Either I’m going deaf or The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern learned that volume knobs have settings other than 11. Arguably once the loudest club in the city, The Horseshoe is showing its age (it turned 60 last year) by turning the volume down to match every other club in Toronto. This wasn’t enough to stop Suckerfactory, Luke Sneyd and Downsview from rocking a small Family Day crowd.
Singer/Songwriter Luke Sneyd tried out a new live band for the Horseshoe show. For the most part, Luke’s new band gelled nicely and seemed very comfortable with their new bandmates. Luke’s rock/powerpop "songs about love and songs not about love," as he described them, had a few fans upfront and centre bopping away and having a great time.
Headliners Suckerfactory seemed to be newcomers to the scene, but had to be one of the tightest bands I have seen in a while. The straight-ahead rock four piece must have jammed for quite a while before taking the band live. Even though they are such a tight band, they lacked a lot of the energy and raw passion that the other two bands had, but I imagine it’s something they will get after a few more shows.
These are the kind of shows bands cut their teeth on. The kind of gigs that artists like to forget, but in the end shape their character, integrity and test their love for music. Hopefully next time any of us sees these bands, they’ll be headlining and the place will be packed.