Date of show: February 23, 2012
Shot of choice: Jager
Written by: Chiara DiAngelo
Opening with “The Low Road,” Matt Fratpietro (guitar, vocals), Mike Kondakow (guitar), Dave Grant (guitar), Scott Burke (bass) and Konrad Commisso (drums) came out rocking, playing to a Horseshoe Tavern packed with friends, media and other bands, including members of Topanga, The Sweet Mack and Teenage Kicks- not bad for a group of guys who didn’t know a soul when they first moved to the city just over a year ago.
Having seen Poor Young Things more times than I can count in the past year, it’s been a treat to witness the band’s stage performance tighten and the crowds grow with each show. And it all culminated in this, their EP release. Fratpietro commanded the stage like he owned it. Grant was on fire, often travelling across the stage to interact with Fratpietro and Burke. The chemistry between band members was nothing short of electric.
Their set showed off all the songs from their newly released EP Let It Sleep, as well as unreleased “War Paint,” “Running” and “Trophy Kids,” which had the crowd singing along with the anthemic lament “growing up’s been getting me down.” Crowd participation continued on with title track “Let It Sleep.”
Inviting good friend and mentor Jeff Heisholt (The Trews) to the stage, he took the keys for “Fire,” bringing another level of dynamic energy to their set, and had Kondakow on his knees. Heisholt remained on stage for one more song, and the addition of keys to the instrumental break in “Reckless Young” was really something special.
Absolutely euphoric, Fratpietro thanked Toronto for being so good to them. After debuting a solid new track “The State,” they launched into their closer, covering Billy Joel’s rebellious “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” With fists pumping, feet pounding, and voices yelling, the audience unleashed their inner reckless young, and made the band’s “big dreams of surging crowds” a reality.
If you are in Western Canada, look for Poor Young Things as they stroll through a town near you. Toronto, you can catch them next month during CMW!
Having met Graeme Jones (guitar, vocals), Jason Fitzpatrick (guitar, vocals), Ben Quinn (bass), Mike Jacques (drums) of The Davey Parker Radio Sound while volunteering at the Hideout during NxNE last year, I was looking forward to having a chance to catch more of their set this time around.
With a classic rock feel that would be quite at home on Psychedelic Sunday (Q107), DPRS delivered a gritty yet fun set featuring songs off their 2011 release In A Land of Wolves and Thieves, including “The One You Love For Free” with its drawling vocals and “Houston,” about a man who doesn’t want to be found. Getting into the party spirit, DPRS encouraged the audience to come get a high five. They finished up with up-tempo “Trains Are Never Easy On The Run,” which had both band members and the crowd dancing.
Comprised of Michael Hill (guitar, vocals), Emily Anderson (piano, violin, vocals), Kohji Nagata (guitar, lap steel guitar, trumpet, vocals), Josh Awerbuck (guitar, vocals), Brett Harris (bass) and Ted Turner (drums), The Maladies of Adam Stokes opened the night. With six people in this indie alt-country band, the stage was filled – with flannel and whole lot of instruments. With two EPs under their belt, they’ve amassed a fair-sized following and had a good crowd out early and singing along.
I really enjoyed the violin and infusion of piano in the songs provided by Anderson. I had my eyes on the talented multi-instrumentalist Nagata for much of their set as he switched between guitar, lap steel and even the trumpet. Word has it they are in the studio recording their first full length; I’ll definitely be keeping an ear out for its release.
Closing out the night was Lambs Become Lions. Having shared the stage with Poor Young Things last Saturday in their hometown of St Catharines, Eric Conlon (vocals, rhythm guitar), Justin Jennings (guitar), Rob Paulin (bass), and Jesse Ingelevics (drums) were happy to join them for round two.
While much of the crowd petered out after Poor Young Things, those that remained were treated to LBL’s set of poppy tunes off their 2011 EP Cicada. Honest and emotional, Conlon sings from the heart about the very real experiences of falling in love, losing yourself, and having to say goodbye. There is a pristine purity to these songs, taking you back to that carefree time and place when you were so sure your summer fling was going to last forever – and the subsequent crash back to reality when Fall set in.
Having all been in previous projects, there is a certain maturity to the band; Jennings’ fluid movements are a treat to behold and Ingelevics is one of the most talented drummers you will ever come across. Playing for the first time ever at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Conlon was just thankful to be part of the night and expressed his sincere gratitude to those in the late night crowd for sticking around and dancing. If anyone can melt the often cold and jaded heart of Toronto, it’s Lambs Become Lions; be sure to check them out next time they are in town!
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