Toronto/Montreal roll call

[tbw]

I am slightly disheartened by last night's show and wrote what I wrote accordingly. I do not put too much on my personal opinion, however I am a music reviewer and I gotta call it the way I see it. In fairness, I liked a number of Evil Urges tunes last night, but none compared to their older stuff, save "Librarian", "Evil Urges", "I'm Amazed" and a couple more - and few bands out there can unleash new material and expect them to upstage the older stuff. I walked and looked around constantly and it was obvious that the crowd really got a charge out of older tunes. I was at the Berkeley Church show a few months ago in Toronto and thought that it was a better show than the one last night, and most of this is attributed to pacing; and the Evil Urges tunes were better received.

If you do not mind me asking, who do you review music for? I must say I am disappointed as I really wanted to hear an awesome review...Was it an intimate setting? How many does the venue hold? How did SteamEngine sound. I am hoping to hear that song live, in concert. If I don't get tickets to Friday I have to wait until end of August. :'(

Did you see EC at the show? Do you know her? Just curious....as I know from the postings that she was here for a long time and had planned to go to the Toronto show...

[petemoss]

I am slightly disheartened by last night's show and wrote what I wrote accordingly. I do not put too much on my personal opinion, however I am a music reviewer and I gotta call it the way I see it. In fairness, I liked a number of Evil Urges tunes last night, but none compared to their older stuff, save "Librarian", "Evil Urges", "I'm Amazed" and a couple more - and few bands out there can unleash new material and expect them to upstage the older stuff. I walked and looked around constantly and it was obvious that the crowd really got a charge out of older tunes. I was at the Berkeley Church show a few months ago in Toronto and thought that it was a better show than the one last night, and most of this is attributed to pacing; and the Evil Urges tunes were better received.

If you do not mind me asking, who do you review music for? I must say I am disappointed as I really wanted to hear an awesome review...Was it an intimate setting? How many does the venue hold? How did SteamEngine sound. I am hoping to hear that song live, in concert. If I don't get tickets to Friday I have to wait until end of August. :'(

Did you see EC at the show? Do you know her? Just curious....as I know from the postings that she was here for a long time and had planned to go to the Toronto show...

It was an awesome show, on a monday night, at a horrible venue. I guess if someone doesn't like Evil Urges, I can see why they would be disappointed. But I have seen mmj about 6 or 7 times, and I think last night's show was incredible.

[ItStillJaimoe]

I did see EC at the show. We chatted briefly. She's doing well, looks fabulous and is very busy with her music.

I've been a writer for Jambands.ca for 5 years and I recently got hired for the online music magazine SoundProof. They want my review of last night's show by the end of the day, but I've only had four hours sleep and I'm at my regular job today (I work for a music TV channel).

The Kool Haus is a general admission concert hall that holds 2000 comfortably. It's my least favourite concert venue in Toronto and I've seen tons of shows there. It's a cavernous place and the acoustics are usually suspect and not surprisingly, the sound wasn't very good for most of the night. Jim's voice sounded pretty good though. I'm going to give the show a positive review, but it wasn't as good as past shows.  

[petemoss]

The Kool Haus is a general admission concert hall that holds 2000 comfortably. It's my least favourite concert venue in Toronto and I've seen tons of shows there. It's a cavernous place and the acoustics are usually suspect and not surprisingly, the sound wasn't very good for most of the night.   

You got that right. I hate the kool haus. Toronto has some pretty bad venues. I remember the time I saw Belle and Sebastian at the docks, and the Pixies at Arrow Hall. Seeing such good bands at such horrible venues can be really frustrating...

[Nectar502001]

You people will be begging for EU stuff in a few years once it's "old" stuff.

Enjoy it now!

[ItStillJaimoe]

The Kool Haus is a general admission concert hall that holds 2000 comfortably. It's my least favourite concert venue in Toronto and I've seen tons of shows there. It's a cavernous place and the acoustics are usually suspect and not surprisingly, the sound wasn't very good for most of the night.   

You got that right. I hate the kool haus. Toronto has some pretty bad venues. I remember the time I saw Belle and Sebastian at the docks, and the Pixies at Arrow Hall. Seeing such good bands at such horrible venues can be really frustrating...

I stand corrected: Arrow Hall is by far the worst venue in the city followed by The Docks. I was at that Pixies show and hated hated hated that souless venue; Kool Haus feels like Massey Hall by comparison.

[petemoss]

The Kool Haus is a general admission concert hall that holds 2000 comfortably. It's my least favourite concert venue in Toronto and I've seen tons of shows there. It's a cavernous place and the acoustics are usually suspect and not surprisingly, the sound wasn't very good for most of the night.   

You got that right. I hate the kool haus. Toronto has some pretty bad venues. I remember the time I saw Belle and Sebastian at the docks, and the Pixies at Arrow Hall. Seeing such good bands at such horrible venues can be really frustrating...

I stand corrected: Arrow Hall is by far the worst venue in the city followed by The Docks. I was at that Pixies show and hated hated hated that souless venue; Kool Haus feels like Massey Hall by comparison.

LOL. so true. I waited my whole life to see the pixies. and I saw them at arrow hall. the irony.

