Nov 17, 2013 – Three prominent local Zeppelin tribute bands were in action on Saturday night. Michael White and The White was at the Sound Academy for the finale of the Discography Series with a fitting selection, Led Zeppelin IV. Jody Brumell’s Zeppelinesque was at the Hard Luck Bar on Dundas West and Zepology was at the Harp & Crown in Pickering. As fans of the greatest rock band in history, T-Mak World caught two of them. You can read about Michael White and The White here. We caught Zepology once before at The Duke on Queen St. East last February. Unlike Classic Albums Live, who did a mesmerizing job on Led Zeppelin II on Thursday. Zepology focuses not merely on performing the songs but accurately recreating the Song Remains The Same live performances in particular as well as the rest of the Zeppelin catalogue.
Since the last time we saw Zepology they have recruited a new drummer, Chris Henry who has worked with Ian Thornley as Big Wreck’s touring drummer. We’ve seen a lot of drummers do Led Zeppelin over the years and Henry was definitely one of the very best. One would think that Henry despises his drums considering the ferocity with which he hits them, but he’s one of the most precise Zeppelin timekeepers we’ve ever seen.
Bassist/keyboardist Tim Haynes takes a break from the bass to play keys for half of the first set and he’s equally adept at both. With Henry the two form a rock solid rhythm section.
Guitarist Garry McDougall reproduces Page like very few others can, playing almost two and a half hours of Zeppelin to note for note perfection, with a pick, a bow or a wave of his hand in front of a theremin.
Vocalist Nello Virdo knows Robert Plant’s every wail, moan and scream and like the rest of the band, pulls them off with incredible precision hitting every note and inflection.
It’s great to hear a set list that pulls other songs from Physical Graffiti than just Kashmir. The section of the second set of For Your Life (from Presence), The Wanton Song (one of Zeppelin’s greatest songs which strangely doesn’t get the love it deserves) and The Rover were a breath of fresh air.
Dancers obscured the view most of the night but didn’t obscure the sound which was top notch. Zepology is playing in the west end next week on Friday the 22nd at Schuey’s Bar N Grill at 1130 Martingrove Road. You can find their full gig listing here.
First Set
Rock & Roll
Celebration Day
Black Dog (Out On The Tiles Intro)
Over The Hills And Far Away
Misty Mountain Hop
Since I’ve Been Loving You
No Quarter
The Song Remains The Same
The Rain Song
How Many More Times
Second Set
Good Times Bad Times
Out On The Tiles
For Your Life
The Wanton Song
The Rover
D’yer Maker
Ramble On
Bring It On Home
The Lemon Song
Moby Dick
Heartbreaker/Whole Lotta Love/Boogie Mama
Encore
Communication Breakdown
Review and photos by Steve Mallinson
