The Serge says: King Khan & The BBQ Show

Dec 4/09. Horseshoe. I always enjoy watching these guys perform and piss on the laid back, subdued, staid crowds at the Horseshoe. When I first saw these guys 3 years ago, they tore apart The Comfort Zone with the whole audience experiencing a musical religious moment. Based on this type of show, Toronto patrons expect this feeling without reciprocation. That doesn't happen. Make the band feel you are there and they will bring you on the journey. hat being said, King Khan put on another quirky, fun, loud show filled with their garage punk/R&B/rock style. Say hallelujah my friends.

The Serge says: Bob Newhart

Dec 4/09. Roy Thompson Hall. Watching veteran comics perform is always a delight in throwback. This being no different. Newhart is a low key, just below legend status comedian, whose most famous for his two hilarious sitcoms ('70's The Bob Newhart Show and '80's Newhart"). I felt so young here - the median age must have been 55. Newhart's routine was filled with old standards, old joke references and a little new material which easily pleased the crowd. With many of the audience probably suffering from Alzheimer's, the jokes were new to them. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable evening with an old master.

The Serge says:

Here are a couple of acustic versions of Young Rival songs done by a local film maker.

YOUNG RIVAL - Untitled from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

YOUNG RIVAL - The Ocean from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

The Serge says: Bwahhahahaha

What can be said???

The Serge says:

Here's some obscurity for you. Former members of Spirit ("I Got A Line On You") formed this band Jo Jo Gunne. Check it out.

The Serge says: Devo

Nov 23/09. Phoenix. Devo's first show in Toronto in 25 years was definitely no disappointment. They played an energetic and exciting show to a packed house of receptive fans and curious onlookers. They started with a couple of their earliest videos I suppose to show us how skinny they used to be. Devo, still displaying their knack for showmanship, were decked out in their trademark outfits - you would think someone would point out that yellow jumpsuits are not slimming. Their enthusiasm and energy were boundless this night, jumping around and "Devo posing" looked silly and awesome for a group of men this age. They played their first album in its entirety, blessed with crowd pleasing songs such as Uncontrollable Urge, Mongoloid and Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy. After a short break, they returned to play a handful of songs and finished with a rousing Gates Of Steel. And it was much appreciated that they skipped Whip It. Enjoy some "Nerd Punk" below.

The Serge says: White Denim

Nov 9/09,. Horseshoe. It seems "buzz band" is synonymous with "Austin, Texas" now. I can see the connection from the amazing SXSW festivals held there every year. White Denim is a garage rock/southern rock style type of band with loud, dirty jams that obviously do not match their polished, relatively subdued recorded music. The guitarist relied heavily on reverb, distortions and delays that just made him sound muffled in comparison to the vibrant rhythm section. The rhythm section were solid and tight which adds comparisons to Double Trouble and Cream's Ginger Baker/Jack Bruce. Having the drummer up front with the other two members of the band really added to the sound. One of the most original encores I've have ever seen: they came out and tore the place apart for 1 minute then called it a night. In all, it was a good show mainly due to the great musicianship of the bassist and drummer.

jay says: Mickey Lee Lane

Here's a cool tune I found while searching for forgotten 60's garage rock/soul bands.

The Serge says: Young Rival review

Nov 4/09 Horseshoe: Still rule.

The Serge says: Deep Dark Woods

Nov 4/09 Horseshoe: This is a band from Saskatchewan that plays music tailored-made for the hippie crowd. That would explain the excess of facial hair and so much flannel that I thought I was at an unemployed lesbian conference. The myspace page has music that is eye-gouging boring which doesn't represent the live show properly. Don't get me wrong, they are still boring but not to that extent. The long jam sessions are in the Phish vein and I always enjoy a good Hammond organ solo. Basically, they didn't suck as much as I thought they would.