Cupcakes by Paint at the Wrongbar, Toronto, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
- text by Shawn Conner/photos by Robyn Hanson
9:30 p.m. Paint at Velvet Underground. Another pleasant surprise (see North by Northeast Day III: the Rival Boys), this time on the way to the Wrongbar. Not only did this Toronto band (begun in Vancouver a couple years back by Catherine Wheel aficionado Robb Johannes) have cupcakes, baked by guitarist Mandy Dunbar, but Dunbar was smokin’ on the band’s shoegaze-y yet fiery rock tunes. She even shredded a flashy solo at the end.
Paint at the Wrongbar, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
Paint at the Wrongbar, Toronto, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
Paint at the Wrongbar, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
Paint at the Wrongbar, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
10:00 p.m. The Grates at the Wrongbar. I’ve been waiting to see this Australian band (now living in Brooklyn) again since seeing it play a small club show in Vancouver five years ago. Patience Hodgson is a frontwoman supreme and the band plays punky pop tunes and keeps up with her energetic, spunky presence. For fans of Los Campesinos! and those ready to graduate from Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head.
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11:oo p.m. Mannequin Men. By this time our attitude was pretty much “Fuck Toronto cabs”, so we hunkered down at this watering-hole for a big, staying for a set of enjoyably familiar-sounding garage/flannel rock from this Chicago quartet.
Mannequin Men at the Wrongbar, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
Mannequin Men at the Wrongbar, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
Mannequin Men at the Wrongbar, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
12:00 a.m. Surfer Blood. A couple of songs in, it was clear this Florida band lives up to its buzz. I’ll catch a full set next time – it was time to catch another G%*#@^n Toronto cab.
Surfer Blood at the Wrongbar, June 19 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
