Bocce Bring High-Quality Rave

Steam Whistle Brewery

Toronto, ON

on May 30 2008

Evan Dickson (CHARTattack)

06/02/2008 3:00pm

There's a lot I want to say about Gravity Wave's foray into animation, Steam Whistle's security, and Hexes & Ohs, but all that has to wait. Enthusiasm must supersede chronology here, because I can't wait to blow my wad and tell you how sen-fucking-sational Bocce are.

There are a lot of bands these days compressing dance music into three-minute pop songs and Bocce are one of the best. It's interesting to note that Woodhands, who were originally scheduled to DJ, had to cancel because they were playing a show in Beijing, China. Meanwhile, Bocce, who can easily equal Woodhands' musicianship and stage presence, got the middle slot on the bill. It's time to start paying attention to the four-piece rave band from Waterloo, Ont. because they know how to bring the party.

The sensitive synth-pop of Montreal's Hexes & Ohs preceded Bocce's cowbell-fuelled throwdown. The boy/girl duo played a lot of wistful bedroom songs with nice harmonies. It was a quiet, underwhelming start to the evening. Listening to Hexes & Ohs was a mildly pleasant experience, like hugging an acquaintance. The highlight of their set was when Edmund Lam suddenly tore into a psychedelic guitar solo, looped it, and then sat down at the drum kit to pound the song home. It was an energetic peak in a set full of soft valleys.

By the time Gravity Wave came on for the last set, the beer had been flowing liberally for quite some time. This show was at a brewery, after all. Unfortunately, the rising blood alcohol level in the room may have encouraged some show-goers to voice their impatience with Gravity Wave's drawn-out theatrical opening. Picture a bald drunk in a leather jacket booing an animated character projected on a screen behind the stage. Ken Farrell argued with this doodle in a doomed attempt at audience engagement. It was an interesting idea that might have gone over well with a more generous crowd.

I've been lukewarm to Gravity Wave as a high-concept solo art project. Farrell's shows have always made creative use of theatrical elements like video, costumes and dancers. The attention he paid to presentation often made me wish he'd work a little harder on his simplistic pre-recorded computer music. To my delight, he was backed by a full live band including sax and trombone. The musicians brought Gravity Wave's songs to life and helped recover the performance after its shaky start.

Big kudos to Steam Whistle for their Unsigned concert series. This show was thoughtfully booked and well-organized. Judging by the suited security crew and the extravagant video and lighting systems on stage, it clearly had dough behind it, too. I could have done without the red velvet rope holding me back from the stage, though. Music is for ears, not cameras.