Date of show: April 29, 2011
By the time Teenage Kicks hit the stage at 12:30, the venue was packed, especially right up front. The set started off with “Brooklyn Bridge,” the same way the band starts off their Rational Anthems EP, the release of which was being celebrated that night. It didn’t take long for the guys to get all sweaty rocking out. Peter van Helvoort’s vocals are gritty, wretching, and powerful. Drummer Cameron Brunt and guitarist Patrick Marchent do their part to deliver their pure rock and roll that nods to classic influences while remaining pop conscious.
Unfortunately, Jeff van Helvoort was not able to play because of a work-related wrist injury (and was also being watched by WSIB), so Chance Hutchison (The Bad Ideas) took his place on bass and backup vocals. Jeff did make an appearance on stage for some vocal contribution, but he was bass-less. For their last song of their set, “River,” Shehzaad Jiwani of Greys, who happened to be releasing their EP the very next night, joined Teenage Kicks on stage. The vocal combo between to the two was stunning, and Jiwani particularly blew me away, as his unassuming stage presence disguised his powerful scream. It was a great end to the set, but, without even making it off the stage, Peter told the crowd he was going to sing a song alone, “Rational Anthems,” before being joined by the rest of the band for a cover of CCR’s “Fortunate Son” as their big encore.
Peter said it best when remarking upon the packed Horseshoe Tavern, “I guess some might say good things come to those who wait?” Though those are the lyrics he penned himself, looking out into the excited crowd, the cheesy line was appropriate. Although Teenage Kicks hasn’t even been around very long yet, the van Helvoort brothers have played in many different musical incarnations. Considering the many fans that were amped to sing along the whole set, the wait must feel worth it now.
Here’s the setlist:
Brooklyn Bridge
Hearts of Darkness
And Everybody Knows It
Real Problems
I Get What You Give
Lose Your Head
Shook Our Bones
River
Encore:
Rational Anthems
Fortunate Son (cover)
Special thanks to Kayley Luftig of Turn Up My Photo for these shots!
buying shots for bands 
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