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| Charlie McKittrick of TimeGiant Live in Toronto September 1 2012 |
September 4 2012 – TimeGiant is a band that is all over our radar. We have reviewed a relatively large number of their performances as can be read here (May 10 2012 gig), here (July 6 2012 gig), their Canadian Music Week 2012 performance here, or their NXNE 2012 performance here. During that NXNE performance we wrote:
“TimeGiant is a band with a perfect blend of heavy and progressive rock that could have been made in 1972 or 2012. If there is any justice in the world, TimeGiant will be opening up for the Foo Fighters on their next tour! An epic mix of Rush, Triumph, Black Crowes, Zeppelin and Floyd are how I would define TimeGiant.” – T-Mak World March 2012
Nothing has changed from that conclusion with the exception that the guys are currently recording some new material and highlighting the new tracks on their gigs.
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| Ryan Watson of TimeGiant Sep 1 2012 |
Tonight’s show garnered the largest response ever from the band’s Facebook, Twitter and Newsletter. The new material is edgy and hard rock – and it really highlights the talents of the four members of TimeGiant (Tyrone Buccione – vocals, guitars, sax; Ryan Watson – guitars, Pat Wilken – bass, Charlie McKittrick – drums, vocals). It is one thing to put down in words how great this band is live, but it is another to witness it. Like all good front men Buccione is not just oozing with talent, but has the on stage presence to take the audience on a journey with him. Not only that but any lead singer that is wearing a Pink Floyd shirt on stage is OK in my book!
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| Tyrone Buccione of TimeGiant Toronto September 1 2012 |
Tonight’s set started off with a 1-2-3 shot of hard rockers I Am The Fire, Blind and Farcaster. These are perfect examples of the brand of 70’s influenced hard rock that TimeGiant is capable of presenting in a modern setting. If the Sheepdogs look like modern day hippies, TimeGiant looks like modern day classic/anthem rockers. Check out the pictures below – one is Ryan Watson of TimeGiant in 2012 and one is Mike Levine of Triumph circa the late 70’s.
In fact we ran into TimeGiant a few days earlier at the Rik Emmett (of Triumph) gig that we reviewed here. Half joking I mentioned to them that it would be very cool if they interspersed some classic Triumph in their set and to my surprise I heard the opening notes of the rock anthem Lay It On The Line by Triumph! Of course these guys are too creative to just do a cover so they modified the lyrics to reference tequila and then kicked right into their new song Hard Lovin Woman which at this point had the uninitiated nodding their heads. Everyone in the place was up against the stage and partying.
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| TimeGiant in Toronto Sep 1 2012 |
Next the audience sing along classic Candy From a Feather is presented and Buccione puts down his guitar for his sax. Watson and Wilken are all smiles as they shake their long hair on stage with sweat dripping. I have interviewed these guys about how they feel while up on stage and know they thrive on audience energy – something that this gig is full of at this point as the audience participates in an “when I’m in my own head” sing along chorus. McKittrick was hammering the drums with more energy than we have ever seen – my only complaint about this show is that there was no McKittrick solo (again!).
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| Buccione and Watson of TimeGiant |
Every band has “THE” song – for Led Zeppelin it is “Stairway to Heaven” for Rush its “Tom Sawyer” for Triumph its “Magic Power” and for TimeGiant so far its “White Window” – this is their biggest song and one that will never be dropped from a TimeGiant list. At this point it seems that everyone in the venue knows this song as people are dancing and singing along. If you have never heard White Window do yourself a favor and check it out – it’s infectious riffs will have you hooked.
The show ends with a song that the band tells us is recording right now with producer Jon Drew named “Been Here Before“. If anything speaks volumes about a bands performance on a given night is the audience’s insistence for an encore. Let me tell you there was zero chance that TimeGiant was going to walk off the stage tonight without an encore. The band talked for a few seconds and came to close off the night with the unplanned and excellent “The Pressure“. I wish they had 8 more minutes to have played their epic (and best song) After the Battle At Mt. Megiddo.
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| TimeGiant Toronto September 1 2012 at The Horseshoe |
Verdict: I have decided to just keep on repeating my verdict from a previous gig as it captures my thoughts perfectly….. “Excellent performance from one Canada’s best up and coming bands. My money is on them to be Toronto’s next big band in the tradition of Max Webster, Triumph and Rush. Mustaches and long hair have never been cooler!”
The band’s set consisted of:
I Am The Fire
Blind
Farcaster
Lay It On the Line (Tequila) – Triumph Interlude
Hard Lovin Woman
Candy From A Feather
White Window
Been Here
The Pressure
Check out our video interview with TimeGiant below
