It was Friday night at the King’s Head. No cover, graciously, and Aaron Epp and I walked into the dark neighbourhood pub in the Exchange District. We ascended the back stairs, to the second bar, and purchased our drinks. Sleeman’s Amber Ale in my hand, Alexander Kieth’s in his, we found a seat behind Amanda, Carolyn and Nick Mullin.
The band was just getting up to begin, each memeber to his corresponding instrument. Rene on the left, with his shiny red Epiphone; Aaron (Klassen) sitting strongly at the drums; Chris next to him, taking up the bass, and Rob was on the right, readying the mic for the fist set.
They hit the first song with power and skill, and the energy filled the entire first set. With the crowd slowly growing, amidst the billiard players, and causal patrons coming to see what the deal was. The guys played a cover-filled first set, with a few of their originals put in. A great version of Emmylou Harris’ All my Tears was played. They soared rather effortlessly through one song to the next, playing like a well-oiled machine.
At their set break, the guys returned to the crowd to mingle and chat. Taking up the instruments a second time, the band had more originals put in, like The World in You. They covered a great Gloria and Money City Maniacs, too. By the time the guys began their last set, all the originals came out. People’s Cry and Sixty-Eight among my favourites. There were some great moments of improvisation during a few of the songs. Rene’s Epiphone just screamed to be played, and it was. A few running bridges and creative outros were sprinkled about the night, played in true abandonment.
The Attics played with heart, and may just have played theirs out. It was a tight show, full of skillful musicians doing what they love to do. With the full moon peaking in the clouds outside the second floor windows, it made for a great backdrop. The night was rich. Friends and music, it couldn’t have been better.
Now what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t put in a plug for the CD release. September 15th at the West End Cultural Centre, with The Morning After and Matt Epp playing. Tickets are $15 at Ticketmaster, do your best to be there!
picture by Kjell Jonas Johansson
Hmm. The Attics. Out of the Attics. From the Attic. I’m sorry, I promise to stop posting inside jokes on here. It’s rude.
I love emmylou harris. She has the coolest voice ever. Well, almost ever. She is at least on par with the Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan Burton (and in my books, that is saying alot).