more like they were heading straight from the set of the O.C. to a rock show.
Lead singer Alanna Stuart sported a sharp business casual look as she sauntered onto the stage, looking a little reserved in her mannerisms; perhaps it was the nerves, or perhaps it was the fact that she could be roasting in her multi-layered “you aint seeing any of my skin” look.
Wardrobes aside, Everything All The Time executed their job well: getting the crowd moving and warmed up. Stuart has a sharp soulful voice with some attitude, surprising us with her vocal range and use of dynamics. I can see her voice only getting stronger as they grow. Stuart executed her job was lead vocalist onstage to promote the band, by naturally slipping their name into banter between songs. No one in the crowd would leave without thinking “that opener was great. What was their name again?”
Standout winners in their set were “Getting Higher,” a warm and uplifting indie-pop tune, and “Start. Stop,” an explosive closer that showcased Stuart’s vocal range and the bands’ ability to drive a solid beat. Their losing song turned the crowd into Thundergear – the barely 19 year-olds at the front of the stage were ready party, with or without the band.
Isus rocked onthe stage with an incredible outfit made from seat belts, with her tiny body all wrapped in a corset. As their final performance as Thunderheist before pursuing solo projects, it was clear the band was ready to go out with a bang.
Boy, did they deliver. They played a great blend of old and new tracks, and worked the crowd like no other. Isus even had the crowd waving to her parents, watching safely in the balcony. The show felt more like a farewell party for friends, rather than a performance. A few times during the show Isus would stop midway and yell cheekily, “ah fuck it. I fucked up. We need to do it RIGHT so let’s do THAT one again!”
They played all the crowd favourites including “Bubblegum,” “Suenos Dulces,” and the infamous “Jerk it”. Mom was proud.
Although they were having a great time, there was a sense of passing for this project that started as an exchange of .mp3’s over myspace. Rather than riding the wave to a faded wash on the beach, this band has decided to take a bow while the wave is crashing into the shore. As much as I do appreciate their explosive electro-rap get your ass moving deal, this was a limited wave couldn’t sustain its tsunami dance level for too much longer. Look out for what Isus and Zilla come out with in their own projects in the near future.
-REVIEWED BY: ROBB ENG
December 15th, 2009
