May 12 2014 – It was a great night at CMW on Friday with some of our favourites playing.
THE DAMN TRUTH
Definitely the best thing to come out of Montreal (sorry to the Habs, Montreal bagels and Montreal Smoked meat [edit: apparently you’ve never been to Schwartz’s]), {ED. NOTE – Not sure how you can make the “definitely” statement but HABS RULE! – T-Mak} The Damn Truth is one of T-Mak World’s favourite indie bands. They play an amazing hard edge yet soulful blues with lead singer Lee-La Baum’s raw talent, sensuality and sexuality a tour de force. If you’re not captivated by the amazing vocals, heavy blues guitar sound, pounding drums and bass as well as the chemistry of the band you better check yourself for a pulse.
The Damn Truth is beginning a Canadian tour with The Balconies and Head of the Herd so make sure you check them out in your area.
THE HONEYRUNNERS
The Honeyrunners played a heavier set than we have seen them play in the past especially at last year’s Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival. This shows the diversity of the band as they can play a set with a more folky sound and can also go and play heavier rock including a great cover of Led Zep’s Ramble On. Their single Jet Set and Hold Me were among the highlights.
WHITE HILLS
This New York based band is highly acclaimed and had great visuals but Space Rock is a little too far down the psychedelic scale, so this was a chance to take a break at the back of the venue and watch a game of giant Jenga.
PUBLIC ANIMAL
The first of two Public Animal CMW shows went down at the Hideout. This year’s CMW had a dearth of #RealRock. Fortunately though there are still those like Public Animal that refuse to go quietly into the night. Public Animal is led by guitar virtuoso Ian Blurton whose unmatched skills and mighty riffs drive the band. That said, it isn’t merely an Ian Blurton solo project, each member of the band is exceptionally talented. Co-lead vocalist, keyboardist Caitlin Dacey’s Jon Lord-inspired sounds give the band its psychedelic tone. The rhythm section of Eric Larock on bass and Ryan Gassi on drums is as good as it gets. The band’s debut album will be out soon and fans should mark Saturday, June 28th on their calendars for their album release party at the Bovine Sex Club. It’s unfortunate the Hideout, as usual, kept so many fans outside when the room was far from capacity. There will be certainly be no such issues on June 28th when the Bovine will be packed.
THE BALCONIES
The Balconies came to CMW in the midst of a Canadian tour with Head of the Herd. Having shared the stage with the likes of Rival Sons, Devo, and Sloan to name a few, The Balconies continue to refine their sound and the impact of playing with seasoned bands is paying off. Jacquie’s stage presence is completely infectious and the raw energy is hard to top.
HEAD OF THE HERD
Hailing from Vancouver, the first impression is a band in suspenders and thin black leather ties circa 1981 is it’s not going to be able to rock it hard. We have recently seen a number of bands in suits that can rock and this is definitely true of Head of the Herd. Highlights of the set included when lead vocalist Neuman Mannas asked the crowd to get low during one of the songs. Others were their single By This Time Tomorrow and like The Honeyrunners they included a Zep cover, specifically a great brief rendition of The Ocean. T-Mak World loves seeing bands that play great original material but also pay homage to the legends of past.
THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
And with this, it was time to call it a night.
Michael Litt’s Gig of the Night. You could not go wrong with anything we experienced on day 4. However I would give the edge to The Balconies due to Jacquie’s’ mind-blowing crazy energy.
John Dash Gig of the Night: Loved the soulful blues of The Damn Truth.
Steve Mallinson’s Gig of the Night is Public Animal but I love the Damn Truth, they’re so damn good.
Review by Michael Litt and Steve Mallinson. Photos by Steve Mallinson and Michael Litt.
Canadian Music Week 2014 May 9 CMW 2014 Recap
