The James gang

The Architects had a bunch of local fans, and they seem to have carried over to Trevor James work under his own name with a backing band dubbed The Perfect Gentlemen. I described The Architects as playing "overly emotive melodic rock" when I saw them a few Bluesfests ago, and James is playing much the same now, with perhaps a bit more folk, which I think suits him better. They took to the stage in white shirts, black pants and suspenders. This is a band whose pants won't fall down.

James squints. It was sunny.



Drummer Brian Ahopelto has of course featured in many Acres posts.



Tyson Hiseler on bass.



Guitarist Hamish Robertson.



Rhythm section action!



Gentle action!







Clapping action!





And so on!





The band will be departing on a big tour Dec. 1, starting with a show at Zaphod Beeblebrox, followed by dates in Quebec, The Maritimes and Ontario before returning for a Boxing Day show at the Elmdale.

• Show reminder: The Fitzpatrick Incident, Norris, Smarth Mouth, Texa$, Declaration of Conformity and Feverbeard rock Mavericks; Elliott Brood, NQ Arbuckle and The Soiree play the Capital Music Hall; Zaphod's is rocked to its very foundation by The Fleshtones and Magnificent Butchers. Whaletooth, After The Weather and The Balconies perform at the Rainbow. Jill Zmud, Use Every Part of The Deer and Lynne Hanson get folky for Amnesty International at the Elmdale House Tavern.

This means War!

Just got back from Bluesfest where I saw the latest incarnation of War acquit themselves well. All the hits (The Cisco Kid, Slippin' into Darkness, Spill The Wine, Me And My Baby Brother, etc.) and an interesting insertion of Edwin Starr's War ("Huh! What is it good for? Absolutely nuthin!") into The World is a Ghetto. Yes, it's 1969 again. I think the sound is a little better with the stage facing east, since there is less brick and concrete for the sound to bang off of, but you definitely want to bring sunglasses and the widest-brimmed hat you own, since the sun is directly in your face until about 8 p.m. Ouch. It doesn't help that a few of city hall's flagpoles disrupt the view and a pathway cuts through the crowd, inviting dawdlers to stand in the way of people sitting down.
Also on the bill: Southside Steve Marriner (I heard the last few rambunctious minutes, it sounded good) and The Architects, who played some over-emotive, melodic modern rock.