Why not? In recent years, we've proved to be a well-stocked breeding ground for groups that take the lessons of our cousins in the U.S. (Big Star) and the U.K. (Beatles), stomp on the distortion pedal and blow the house down -- Odds and Sloan spring immediately to mind as masters of the art.
Add to that list Toronto's Treble Charger, who showed true Canadian mettle at Major's Hill Park last night and performed an impressive set, despite technical setbacks and bone-chilling temperatures. With icy, damp wind funnelling into the park, the foursome dove headlong into a selection from their new album, Maybe It's Me, to an appreciative crowd of about 300.
What better antidote to the teeth-chattering temperature than guitarist Greig Nori's gently morbid How She Died, or guitarist Bill Priddle's haunting Red? The set wasn't quite as tight as Wednesday's set at Zaphod Beeblebrox, but the challenging conditions didn't dampen their enthusiasm -- particularly bassist Rosie Martin, whose song intros cheekily nodded to Cheap Trick's Live At Budokan.
What strikes you about Treble Charger's music is that these are real songs -- with memorable choruses and clever structure and lyrics that take you from A to B, not just riffs and whiney refrains.
Toronto's Radioblaster didn't have the homefield advantage or burgeoning fame going for them, and were further crippled with a sound mix that played hide-and-seek with the vocals.
Still, the trio gave a spirited performance of speedy, earnest, heartfelt material that probably comes across better on record or at above-zero temperatures.
Hometown darlings Starling proved once again they deserve every bit of the industry buzz they've already managed to generate, and are the most promising act in town. Guitarist Ian Lefeuvre writes songs that infect your memory on first lesson and won't let go, and the trio plays with a kind of telepathic cohesion.
Who: Treble Charger, Radioblaster, Starling
Where: Tulip Festival, Major's Hill Park
Sun Rating: 3 OUT OF 5
