Part of my reason for going to see this show was the novelty of going to see a live band in Brampton. I mean it's Brampton. (Don't even get me started about Mississauga). However, I was impressed with the lineup of artists that they've got to play the small but respectable festival. The Rheostatics put on a fine performance at The Heritage Theatre in Brampton as part of the 2005 Brampton Indie Arts Festival. It was surprising to hear from them that, save for a Christmas party they went to put on by some Brampton friends, these Etobicoke(west-end Toronto) gents hadn't been to Brampton for some 20 years when they made an appearance at the old CFNY Brampton studio. I'm kind of ashamed to say that I've largely ignored the band. I've heard songs of their's here and there and thought they were pleasant and all, but they really never fit into whatever my current musical tastes were at different stages in my life. So maybe with the broadening of my musical horizons over the last 10 years, The Rheostatics somehow fit better now. The auditorium seating of The Heritage Theatre was a refreshing change from the usual live music venues and the sound was noticably warmer. If Blue Rodeo were akin to early Wilco, then maybe the Rheostatics are "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"/"A Ghost is Born"-era Wilco. The Rheostatics displayed a richly textured rock sound with folk/country overtones, slight avant-garde/jazz stylings, and punk rock aesthetics. If the grey hairs were evident, they still displayed a prowess that I was still very much in awe of. They didn't play "Claire" which I best know them for, but it was only a slight disappointment. I do have a cassette of their album "Introducing Happiness" which I should go back and listen to more carefully. [photos from the show]
In related news, The Rheostatics' Tim Vesely will be playing the Maple Lounge(above the Rivoli in Toronto) every Wednesday in February 2005. Shows start at 10 pm and last for an hour. According to The Rheostatics' site, Tim's first solo album, "The End of Part One", featuring backing band members from Wayne Omaha and the Violet Archers, is anticipated for a spring 2005 release.
Some Rheostatics related audio/video treats can be found at arts offstage; in particular check out the video from November 30, 2000 of The Rheostatics performing "Claire" with a grade 11 students choir. Beautiful.
Watch the video for "The Tarleks", the song of which is off The Rheostatics' most recent album "2067".
In other news, Apostle of Hustle will be playing The Drake Hotel in Toronto on February 17th and 18th. They'll be in Kingston on the 15th at the Grad Club and Ottawa on the 19th at Zaphods. Tickets $10.00 for all shows. [from arts&crafts]
Pony Up! will be at The Drake Hotel on February 9th with openers, fellow Montrealers The Social Register. [from eye]
For a high quality streaming version of Feist's "Inside and Out", check out muso's guide. (To view the video does require some pesky registration, but the video is definitely worth the time.)
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