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Oh, to be a ‘rock star’ in Canada.

For Hamilton’s Arkells and Winnipeg’s The Waking Eyes, it wouldn’t be enough to travel far and wide in the dead of winter; anyone can handle that, right?

Then how about their shared misfortune Friday night in Toronto - the Eyes’ luxury tour bus (read: van and trailer) was towed before their set, and if not for the staff standing on guard for thee Horseshoe Tavern, the Arkells’ guitar collection would likely have kept on “running down Queen Street.”

To the forces working against this double bill - where’s the true patriot love?

But such calamities are nothing new for The Waking Eyes, who performed songs exclusively from their third album, Holding Onto Whatever It Is. On Get Me to the Doctor, singer Rusty Matyas told the tale of the band’s Winnebago bursting into flames on the highway: “It lit up easy like the candles on a cake…no one should have been driving.” The group was at its best on new single Keeps Me Coming Back, and have clearly focused their efforts on the new material.

Arkells, supporting their full-length debut Jackson Square, worked the warmed-up crowd into a sweaty delight. Among the highlights were John Lennon, with its falsetto lyric, “I’m so lost, and I live just around the corner,” as well as the working-class anthem Deadlines. They were joined on the latter song by Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart, who pounded out the intro in perfect synch with Arkells’ Tim Oxford.

The Arkells’ appeal undoubtedly stems from their no-frills approach to rock and roll; it’s easy to identify with their common man style. There’s simply nothing flashy about this band - and that’s no insult - if you’re looking for pomp and posturing, look elsewhere.

A gang vocal encore of the Beatles‘ Don’t Let Me Down ensured the sold-out crowd went home with glowing hearts.

Setlist: The Waking Eyes @ The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto on February 6
Holding Onto Whatever it Is
Get Me to the Doctor
Run Through the Fire
Clap Clap
Digital Glue
Trouble on the Patio
Keeps Me Coming Back
Masters of Deception
Wolves at the Door
All Empires Fall

Setlist: Arkells @ The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto on February 6
Pullin’ Punches
John Lennon
Heart of the City
The Choir
Tragic Flaw
No Champagne Socialist
Deadlines
Untitled New Song
Abigail
Blueprint
Oh, the Boss is Coming!

Encore:
Ballad Of Hugo Chavez
Don’t Let Me Down

Posted on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at 10:58 am by Dan Carruthers and is filed under Concerts & Events.

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