Friday, February 22, 2013

Above the rest

"Is today Thursday? It feels like a Monday ... and then you get someone pregnant and everything changes," said Jose Miguel Contreras at last night's By Divine Right gig. Although the Toronto indie rock outfit has been around for ages (and employed a who's who of Toronto rock scenesters in the process, up to and including Brendan Canning and Leslie Feist), this was my first chance to see them play.

The Superlative opened thins up, and it was kind of a first-timer for me as well. Not because I've never seen them before - they also opened a show with Monic and Black Dog at Mavericks in March 2011 - but this time vocalist Charles Lapointe was on hand, so it wasn't "instrumental only."

The Superlative at Zaphod's
The Superlative at Zaphod's, February 21, 2013

These guys like their Godins.

The Superlative at Zaphod's
The Superlative at Zaphod's, February 21, 2013

On to By Divine Right, who played a loose-limbed show full of witty (and occasionally nonsensical) banter, as well as loads of feedback. At the moment Conreras is backed by Alysha Haugen (of Sheezer fame) and former A Mark Inside drummer Geordie Hynes.

By Divine Right at Zaphod's 
By Divine Right at Zaphod's, February 21, 2013

Last time I saw her, Alysha was sporting a green wig and a Sailor Moon outfit.

By Divine Right at Zaphod's
By Divine Right at Zaphod's, February 21, 2013

Both bands have records on the way: The Superlative plan to reveal Chester in March, while BDR's Organized Accidents should be out in May.

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