Can-Rock

Amos The Transparent

For AudioBlood Media's 4th anniversary on Friday, 4 bands played at Sneaky Dee's. Coincidentally, they were from different parts of Canada, and were not just local Toronto bands. Acres of Lion was up first. These Victoria B.C. boys played straight up rock: not quite jock rock but not esoteric indie. The lead singer really tried to engage the early crowd. Combined with tra-la-la refrains, they are positioned to attract the extroverts.

Secret Connection came from St. John's Newfoundland. The on-the-road version of the band was a trio of excitable guys. Their indie-pop songs often descended into sonically noisy outro full of feedback and guitar chords. The biggest crowd of the night came to hear Ottawa's Amos The Transparent. Comprising of 7 members plus a guest trumpetist, they played pleasing pop full of cello lines, tinkling piano, and lots of anthemic choruses. Their exhortation for crowd participation was gladly met by bearded dudes in flannel shirts who sung along to every song. Their set ended on a bittersweet note when, prior to the final song, Mark Hyne revealed that it would probably the last time that Greater Than Consequence will be played live. He was leaving the band after 7 years.

Toronto's Hands and Teeth closed out the evening with catchy pop tunes full of multi-part harmonies and members exchanging lyrics. They debuted 5 new songs off their upcoming album before delving into older tunes. By this time, some in the audience were highly inebriated. Though most stood swaying in a dazed stupor before wandering off, one drunk male climbed up on the bass speakers to dance awkwardly. Finally, on Help Me, after Natasha Pasternak mimed a rifle shot with her guitar, lanky Jeffrey Pinto leapt from behind his keyboards and ran the obnoxious sot off the stage. But the good fellowship vibe was restored when members of the audience were invited on stage to sing along to a cover of With A Little Help From My Friends.