The Harlots are formed from the non-glam half the Ballroom Zombies (see Nxne97 10pm Friday @ 360)
(other members have ended up in Robin Black, and we will meet them tomorrow)

They are a vocally strong, power pop 4 piece with 2 guitars, bass and drums.
The lead singer is very blonde, and had a great voice.
There was lots of energy on stage, and everyone got to sing.

The one guitar player had a lovely old Gibson Les Paul jr.

I found them reminiscent of the Replacements.

Steve's comment - "Please someone give these people a record contract"
Only downside is a lack of image, and a bass player that needs to lose a few pounds.

Gordie and Shawn Farrell, really are brothers, and really are from Manitoba. They are also an acoustic rockabilly duo, with matching Gretch acoustic guitars (with triangular key hole) and piled up hair.
Steve was sceptical of their heritage, but I think they are authentic Manitoba farmers.

They are probably the best amateur act in their area, but to go pro, they have a few issues.
They are very tight and co-ordinated at times, and did a great train imitation on one song with 2 guitars.
They are proficient, but are often sloppy. They played a collection of old classics, and either originals or very obscure covers. The one brother played a mandolin, but it was not clear why.

If they can stick to their roots and play solid songs, they have an act.

When they came on stage, I said, My god these guys look fucking dangerous.
They were !

1. Chinese guitarist, with glam-style big guitar. He sang many of the songs with his strong accent. Particularly reminiscent was the cover of  "Life's a Bitch". Songs he didn't sing, he provided great backing screams for.
2. Blonde guitarist & singer, from the suburbs. Stood on the drum kit alot.
3. Bearded tall skinny bass player
4. Tattooed drummer.

While some bands have been lacking in personality, these guys had  enough personality for 3 bands !

They play a happy speed metal, mixed with traditional thrash hardcore.
They blew us all away (in more ways than one). Powerful, Fun, Cheesy, Fast
There were some sound problems which detracted somewhat and they also played late (NXNE not cracking the whip). Well worth seeing again.

New CD in September. I think the name is better singular - Tirekicker !
Web page is pretty empty right now.

Steve said the best all round band he has seen so far.
Yet there is something missing from the sum of the parts. Perhaps it is just because we are tired.

They played a full 50 Minute set. The 360 was quite full at the start, but the audience had petered out somewhat towards the end.

Free CD single of Karen from the Album Popcan was handed out at the door. Not a bad example of their work.
Moe sighting, I also saw him leaving Betty Goo.

Red Suits, shoes, and in the case of the bass player red hair, except that it all looked orange under the lights.
The bass player had a huge triangular bass. It was shaped like a bazooki and has only 3 strings.
The singer was a huge burly Russian, that did a good Elvis impersonation singing "Blue Moon", and played a Gretch hollow body guitar.
The other guitar player, was a very skilled player.
The drummer is the only American in the band.

All three frontmen sang, and tossed about clichés. "Canadian Rocks!", they toasted, holding up their beer glass, and  "Of all our audiences..., you are the most recent" etc.
They had high camp value, but were also able to back it up with some great playing.
Most of the songs were a well blended mix of old rockabilly, surf classics and Russian folk music.
They made it all look so easy.
Some notable songs were (click for RealAudio version!) Rocket Man, Harriette, Good Golly Miss Molly, Love Pipe, Surfing in Siberia

Great start to the final night of NXNE 98.
Their Web site has Real Audio versions of all of their songs, from 3 albums.

One of the Zombie's weaknesses was that they were only partly glam (see review 1997)

Way over the top, and two thumbs up.  (Steve wanted to give them 6 Hotdogs and 2 smiley faces !)

Robyn was way more enjoyable and a fair bit less annoying than when we saw them last year.
They heavily suggested that the audience submit ballots for favourite unsigned band, which is quite in keeping with his normal on stage behaviour.

They definitely a worked hard at promotion, and it paid off (handing out flyers at the gigs)
I saw very little pre show flyering or postering by other bands. Interesting, considering it obviously helped draw a larger crowd.

Howard Stern impersonator or the real thing ? Strange either way.

Props used:

• bubble machine
• flaming things
• red flashing lights
• smoke
• strobe light
• confetti pump
• assless leather pants

So we accidentally returned to the 360, as we have done most previous years.
Wow were we glad.
Great happy pop songs, obviously Beatles inspired, though the one guitarist is apparently a big Replacements fan.

A Four piece, their racial diversity is part of their band personality:

• Front - Japanese Bass Player
• East Indian Guitar Player
• other guitar player had big hollow body guitar
• Drummer (stuck in the back as usual)

They just rocked with great happy riff filled rock songs and nice sweet backing vocals.
Lots of ooh laa laa songs. Lots of major chords, and a clean trebly guitar sound. Wonderful.

They played a "Cars" cover - "Just what I needed"

- Who is Evelyn ?
Not actually an Evelyn - A piece of Graffiti they had seen
We booed, the guitar player looked shocked, and said, wait it was an ex girl friend.

- They said they had their CD for $10 Canadian.
I yelled out that that was 4bucks US. Again they looked shocked,
and the bass player responded. We aren't too good with exchange rates that's why we picked up these instruments.
- CD is even better than what the band was able to deliver live !

- how do you guys stay so happy for all those songs ?
Lots of Marijuana.

- Did they all go to school together
Yes, but now they were tour, school was over.

- They also were very appreciative of the feamale population of Toronto (at least what they had seen on Queen street.

I Bought their nightclub jitters CD
They had been giving out stickers and little Bio cards.
The website was offline last time I checked.

We were ready to dub our next band, the ugly as sin boys. Made us believe in Glam Country.
The old cowboy hat, the silk shirt, the mechanics shirt with Elvis embroidered on it.

A 4 piece.
Great guitar player, had obviously made the predominant wear marks in his fender guitar himself.
Big goofy guy in a hat was the singer, and played guitar and again with the mandolin.
Bass player was greasy.
Drummer had a rockabilly haircut.

They played a little too much country hillbilly music, but were fun none the less.