The Dears Hit Ontario

Ottawa tonight, Toronto Saturday. Now let's let the superlatives fly...

Montreal's The Dears will be making a mini-trek through Ontario this weekend and it's likely going to be the last time you can see this aces act for some time so you'd be well advised to get off your ass and check 'em out. Two of their members are leaving to go to New York for a couple months to do career-type stuff so the band will be in slowdown mode over the winter.

If you haven't heard anyone from the respective Toronto or Montreal rock crit posses go over-the-top for these guys yet, I'll help you out: The Dears are the best indie band in Canada. So good, in fact, that they've trumped the holy trio of Tricky Woo, Danko Jones and The Flashing Lights for best live act.

Here's the deal: Remember all those real epic Blur songs like "This Is A Low"? O.K., now imagine that string-laden melodramatic background while upfront, lead singer Murray Lightburn thrashes around onstage like he's the one who deserves to get the daffodils thrown at him, not an aging Mozzer. Frankly, if this was England The Dears would have already been on the cover of NME three times and we'd be peeing ourselves every time we saw anyone from the band walking around in public. But this is Canada, so all I can do is urge you to check them out.

You can go to that Blow Up anniversary party after they get off the stage.
Dec. 1 Ottawa, ON@ Zaphod I w/guests
Dec. 2 Toronto, ON@ The Horseshoe Tavern w/ King Cobb Steelie and Music For Mapmakers