Birds Of Wales, These Three Cities, The Last True Gentlemen

31-May-2008 03:08 PM

Contributed by: pete

Tattoo Rock Parlour in Toronto, Ontario
Photos and Review by: Pete Nema

Birds Of Wales
These Three Cities
The Last True Gentlemen

May 28, 2008
Full Photo Set (18 photos)

I accidentally caught a short set by Birds Of Wales at the Supermarket just a week before this full show at Tattoo Rock Parlour, a show that I had already planned on being at for both for Birds Of Wales and the The Last True Gentlemen. These two bands were scheduled for the end and beginning of the night, respectively, and with a set by These Three Cities in between.

Birds Of Wales

Although Morgan Ross (vocals, guitar) apparently told me that the Birds Of Wales were going to playing with a new rhythm section, I completely forgot so I was a bit surprised to see a few different players on stage with him and Mike Caputo (guitar). Ever since meeting Morgan during the summer last year, I've been out to see this band perform their collection of indie folk-rock a few times, with probably their best set so far being the last time I saw them at Tattoo Rock Parlour. Everything I said in that review still holds true, including my assertion that "combining a talented band with a hot male lead singer translates into an audience with a much higher than normal female attendance percentage, all with their own hotness factor that is impossible to ignore." Hmm. Anyway, I don't think I've previously highlighted how much of a talent Mike Caputo is before... he's got a great collection of guitars, and uses them well.

Info: Birds Of Wales | Connect: MySpace, Facebook

These Three Cities

Placed in the schedule between two bands I was familiar with was These Three Cities, a band I hadn't heard of before, which meant I had no idea what to expect. The music sounds influenced by some of the same music that drives illScarlett, including Sublime, so there's something in there that reminds me of illScarlett, but they have a different kind of energy. Jeff Beadle (vocals) is a competent front-man drawing attention through his great vocals and expressive body language. The highlight was a song that had a sing-along chorus that goes Help me I've got nothing left around here. It's one of those great tunes that builds up and ends with an excellent musical release.

Info: These Three Cities | Connect: MySpace, Facebook

The Last True Gentlemen

I've been keeping a watch on Andrew Clark (vocals, guitar, piano) and his band The Last True Gentlemen. Over the past couple of years there have been a few different bass players, and now drummer has switched over as well. The foundation of this band is Clark's songwriting, which is influenced by some of the greats from the 70's. The last time I saw The Last True Gentlemen was at The Horseshoe, shortly after a cross-Canada tour, and the drummer (at the time) finished the show in a big way – check the review for details – which was difficult for Andrew and his new crew to live up to this time around. But they pulled off a decent set with many of the songs I like hearing every time, such as the classic rock sound of Summer, the prog-rock epic Killing Floor, and the closer with a solo Haven't You Heard.