Ten Second Epic Energetic In Toronto

For a band nearing the end of a month-and-a-half long tour, Edmonton's Ten Second Epic haven't lost their trademark onstage energy. Toronto's Mod Club was host to the second last show of their Welcome To Your Hometown Tour, a cross-country tour in support of their latest release, Hometown.

The large audience, made up of teenage fans and old friends of the band, were rewarded with an enthusiastic set for braving the evening's monsoon-like rain. TSE were preceded by a musical intro — Lil Wayne's "A Milli" — before they excitedly rushed onto the stage. Andrew Usenik's usually strong vocals began a little shakily, but were back to normal midway through the opening song "Welcome To Wherever You Are."

Guitarist Dan Carriere, bassist Sandy MacKinnon, drummer Patrick Birtles and guitarist Craig Spelliscy provided a solid wall of shiny pop-punk melodies for the crowd to pogo to. Usenik stationed himself at the edge of the stage for the majority of the set, and repeatedly leaned over to touch the hands of audience members. The charismatic vocalist had enough dexterity to throw his mic from hand to hand, but we could have done with a little less turning his back to the audience.

TSE wasted no time between songs, and even multitasked — while MacKinnon played a solo, Spelliscy fed him beer as Usenik charmed the cameras and cell phones in the front row.

The band made a point of showing their appreciation for all their supporters. Carriere and Usenik paired up to play "Windows," an acoustic slow song that they dedicated to their tourmates The New Cities and The Februarys. The band played "Life Times" next, the song whose accompanying video is up for the MuchMusic Video Awards' rock video of the year. Usenik's announcement that "We're gonna beat the shit out of Nickelback!" was met by cheers.

The audience couldn't get enough of the band and called for "one more song!" at the end of their set. The five-piece came back onstage for a cover of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town." Carriere and Spelliscy took to the front of the stage for twin guitar solos as the elated crowd continued to jump and scream. These Edmonton boys were, indeed, back in town — and it was good to have them here.