New Buds

With a wet and cold spring, Friday was the first day of bright sunshine and warm weather. Toronto residents were out full-force with side-walks and restaurants brimming with people. As for myself, I enjoyed the first ice-cream this year at Bakerbots in the afternoon. Later on, when I was walking through Little Italy, a young couple on Grace St. was excitedly talking to their neighbour. They seem thrilled to have just found a place here in this established, downtown neighbourhood. Yet they were a bit daunted too as no doubt they dropped a pretty penny on a modest semi that still require a lot of renovation.

After a simple pizza dinner at Amato, I finally made my way to The Baby G. The even younger crowd here was years from home ownership, if they could ever afford it. The aesthetic was different from the aughts. Some lads still have the hipster scruff, but a number have gone full hobo with long hair and beard. The lassies sported either pixie cuts or DIY mullets and bangs, and wore outfits with more Value Village chic than Kensington Market vintage vibe.

The first band was the aptly named Baby Band since their members looked barely old enough to get pass security. They played a loosey-goosey slacker indie set. With the bass player doing some lead vocal duties, they'll need to energize the rhythm section to pick up the slack. And a lead guitarist shouldn't have to rely on a capo. But they had some promising songs.

Next up was EDDY EVVY from Kitchener. Their set was full of sludgy chords and feedback. Not quite shoe-gaze but the same zoned-out jam feel. A little too muddy for me. There were two other bands on the bill, but it's been a long day.