Huron - Critic band pick for 2010

Now magazine and National Post music critic Tim Perlich was right on the money when, in his "bands to watch for in 2010" column he gives new band Huron the nod.

These guys have seemingly come out of nowhere to rock the planet. Where to start on influences heard in their music. Sometimes sounding like The Beatles in their white album faze - think Helter Skelter, mixed with the darkness and light of Wilco. They've got the boogie rock sound of the Allman Brothers Band, but also they have an almost Kraftwerk quality to their music - they do a song that sounds remarkably like that classic europop song Autobahn, but with guitars instead of synths.

So, in a nutshell these guys are a disciplined rock combo, that your Dad would like. A throwback to the '70's jam band sound, that includes some really wild improvisational forays.

This is especially true of their Wednesday night residency at the Dakota Tavern in Toronto. Each Wednesday night since November they have been rocking the house with a couple of sets. Then, indie rock legend Ian Blurton joins them on stage for a set of his music, and finally a sprawling jam session to cap off the night.

Bring your earplugs – put them firmly in place and be prepared to be shaken. They play loud, inventive original rock n roll. The best place to see them is at the Dakota Tavern – a small intimate club that is one of the best rooms for live music in Toronto, if not all of southern Ontario.

Check out these clips – I’m sure you’ll agree!

btw: we have invited Huron to join us for an unplugged radio performance on the CHCanada.com Indie Radio Show, heard on the last Wednesday of every month.

Go go http://www.chcanada.com for all of your indie band musical needs.

Hamilton Music Awards a big success

What are they putting in the water down there in The Hammer? So many great musicans, this City with the "Mountain" really know how to put on a party. A who's who of Canadian talent performed on the show, including husband and wife team Luke Doucet and Melissa Mclennan who now make Hamilton their home.

Up and comers were in attendence. I had the privlege of sharing a muddy jeep ride up the Mountain to the show with new Country artist Barry Mac and members of the Caretakers, who both have new CDs coming out very soon.

Big props go out to Jane Allison of the Hamilton Spectator and Jeff Martin of Quorum Communications for supplying tickets to the show.

Here is Tom Wilson and his band Lee Harvey Osmond perfoming as part of the awards celebrations...