NEWS
7
2005April
TORONTO-360-PHASE 2
Back to the Emergenza grinder in round two, the bands are catching on and the duckies are in a row. No time for smoke and mirrors, it''s time to honk bobo and put the promotion in its place. We've had three solid shows and an overwhelming amount of talent. Here's a look at the action.
MAR 24: EMPTY CHAMBER bailed on us, they attended the tech. meeting and seemed ready to go, but when it came time to sound check they were nowhere to be found and would not return our phone calls, very unprofessional, sad but true. EIGHTY 8 on the other hand showed great enthusiasm, brought a pile of fans and whipped out an uber set of funk-punk-and-rock-n-roll (definitely one of the sickest bassists in T-dot). SYMPHONY OF NINE, Emergenza veterans know what it takes to be a rock band; a tight set and a tight fan base, job well done. The last band worth mentioning on this night was the one that dominated the evening (after witnessing their set, I had a bunch of jaded Queen-streeters ask me, “who the f*ck are they?”), with a Hammond Organ and Leslie speaker in tow, plus dual guitar and glued together rhythm section (merch too!) it was impossible to deny these guys a first place spot.
MAR 25: RAW DOG squeezed into a qualifying spot because we had a tie for 3rd place so we brought them up as an extra band, and of course they put on their usual set of insanity, with all musicians on the front line taking notes. SIX O'CLOCK NEWS and ALWAYS ONE AWAY scored the tie for third place both spewing wicked sets of original spunk-rock-n-roll to loads of dedicated fans everything was creamy. This next group, THE LATE GREAT wins most improved show with the addition of a new guitarist. They played a most unique set of alternative originals, absolutely a band re-born and a serious threat in the next round. Our next band, SUMMER COLLIDES made the biggest impression with their performance and fan base (the audience kept screaming their name so loud the M.C. could barely announce them as the shows top winner) they are surely destined for bigger and better things.
MAR 26: MARR (in picture) took the stage with a dope-ass 25 minutes of throw-down. COLOUR OF EACH had one of the tightest rhythm sections of the week and with a killer front man thrown in this band easily moves on to the next round. DIANE RAESIDE AND SWEETWATER proved you don''t have to get on stage and scream your lungs out to get attention you can do what they did and play well-written pop rock with three part harmonies. The gang to beat, the band who is not f-ing around is the FIELDBABIES (look at their stats!) and well deserved, their fans know a good thing when they hear it and they continually support the babies whenever they have a gig, I smell finals.
There it is, a 2005 taste of round two at the 360, it's yummy and feels good in the tummy, but that was just the first course, there are two more to go, so get a window seat and send complements to the Chef. Tip your waiter!