It was more than a spectacular delight to see Germans perform in Toronto for the first time in over a year. The band had gone through rough patches with their old label, Arena Rock. Now, with less members but the same sweaty fun, Germans are back with some new tunes and some old habits (ie. broken strings, but who complains when you have someone to entertain you by balancing a guitar on their chin?)

Germans plan to play more shows now that frontman Leon Taheny has some time away from drumming with Sebastian Grainer. To those who want to hear new Germans put down onto a shiny recorded disc, get your hopes up because it’s likely to happen sometime soon!

SummerWorks is done for another year! The 2nd year which involved a music portion seemed to fair positively to the all-ages crowd that had attended each night. Despite sweaty confines, people enjoyed themselves and that was pretty-much the point. Respect goes out to Eric Warner for booking all the bands and dealing with tech/band/whatever problems that came from every direction. Also, to all of the SummerWorks volunteers (in and out of the Theatre Centre), you all did a great job keeping the program going every night.

Looking forward to next year? I’d say so.

For a detailed write-up on the festival, visit Narratives.

The D’Urbervilles and Forest City Lovers, being the awesome friends that they are to each other, decided to have a Family Show where both bands with play small sets and then a collaborative set. Although I can’t say much for both sets, they were both fun and they made everyone happy. Also, they made everyone sweat. DAMN, it was hot in there.

For a detailed write-up on the festival, visit Narratives.

The SummerWorks Festival kept on-a-goin’ last night Halifax’s The Got To Get Got. I saw this band over a year ago when they played The Whippersnapper Gallery and they had caught my attention — a collective sound of mixed percussion, unison vocals and dancy tunes.

I enjoyed their set last night. Smiles all-around despite a not-so sizeable crowd as compared to previous nights at The Theatre Centre. However, I took in what I could and left happy. Only complaint was the muddy sound, especially in the lead vox. This was a shame. Regardless, I recommend them to an audience who enjoy a dance or two. Always a good time.

For a detailed write-up on the festival, visit Narratives.

Whether you’ve never heard of them before or you ruined dance floors with their powerful affinity for love and vigor, Think About Life will never fail to entertain. It is only understood that a group of nuns practicing a vow of silence would be difficult to break. But, for the most part, these guys can make new friends easily.

The band started off the night to excited new-comers who had probably heard the band’s sound here and there. Their new record ‘Family’ has grabbed peoples attention quite easily compared to their previous record (which, by the way, is still one of my favourite records of all time). One could say that ‘Family’ is more friendly to the ears. Oh, I love it, too. I just love the S/T record better, if not best. It’ll never die in my heart.

Ok. Cleared up.

A few songs in, only a few people were dancing. This got me bothered. So, after being littered in confetti (thanks Martin), I put away my camera and decided to make a mess…of people! The slam-dancing pitters came about and the sweaty fun began! After seeing Think About Life a countless number of times, I’ve learned that they feed off the audience’s energy. Members would run into the audience, push and pull their way around, hand out the mic for random people to sing & scream and, to my amusement, an imaginary joint.

Following them were DDMMYYYY. To be honest, I photoed for them a couple of weeks back and I was very happy with the shots. So, I put the camera down and enjoyed the set. Odd slam-dancing, broken drum-sticks for no reason, and I was still littered in confetti. Sweat + confetti. C’mon.

ADDED NOTE: For those of you who were at the show and heard me yelling out old requests, this is an example of what Think About Life were like a few years ago (mind Graham in the dashing ensemble): click.

For a detailed write-up on the festival, visit Narratives.

The 2009 SummerWorks Festival has sprung into its 19th year, and with its success at bringing out the arts into summerland of Toronto, there is music to be had! The festival began its music portion last year with local music-booking favourite Eric Warner taking the reigns. He’s back again with a slew of fantastic Canadian acts for everyone to enjoy!

Last night was the first show with Francophone quintet, Karkwa. As Louis-Jean Cormier (Lead Vox/Guitars) said prior to the start of the show, “We sing in French, but that doesn’t matter. Enjoy the music!” Having seen them for a few songs at CMW a few years ago, I was intrigued at their Prog-Rock sound. Last night, they kept up that trait of their music with impressive results. Although Karkwa could seamlessly stretch their songs into ballads, the band managed to keep their tunes to a suitable length for the fairly new audience. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing them again.

The band are on Quebec’s Audiogram label. Their latest record is ‘Le volume du vent’.

Miracle Fortress, which began as a solo project with loops, a drum-kit, a guitar, vocals and sometimes a wig & shades, had sprouted into a five-piece band a couple of years ago. Last night was the first time Miracle Fortress has dawned upon Toronto since last Summer. Commander Graham Van Pelt had been very busy with his other (AMAZING) project, Think About Life (who play tonight, same venue). Van Pelt came back to Toronto like he had way back when: alone with loop pedals (no wig, though). Regardless of the stage population, Van Pelt put on a great performance, sporting new songs with very uplifting twists — danceable twists! Now I have all of those new songs stuck in my head on repeat. I’m kind-of hoping for a surprise secret Miracle Fortress show where he performs the same set again. Yes, also with the Talking Heads’ cover which made the encore extra sweet!

Van Pelt’s other band, Think About Life, play tonight with DDMMYYYY at The Theatre Centre. 10pm!!! GET READY TO SWEAT! It’d be a shame if you didn’t.

For a detailed write-up on the festival, visit Narratives.