Sam Roberts @ The Kee to Bala

Sam Roberts @ The Kee to Bala
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

It's been a few days now but the only thing playing consistently on my ipod has been the Sam Roberts band. This is the second time I've seen Sam Roberts live. The first was @ Live 8 in Barrie (Park Place or Toronto for tv land but that's another story). I quite enjoy the feel of a more intimate setting than the large festival type shows. Of course up to now I've only been way out in the crowd for most of these and haven't had the pleasure of the pit. First off the show was @ The Kee To Bala. Anyone who's ever seen a show @ The Kee can testify that its quite a unique experience. Nestled in the middle of cottage country this place really does get bouncing... literally. And I'm quite certain that most of the patrons, after a day at the cottage, are already feeling pretty good by the time they get to the show. On this night Sam and the band gave us all good reason to feel even better. The band started off with their current single Them Kids to a great reception from the crowd. The band powered through their set with hits like Dead End, Don't Walk Away Eileen and Bridge To Nowhere. Everyone was fully engaged and singing along loudly to the slower songs Taj Mahal and Uprising Down Under. My personal faves for the night were Brother Down and the final song Where Have All the Good People Gone. Great show ! One I'll remember for a while.

Ubiquitos Synergy Seeker @ The Foundation Night Club

USS @ The Foundation Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Incredible !! Pure and Total Energy !! I knew we were in for a great show when I saw the guys stretching before the performance. Instantly a smile crept onto my face and for the whole night it didn't fade. I've started looking for shows to go to up here in Barrie and was quite surprised and very pleased when I found out these guys were coming to town. After having seen Les Breastfeeders @ The Horseshoe I've been looking for bands with some energy, excitement and movement to shoot. USS did not fail in this respect. They entertained the crowd with songs like Hollow Point Sniper Hyperbole, 2 and 15 16ths and Drop Around The Clock. Both members were great but Human Kebab is really something else spinning tunes, frantically dancing and without notice running out from behind the turntables and into the crowd and back faster than you can say Hollow Point. The highlight of the show for me was the tandem foot scratching displayed in this photo. The crowd ate it all up. By the end of the show the stage was full of crazed fans. Overall just a great show. A must see !!!

The Hots @ The Mod Club

The Hots @ The Mod Club Saturday July 12, 2008
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

They're hot alright ! The Hots were in fine form at the Mod Club Saturday July 12, 2008. It was quite an interesting night. The show was supposed to start at 10:45 pm. However upon arrival The Hots' fans were treated to the end of the Burlesque Ball being held at the club that night. The berlesquers proved to be a good opener for the band as the fans were cheering along with the nights original guests. After a quick clean up the band hit the stage getting their fans up and dancing with the upbeat Ze Germans. The band continued their solid performance with songs like Long Time Caller and Apollo Creed. The set was topped off with an aerialist performing in the middle of the club up a red band of cloth attached to the Mod Club's ceiling. Great show Hots !

The Quarry @ The Foundation Night Club

The Quarry @ The Foundation Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Barrie's got talent !!! The Quarry were supposed to open for Kris Roe @ The Foundation Night Club. Kris explained that he had a long drive ahead of him and asked The Quarry to switch spots in the line up. I was a little tired after seeing Kris and the band rock and was planning to stick around for just a couple of songs. Then The Quarry hit the stage and I couldn't leave. They were really good and I quite enjoyed the set. That and frontman Jeff Brennan really seemed to like the camera made for quite a fun night. Great job guys !

Les Breastfeeders @ The Horseshoe Tavern

Les Breastfeeders @ The Horseshoe Tavern
Originally uploaded by vasquezr
Headed down to the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern for this show on a recommendation from my brother in law. He told me they were quite energetic and would make for some cool shots. This was my second trip to the Horseshoe and if they were going to be active I thought I should bring my flash with me. They took the stage and rocked the house. Their songs are mostly french so I didn't quite understand everything they were saying. No matter. They were a lot of fun and quite active. The place was packed and rowdy. It was all good fun. I can't wait till they come back to Toronto.

We Are The Take @ The El Mocambo

We Are The Take @ The El Mocambo
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

As per my previous post I found out about We Are The Take when I was looking for bands to shoot in Toronto. I listened to the music on their myspace page and was quite impressed. So off I went to the El Mocambo for the night. They were the second band to play and performed a great set that kept everyone quite entertained. I'll have to keep an eye on these guys. Would love to seem them live again soon.

The Hots @ The El Mocambo

The Hots @ The El Mocambo
Originally uploaded by vasquezr
I'm trying to hit the clubs as often as I can to shoot live bands. Had a look @ the El Mocambo website and found three bands playing this night: The Hots, We Are The Take and Bad Flirt. After listening to the myspace pages for these bands there was no question I was going to be there. The Hots were the first band up. The played a really good energetic set. I really enjoyed it and was pleased
to find out they'd be playing again really soon @ The Mod Club.