[tbw]

I stand corrected: Arrow Hall is by far the worst venue in the city followed by The Docks. I was at that Pixies show and hated hated hated that souless venue; Kool Haus feels like Massey Hall by comparison.

[ItStillJaimoe]

2008-06-16 Kool Haus - Toronto, ON

1. Evil Urges
2. I'm Amazed
3. Off The Record
4. What A Wonderful Man
5. Gideon
6. Highly Suspicious
7. Thank You Too!
8. Lowdown
9. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.1
10. Librarian
11. Sec Walkin
12. Golden
13. Two Halves
14. The Way That He Sings
15. Lay Low
16. Aluminum Park
17. Remnants
18. Smokin From Shootin
19. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2
----------
20. Wordless Chorus
21. Steam Engine
22. One Big Holiday
23. Run Thru
24. Anytime

[johnboy9]

Fantastic show last night!
Yes, it was heavy on the new record and there were only 2 pre-ISM...but this band is so good it doesn't matter what they play, they blow the roof off.
Some funny things were: they had some technical difficulites, Jim's V didn't work for Amazed, and there was some problems with the drums and Jim said "We just played in Bonnaroo and it poured rain the whole time...when you mix water with electronics things get fucked up." Then said they would work through it for us! It was pretty funny. He also said it's nice to know the weekend isn't over just because it's Monday! haha.
The encore was mindblowing as well. Steam Engine was great. I love watching Patrick during his solo. OBH was amazing and I thought it was going to be the end. Then RUN THRU! It is so loud and heavy and amazing live. I giggled the whole way through. Anytime followed and was also amazing.
The new stuff sounds great. The more familiar stuff definitely got the crowd going a lot more, but I think for the most part everyone seemed to enjoy the new stuff too.
Both Touch Mes are amazing live. Especially Pt 2. For sure a major highlight of the show. He played the Omnichord with his face at one point while playing the guitar!
Jim looked like he was having a blast during The Way That He Sings. And the whole band rocked incredibly hard during the entire encore. Carl was jumping around doing windmills. Amazing!

We're lucky to love this band. No matter the set list they deliver every single time. I will not complain that they don't play too many songs off of the first two records because what they do play is so amazing.

Enjoy the rest of the tour!

[bold99]

sounds awesome.

anyone that doesn't expect a heavy Evil Urges set is crazy..this is the Evil Urges tour!

[theconcertaholic]

Especially Pt 2. For sure a major highlight of the show. He played the Omnichord with his face at one point while playing the guitar! -

I have this video along with 2or 3 others, 2 Audio Files, a photo of the setlist, lots of other photos and a full review of my first experience with these guys.

I was Blown away standing 12 feet from JJ.

It will take 24hrs to get it all uploaded to share. This will be the first place I post it all!

If I didn't have a family at home I would drive to Montreal today by myself no questions asked!

I have a lot of questions to get up to speed on this band but that will come after I assemble my show archive and get it all live.

Jeff

[cmccubbin25]

thanks Jeff!

we will try to answer any questions you have!

[theconcertaholic]

Just went thru my photos and after looking at the setlist photo "At Dawn" was on the setlist before "Wordless" in the encore set.

Also instead of "I'm Amazed" they have the words "I'm Amused"  8-)

Jeff

[lay low girl]

The show was so amazing. I'm still reeling...

For those of you disappointed about the EU-heavy set list, you're crazy! I thought so many of the songs sounded great, esp. Aluminum Park and Remnants.

I really disliked Highly Suspicious upon first listen but now LOVE it, and I had a feeling it was going to be amazing live, which it was.

Touch Me Pt 2 was like some sort of rockin' disco wonderland.

The encore was INSANE - people really started to let loose and dance. The band was obviously having a great time and it was contagious. I thought I was going to cry when I heard the opening notes of Run Thru.

Random observation: I noticed that the crowd was very MALE - long lines for the men's room, short one for the ladies - for once! :-)

More girls need to come out to th shows and dance it up!!!

[youngvedder]

well its about 16 hours since the show ended and my ears are still ringing like crazy. We were able to get right in front of JJ and had the railing to keep us up. What an amazing show. This is my fourth time, and this, for me, was fantastic; technical issues and all.

I was able to record, but havent had the opportunity to listen/edit it yet, but will put it up asap. Ill throw up some pics and the link later.

Cheers,

Yv

[petemoss]

Yeah it was an amazing show for sure. Don't listen to the few jaded people who don't like the new stuff, the show was electric.

[sloburnjo]

first time caller here!
thanks for the set list
we are blessed, TO and MTL pre eurofest gigs
the only downer at le national = your knees/posture take a beating if it's
general admission the floor is inclined...
i just went down to le national(montreal) to procure tix
mr james was cordially signing autograph between bus and rear entrance
wished him and his the best...
:P
anyone interested in sharing gas/trip to new year's eve bash @ MSG?

[red]

How were The Besnard Lakes?

I saw them last year and it was a great show, aside from the fact that the show was at one of the worst venues (yet best bars) in SK.

[ItStillJaimoe]

How were The Besnard Lakes?

I saw them last year and it was a great show, aside from the fact that the show was at one of the worst venues (yet best bars) in SK.

I thought they were pretty good. They certainly got better as their set wore on. The crowd was pretty receptive towards them too when they decided to pay attention: the cure of the opening band.