Because my last post was getting seriously long, I decided to break Friday night into two posts, considering we saw the most bands that night.
And it’s fitting really, because we went from the Double Decker to the City Centre, so why not break it up, right?
My review of Hot Live Guys and the Sheepdogs after the jump.
The big draw to the City Centre that evening was Hot Live Guys. They’re a four-piece out of Winnipeg known for their … outrageous performances.
And by outrageous I don’t mean they wear crazy outfits, or have any kind of mascot or shtick, or eat bats, or pour blood, or anything like that.
No, these guys just put ALL of their energy into performing, especially the lead guitarist. He (and the whole band) are pretty well known in Brandon and Winnipeg for the kind of show they put on, and almost everyone I know was eager to get out and see them.
That’s a pretty accurate representation of how the guitarist (Joe) is at all times. And yes, that’s a pool table. He incorporates whatever is around him into his playing, jumping on tables, getting into the audience, rolling on couches. Anything.
And he knows what he’s doing throughout the entire thing. It might look as if it’s drunken flailing, but this guy is very controlled. In a crazy, frenetic kind of way.
It’s hard to believe he actually knows what he’s playing when he’s jumping all over the place.
Hot Live Guys play good ol’ rock and roll with a dash of punk thrown in for good measure. It’s high energy, and it’ll kick your ass.
Listen to some of their stuff here.
The last band of the evening was the Sheepdogs, from Saskatoon. They were the first band to play at Rock the Block, the WCMA kickoff event. I was told from a few different sources that they absolutely killed it, and the sources even considered them the best band of the night.
Their sound is classic rock, pure and simple. Listening to them (in the City Centre, no less) made me feel like I was transported to 1974. They list some of their influences as the Allman Brothers Band and Humble Pie, and it absolutely shows. Their harmonies blew me away.
The Sheepdogs manage to simultaneously sound retro and current. I love their guitar-driven sound, considering I grew up on classic rock.
I highly suggest checking out their music at their myspace.
Stay tuned for my post on Saturday’s performers! Hopefully it won’t take another week.
Amy Breen
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