2006-03-01 - 1:22

I've got rhymes gallot and then I never fail

The weekend was a great one, as I finally got out to some concerts again. After having missed several recent chances to see Cuff the Duke, I caught them Saturday at Barrymore's. This was my first time seeing them as headliners and also my first chance to see the new line-up (since the guitarist left the band and the drummer is injured).

Even though I consider their self-titled release to be one of last year's better albums, this show was another reminder that the band is much better live. They were in fine form all night, especially with the encore-closing "Anti-Social." The crowd was also fantastic, which is always a surprise in this town. Lots of people were dancing and singing along.

You know it's going to be a good night when even the drunk girls are well behaved, keeping quiet while the band is playing and seeming to know every song, even if they were rather singly-focused in their requests for "John Henry." The opening band, The Old Soul, were also a lot of fun, adding up to a great night that reminded me what I've been missing during the usual winter lull.

Of course, the big show was Sunday, with Laurie and I making the trip to Montreal for Belle and Sebastian and The New Pornographers. This was apparently a big draw--I don't think that I have ever seen so many people taking the midnight bus back to Ottawa; and more than half of the travellers had obviously been to the concert.

Surprisingly, I am so on the ball for this show that I wrote my review yesterday. Judging by all of the venue complaints about the Toronto show that started the tour, I'm glad that the band included Montreal in their plans this time around, as their stint at the Metropolis was a complete success.

Now I just need to polish off a real recap of the Cuff the Duke show.

Oh yes, I also experienced my first earthquake the other night; but being the lazy fellow that I am, I'll say that it's easier to just read Laurie's explanation of that one.

J.