Best of the West

Crooked Brothers

I wonder if I'm turning country since I have more fun at these shows than most other indie shows in Toronto. Thursday night was no different at the Horseshoe Tavern for Alt-Country night. Crooked Brothers was the first band on the bill. Hailing from Manitoba, they played a muscular countrified blues. With harmonica wailing, banjo flicking out rock-like solos, and a singer who often sings with a powerful growl, they played some excellent, toe-tapping original tunes and covers. They did venture into more traditional, old country music such as their take on Caney Fork River.

The Pining is an all-female country band. This time round, they added a violin player. Their songs were fast and catchy, with most clocking in at under 3 minutes. With their twangy vocals and driving drum beats, it was hard to resist stomping your foot to their infectious music.

New Country Rehab was the head-liner tonight. Though there was actually a smaller crowd than the previous show, the band kept the energy high for their set. They were best on fast and furious numbers, eliciting cheers from the crowd for the high octane guitar or fiddle solos. It was no wonder that for the encore, when asked whether they should play a fast or slow song, the crowd responded resoundingly for another scorcher.