99 Problems

As the heat dome continues to smother Toronto and keeps me from good night's sleep, I decided to head down to the Dakota Tavern, a dive bar that can host about 120 people or so, to listen to some live music. It is the last week of a month-long residency every Tuesday night for Dwayne Gretzky. Besides Dwayne Gretzky, I have no idea who is in the line-up.

First up is Molly Rankin from the Maritimes. Her band plays a 50s retro sound with a few songs venturing into folk territory. Allie Hughes then takes the stage to play an abbreviated set. I've noticed this before, but her upper register is so big that once she starts her diva-esque wailing, the mike starts to clip. I have also noticed from previous shows that she puts on this slightly off-kilter glassy-eyed smiling persona. But looking at her interactions off-stage, I'm starting to wonder if it really is a stage affect.

Dwayne Gretzky finally takes the stage a little after 12 am. Comprising of members from Sweet Thing with a rotating line-up, tonight it would be Allie Hughes and her drummer, the bassist from Molly Rankin on guitar, and Spookey Reuben, they play cover songs from every genre: 60s soul, 80s rock, even 90s hip-hop. They get the packed house dancing and singing for almost 2 hours straight. The tunes finally end at 2 am. For a $7 cover, you sure get your money's worth.

They are so popular that their residency has been extended to August. So every Tuesday, they'll be taking the stage. It's not a bad way to earn a couple of hundreds regularly. I wonder if they'll do weddings, because that wouldn't be a steep fee, and being still young and passionate, they blow any wedding band out of the water.