Peter enjoys The Ripp and heymacs Show

Last Sunday the Toronto Transit Commission had yet another service interruption, complete with shuttle busses and detours. That didn’t deter me from going to The Black Swan at 154 Danforth Avenue in the late afternoon for yet another concert from yet another fine group of Toronto based musicians. The bill included Mark Ripp and the heymacs, who were making their first public appearance ever, apparently, although their excellent videos are a staple of my timeline.

Although the show was supposed to start at 3:30 P.M., it got off to a bit of a late start, but it went very well. Mark Ripp opened, doing a solo acoustic set. He is a veteran musician and has been in a number of groups. You would do well to check out his various You tube videos, including “Melania”, with the formidable Peter Verity, and “Shitty Little Cavalier”, recorded by Mark Ripp and the Confessors. He often plays acoustic sets around Toronto, keep an ear out for him. His set was mostly original music, but he did a beautiful job on “Wichita Lineman”. All too soon his set was over. His last song was “Misery” although afterwards I told him that he looked nothing like my ex wife 😉.  Anyway, he played an excellent set, and he’s yet another musician worth looking out for, as I mentioned earlier.

The heymacs closed out the show. This sextet, (sometimes septet), has a very interesting sound and I quite enjoy hearing them Again, a mix of originals and covers, and a well paced set, although the show was delayed briefly when some beer was spilled on the stage. I very much enjoyed the whole thing, and I hope that the hey-macs start performing in public a little more, as they are very talented. In any case, you can see their handiwork on You Tube, along with that of Mark Ripp.

Mark Ripp – Melania

the heymacs – Dancin’ Music

the heymacs – Satisfaction

It was great to see Roxanne and Bob and Marlene and Peter and so many other fine people. Unusually, I think that it was the first show I have gone to where I did not see Pat Blythe! She was missed, but I will see her again soon, I’m sure.

There was no cover, but there were collection boxes and donations were accepted for Covenant House, a resource for homeless and marginalized youth. Over $2,000.00 was raised! Thanks to the musicians who gave of their free time, as well as The Black Swan, Now Magazine, The Printing House, Middleton Group, St Jude’s Project, Jim, Vella, Kevin , Brian Robert Guy and everyone who came out and donated.

It was a wonderful afternoon, in support of a very worthy cause and I was extremely happy to attend. Events like this just underscore the amazing community spirit of the Greater Toronto Area indie music scene!

Speaking of the GTA indie music scene, I will cut this one short, as I am going to the “indie week” launch party tonight (Wednesday). I will be reporting back on that next week.

See you soon.

=PJM=

A confirmed Cat person, Peter dabbled with being a water boy, a paper boy and an altar boy before finally settling on a career with the Canadian federal government.  Once, in his youth, he ate a Dutch  oven full of mashed potatoes to win a 5 cent bet with his beloved sister Mary’s boyfriend. (Of course he was much younger and a nickel went a lot farther!) He has retired to palatial “Chez Montreuil”, which he shares with his diabetic little buddy Reg the Cat. He is blessed to have his dear Lois in his life. He is not only a plastic aircraft modeller, but a proud “rivet counter”. Military aviation and live music are among other interests of his, and he tries to get out to as many shows as he can. He will be here for your enlightenment whenever the stars align. Profile photo courtesy of Pat Blythe, caricature courtesy of Peter Mossman.