[thebends]

Pack A.D., Dinosaur Bones, USS, and Awolnation - Sound Acedemy Troronto December 16th.

SA is one of my least favourite venues in Toronto; that is until we discovered the VIP balcony option where the sightlines and sound are second to none. Tickets are a little more expensive but well worth it for a curmudgeon like me.

Pack A.D. was excellent - two gals from Vancouver, drums and guitar only; very similar to a White Stripes or Black Keys set up. Simple but catchy riffs - would see them again. Dino Bones was good but didn't seem to pack the energy of the Pack A.D. so they were a little flat in my opinion.

USS was simply amazing; I suspect these Toronto based guys will explode once they start touring the US. Their sound is a mix of grunge-like semi acoustic riffs, drum and bass loops usually in two step rhythms, and synth\turntable stylings. Fantastic sound and massive stage presence. They typically play small Toronto area bars and do the Western loop every year. We’ve paid as little as $7 a ticket for a USS show … well worth it.

Awolnation was very good, better than expected. Frankly we were there for the USS show so it was nice to see some new live music that we weren't familiar with. Regrettably the crowd kept up the USS, USS, USS chant for most of their show which was very annoying and not worthy of a mature Toronto crowd ... which this was not. Saw many, many fights most of them erupting from ape mosh pit behaviour on the floor.

Moral of the story – go see USS if you get a chance.

[emperor penguin]

Regrettably the crowd kept up the USS, USS, USS chant for most of their show which was very annoying and not worthy of a mature Toronto crowd ... which this was not. Saw many, many fights most of them erupting from ape mosh pit behaviour on the floor.

Not surprised to hear about this type of crowd at the SA, every show I've seen there has featured this type of crowd. I did not know about the V.I.P. upper area though. I will definitely be taking advantage of this if I ever see another show there.

[thebends]

RHCP Friday April 27th ACC Toronto - Excellent show, tight as hell, and great seats to boot. Any doubts if new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer who replaced founding member John Frusciante would live up to expectations were quickly dispelled Friday night. It’s quite incredible how tight these guys are, and the fact they jam in and out of most songs makes the set lists quite a bit more enjoyable. We've been buying side stage seats for the last few concerts which give you a fantastic perspective of the show while staying close to the stage. They are usually cheaper and you get to see all the back stage antics you would never notice sitting anywhere else. All in all a great show!