Zombie Shuffle

It was the Saturday before Halloween, 12 local bands were set to perform 20 minute sets at Silver Dollar and Comfort Zone. These two venues usually have separate entrances, but since they share a common stairwell accessible from Silver Dollar, it was possible to combine them. The alternating format allowed for quick set-up, but it required patrons to move between venues from set to set. Since you couldn't bring your booze with you, there were a lot of chugging at the exits.

In the spirit of masquerade, not only were the patrons dressed up in costumes, but each band also covered another well-known band. This allowed both the performers and crowd to rock out to some favourite tunes leading to an unusual sight at most small Toronto venues: a packed floor, with people right up against the stage, dancing and moshing. There were other strange sights: the Bride of Frankenstein and princess Leia bopping to Nirvana (Rituals); members of Kiss nodding to Lou Reed (Cut Flowers); and even the Sugar Crisp Bear head-banging to Nine Inch Nails (Hellaluya).

The night gave me a chance to enjoy not just some good local outfits but "famous" bands that were both new to me. Notably, I quite liked not only local band Gay but their excellent cover of Orange Juice.

The bands: Misfits (Halloween), Orange Juice (Gay), Lou Reed (Cut Flowers), Nine Inch Nails (Hellaluya), The Cure (Mausoleum), Nirvana (Rituals), Bad Brains (S.H.I.T.), The Damned (Ell V Gore), The Monks (Young Mother/Blonde Elvis), The Germs (The Soupcans), Guns N Roses (Vag Halen), Marilyn Manson (Dentata/Tarantula X).