May 6 2014 – Bella Clava’s long awaited Medicine for Melancholy CD release party was on Friday at the Horseshoe Tavern. As frontwoman Caitlin Dacey said from the stage, it was more like a house party. On the bill were their friends The Lying Cheats, The Mercy Now and their pals from Cincinnati, Mad Anthony. In the crowd were local friends and from their hometown of Thunder Bay.
The band played the new album in its entirety and it seriously rocks! There are so many great songs but one in particular Broken Spirit, should be a breakthrough radio hit. It was recorded at Rancho De La Luna in the desert in California, the studio made famous by Queens of the Stone Age. No longer new to the band, Jody (the Animal) Brumell demonstrated why he earned the “animal”. Bonzo would definitely be proud. Brumell counts (screams?) in the title track Medicine for Melancholy, formerly known as We Were Dead when it came out on Youtube last year. This song could give Mississippi Queen a run for its money as the best three minute song in rock. It’s certainly well titled as there is no chance of melancholy during that song. Dacey has cornered the market on the best guitarists around. We all know her other project Public Animal features the Jedi master himself, Ian Blurton, but Steve Suttie plays with the same fiery passion. Speaking of guitar, Dacey played guitar herself for several of the songs.
And, a first, for me at least, Caitlin stepped out for a song simply as lead singer and this was definitely a special treat. When you’ve been weaned on the likes of Plant, Daltrey, Tyler, Rose, Jagger et al, there is just something proper about a singer just singing. Maybe it’s a confirmation bias issue, but Dacey’s vocals were at their most expressive best during that song.
Bella Clava is playing two shows for CMW this week. The first will be Wednesday night at the Bovine, then Saturday night at 3am at the Hideout. What a way to close CMW!
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The Lying Cheats
The Lying Cheats were definitely the most pleasant surprise of the night. The Lying Cheats features Public Animal’s unbelievable drummer Ryan Gassi. They played some rockabilly and surf inspired rock n roll.
Unfortunately I have to admit, I don’t know much about The Lying Cheats but will definitely be getting out to see them when they play Cherry Cola’s on Friday May 23rd.
The Mercy Now
We usually see The Mercy Now at the Bovine but their show at the Horseshoe was the best we’ve seen. They played some great new material. The Mercy Now is one of the best bands in Toronto and it’s always worth getting out to see them.
Mad Anthony
We usually see Mad Anthony at Cherry Cola’s or Bovine and, like The Mercy Now, it was great to see them on the bigger stage of the Horseshoe. Certainly having them drive up from Cincinnati to celebrate with their good friends in Bella Clava enhanced with party vibe. It was, as Dacey said more than once, her dream bill.
Review and photos by Steve Mallinson
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