Canadian Music Week, Toronto – Day 4
It’s the start of our fourth night at Canadian Music Week and the past three nights of gigging and drinking, coupled with lack of daylight and any sign of healthy food is beginning to take its toll! Nonetheless we are hardened gig goers, journalists and drinkers so we soldier on and head out into the night for more live music.
Our first stop tonight is Sneaky Dee’s where electronic disco band MEN are playing. We get there a 
little early and find a bizarre sight on stage; a voluptuous brunette in leotard and tights with a Britney style mike performing an energetic and extremely tongue in cheek workout routine. She’s aided by two extremely camp men, one on the decks providing a live mix and the other wearing a sparkly gold vest joining in on the moves. As I write this on paper this sounds horrendous, but there and then, amongst the bustling, young vibrant and predominantly gay audience it seemed so right! Her name is Cherie Lily. Make it your mission in life to see her at least once.
After such a workout we need to quench our thirst so it’s back to the bar for a quick pint before MEN take the stage. With MEN three is very much the theme; three members, three letters in the band name, a macbook with the lit apple logo turned into a triangle with masking tape, triangles all over the bands trousers and t-shirts and the band come on stage with construction hats connected by piping to form a ….triangle! As for the music, well it’s hi-energy disco which is not normally my thing, but the reports are that they put on an excellent live show, and besides you can’t beat a bit of variety! Lyrically their songs are quite political; unusual for disco music but then two of the three members are from well known left wing electroclash outfit Le Tigre. To be honest the politics are largely lost to the audience, but the atmosphere is fantastic, the only 
band to draw a bigger crowd so far have been Zeus, and as it turns out they really do put on a great live show!
After the excitement we feel the need to chill out a bit so head to a small but very cool little bar called the Press Room. The Press Room isn’t taking part in CMW but they do have a band on, friends of my friend Kevin, so we pop along to check them out and say hi. Shbti are a trio featuring two girls (drums and bass) and a guy (lead, vocals) who play really good garage rock, I especially like the slack vocal delivery from the lead singer which gives them a great rock n roll feel.
Shbti finish their short set and after a quick chat we leave the Press Room to make our way back across town to the Comfort Zone. Tonight the Comfort Zone plays host to The Zoobombs, a Japanese rock
band. Though they reside in Tokyo, judging by the size and buzz of the crowd The Zoobombs have played here in Toronto on several occasions in the past, the anticipation as we wait for them to make their appearance is almost palpable. When they do take the stage and launch into their set the audience literally explode and for the first time in this festival we see a proper moshpit. The set is about 40 minutes long and they only stop briefly to thank the audience and ask for a prayer for those in Japan affected by the Earthquake and tsunami of the day before. Other than they’re like a runaway train as one song segues into the next giving neither the band nor the crowd the chance to breath. When they finish it’s clear that crowds chants of ‘one more song’ aren’t going to subside so the band make a triumphant return and the smile on their faces (especially the lead singer) says it all. The Zoobombs are without a doubt the best live act we’ve seen all week and as we leave The Comfort Zone we’re still buzzing so decide to pop into the Silver Dollar for a final pint before we head home after what has turned out to be a perfect night of live music.
Mark Cousens
All photography by Kevin Lloyd – www.kevinlloydphotography.com
Check out these free mp3s from tonight’s top bands:
The Zoobombs – Highway a Go Go
Men – Credit Card Babie$ (Stereogamous Bath House Version)
Links:
www.myspace.com/zoobombs
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Nice write up Mark!
But less of the food comments! lol
But yes we are hardened gig goers
Cheers,
Kevin.
Thank you so much for your kind review. It means the world to have your love and support! xoxo