Flashback: NXNE – Toronto (June 18, 2011)

As previously mentioned, I am in the process of restoring NXNE 2011 photos, lost for over a decade. NXNE 2011 didn’t officially end until Sunday, but that was also the date of our flight back home. So, Saturday was our last NXNE experience – and it was a doozy! The last band we saw was Peelander-Z at midnight, so technically we saw a Sunday show!

>>>
NXNE: Saturday (06/18/11)

Saturday was absolutely the best of the NXNE week.

Spent daytime taking the King’s streetcar down to Queen’s Quay. By the way, how can a street be both called Queen’s Quay and Harbour Front Road? Very confusing, Canada.

Accidentally found where Harbour Parklands was, which is right near the gates to take the Island ferry. Kaya Fraser was playing acoustic. Unfortunately, we were just passing through, we didn’t stay too long.

There were already a few people in line for the Bruise Cruise at the dock. The queue was confusing, there was already a RSVP and a non-RSVP line, but they also wanted us in boys/girls lines. All liquids and foods were asked to be dumped before entering the ship.

The music cruise was sponsored by M for Montreal and Brooklyn Vegan. I found out that the Brooklyn Vegan dude couldn’t make it because of an expired passport. I guess it’s pretty easy to let that sort of thing lapse, especially if you don’t travel outside the US.

The show started a little after the boat left harbor. As you can see from the lineup, the bands are more on the punk-ish variety.

I saw all the bands, starting with Jesuslesfilles. They were giving away free cassettes (yes, cassettes are the new vinyl).

Uncle Bad Touch was a trio, which had both Kathryn and Mikey sharing the singing duties. They were pretty garagey and noisy, which is odd for a boat ride, I guess. Young Governor’s Ben Cook had the right idea, he was dressed for the part: Hawaiian shirt, skinny legs, sunglasses. He looked like Tom Cruise and Michael J Fox. I liked them, seems to have a lot of stage presence.

Ty Segall was the headliner, who came on stage with double sunglasses. Prior to playing “Annette’s Got the Hits”, Ty was asking for “Steve”. Turns out, bassist Steve McDonald is from Redd Kross, a band that we covered heavily at KFSR 90.7FM when I was still DJing. That’s actually an indication of how long Redd Kross has been around. Anyway, apparently Ty Segall was a huge Redd Kross fan, so this was a dream come true for him.

Devo and Men Without Hats at Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto (06/18/11)

We got back and headed over to see Men Without Hats and Devo at Yonge/Dundas.

Eighties nostalgia was in full swing last night at the NXNE showcase at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, Canada, as Men Without Hats and Devo were on the same bill. What an excellent pairing, if I do say so myself.

Since the Yonge/Dundas shows were open and free to the public, I knew if I really wanted to see these bands, I would have to get there early and stand at a spot in front to get a decent view (having already failed to see Stars in the same location by showing up late). After we got off the Bruise Cruise, we walked over to Yonge because with rush hour traffic, it was just quicker to walk the distance.

We got in to see The Coppertone, a sort of bluesy band with Amanda Zelina doing most of the heavy-lifting. Zelina would argue that it’s “not traditional blues”, and I’m not an expert to say otherwise. The band weren’t on the original schedule for this showcase, but it’s a great opportunity for them to play in front of a nice crowd.

I think their latest release is called Hymns For The Hollow, which came out on vinyl (and digital) last month (May 31st). I actually have a review copy of her 2010 album, Hidden Dreams, which was written in a span of a few days.

The set was a typical NXNE festival, about 40-minute and I only caught three songs, or so, from The Coppertone. I can only say that it was also really hot on the ground, in response to their statement about it’s hot on stage.

Cults is a favorite among the bloggers, as apparent by the million photographers. Their self-titled album came out a week, or so earlier, on Lily Allen’s record label, In The Name Of, and I guess people are in love with it. They were pretty catchy, even threw in an F word after the lyrics “I can’t be the way you want” (from “Never Saw the Point”).

The one thing I will say is that singer Madeline Follin only has one mode of dancing. While not a terrible thing, it’s not a whole lot of stage presence. Look for them on tour on the West Coast in July and some festivals in August.

After forty years, Men Without Hats, are still an excellent band. Known in America as a one-hit-wonder band for “Safety Dance”, but I have to say, I love them anyway. Singer Ivan Doroschuk (who ironically was wearing a hat) still has the moves, as he hops and jump and does his Mick Jagger moves on the intro cover song, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. Song selections from their set includes their “hits” like “Antarctica” and “Pop Goes The World” are from their early 80s album, Rhythm of Youth, Folk of the 80’s (Part III), and Pop Goes The World.

Highlight of the show was when they asked Ivan’s brother, Colin, to come on stage to help them play “Where Do the Boys Go?”. Of course, they ended their set with the song that everyone was there to witness: “Safety Dance”, it’s an excellent song to end the show.

Devo is in top form. They have their show down to an artform, complete with their own lights and fog machine and images on screen. With this sort of tight control over their images, I suspect the setlist might be practically the same every night. They started off with “Don’t Shoot”, followed by my favorite Devo song, “Peek-A-Boo!” in their “modern” Devo roboto look and masks.

The band quickly changed outfits to their “original” Devo costumes with their signature “pots” energy hats (in blue) for “Girl U Want”. It would all be over too quickly as they set in their big hit song, “Whip It” and ended their set with “Planet Earth”.

They did an encore, which is kind of unheard of at these sorts of festivals, but a final costume change for “Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA”, as you can see on their website.

Anyway, had a fantastic time, can’t believe this excellent show was completely free.

Devo’s set ran well past 10pm, which meant that I’ve just missed Smoke Fairies. That’s fine, that gave me enough time take it easy on the way to Comfort Zone on Spadina to see Peelander-Z.

Comfort Zone was easily the worst of the venue at NXNE that I’ve been to. It’s a dirty, pitch-black basement basically. It’s perfect for low-fi or punk bands, which was what Neon Windbreaker were. They spent as much time on stage as they singing in the audience. They had a local following, which is easy to see why because of their high energy and loud performance. Only thirty minutes before they called it quits.

Meanwhile, there was a band (I found out later was PUP) that played while the main stage was being setup. They were a trio, and they played the same set of songs prior to both Neon Windbreaker and Peelander-Z.

Peelander-Black was nowhere to be seen; I am assuming he doesn’t have the proper paperwork to enter the country. Cristina and my suspicions that he’s still a Japanese citizen comes to mind. Either that, or they’ve sacked him, which I hope wasn’t the case.

Talked briefly to Peelander-Red prior to their show, asked them about their 5 O’Clock show (which we couldn’t make it because of being stuck on a boat) and he said it was a great show. They had children in the audience, which I think their music and show is perfect for them.

Anyway, I’ve seen Peelander-Z a few times now, so this was a typical show for them. Red does the usual crowd surf (failed on first attempt!), but because we were in a basement, he was playing neck to feet to the ceiling! Talk about raise the roof.

Audience participation was required, of course, and if you’ve seen their show, you know that this method is used to distract us while the giant squid and jump rope and human bowling are played out. Lots of fun.

Because of the festival shows, this was one of their shorter set. Don’t know their new songs, but “So Many Mike”, “Mad Tiger”, “Taco Taco Taco”, “Ice Cream”, “Ninja High School”, and “S.T.E.A.K.” were played.

One thing I should mention is that the Toronto audience were younger, and they sure slam dance/mosh violently to Peelander-Z songs! Seriously, kids, take it easy! The poor security guard, he couldn’t do anything.

Read more Flashback.

vu ♥ wheartm.com ♥ @weheartmusic ♥ weheartmusicgroup