At the bar, the first thing the band (who have not yet hit the stage) asked me was the score of the game. I guess they would have understood had I missed their first song or two in the name of overtime. The call came in to me not moments later that Edmonton had won. I relayed the good news loud enough for everyone in the bar to hear and we all cheered. It set the perfect tone to enjoy an evening with one of the best Canadian indie bands around.
Elliott Brood is a 'they', not a 'him'....there is a Casey Laforet, a Mark Sasso and a Stephen Pitkin but no Elliott Brood. As Mark explained in a 2005 interview with EYE, the name comes from the movie The Natural..."Well, sort of. There's a dark character I thought was named Harriet Brood. I imagined that if she had a brother, his name would be Elliott Brood, and that it was a good name for a band. Except her name was actually Harriet Bird."
The bands 2005 first full length release Ambassador was nominated for the Roots and Traditional Album of the Year award at the 2006 Junos, losing to Corb Lund's Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer. ( It is interesting to note that Corb Lund's tall, handsome mug has also graced the tiny stage at the Downbeat Lounge...and Corb Lund is a 'him', not a 'they'...)
Elliott Brood's music can be described as alt-country acoustic folk-rock. They call it death country, which is fitting since Ambassador was recorded in an old slaughter house, now Monumental Sound near Kelle and St. Claire in Toronto. I just call their music great.
The bands Wednesday June 14th show was their second highly anticipated appearance at the Downbeat Lounge. There was a banjo-playing man in black, a drummer who used a suitcase as a kick drum and a guitar player who also played bass with his foot as he danced better sitting down than most people do standing up. After the show, I described them to a friend as the new Neil Young...breaking ground and expanding the spectrum of Canadian roots music.
Their intense gritty songs energized the packed house, creating one of my most memorable band experiences. Although disappointed I missed Edmonton's spectacular win, I am elated I was fortunate enough to have experienced this truly inspired Canadian band for a second time. Had you been there, you would understand.
...casey laforet...
...stephen pitkin...
...mark sasso...
2 comments:
Ha! Reminds me of that scene in "Flight of the Navigator" where it's explained that twisted sister is a he and not a she - well, actually it's a them. Ouch... I suddenly feel old.
your photoblog hasn't been updated in a gazzilion years... what up?... and i know you'll say go to your my space account, but that's just pictures of bands.... what the heck happened to good ol fashioned friends and family... you don't love us anymore!!! sniff...just cause i'm not famous... sniff... i am in my mind...so there!
patti
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