Monday September 26th - Sunday October 2nd
Each week we pick out and preview some of the live events going on in and around Toronto...

- Jennn's picks -

Silverstein/Protest the Hero
U of T, Tuesday September 27th
Need more screaming, melodic guitars and scene kids in your diet? Even if you rarely watch TV, you've most likely caught Silverstein's new music video for "Smile In Your Sleep". The guys will be touring Europe next month with Hawthorne Heights and Bayside to promote the release of their latest album Discovering the Waterfront.

If you'd like to catch them before they head out, your last chance is this Tuesday at Blind Duck Pub (on U of T campus, Mississauga) where they'll be rocking with Protest The Hero! Check here for more about these bands.

The Salads
Humber College, Tuesday September 27th
If you're in the mood for something more punky, The Salads are playing a free show at Humber College. Their fast ska rhythms and catchy singalong songs are sure to foster a feel-good vibe that never disappoints. Not a student? You might consider getting a fake ID for this one!

The Reason
The Opera House, Thursday September 29th
Slam dancers can continue the party rocking out with The Reason at The Opera House, one of our favorite local venues. The Reason from Hamilton aren't just hopping on the trend wagon; they carry an onstage chemistry that shouts out professionalism and crank out infectious, versatile harmonies.

Futures Past/Rumsfield
The Fun Haus, Saturday October 1st
If you've been keeping up with BlogTO music news, you probably recall Futures Past. They've been busy these days putting the finishing touches on their much anticipated debut album that's speculated to turn industry heads. This Saturday they'll be playing a CD release party with my other favorite heavyweights Rumsfield at The Fun Haus. You might want to bring $10, some extra cash to purchase a CD and some ear plugs because it's going to be loud and riveting!

Mavis Drive
Leo the Lion, Saturday October 1st
Mavis Drive will be playing a show in Vaughan at the mysterious Leo the Lion. I've never been there but I've seen Mavis Drive play a solid set of meaningful songs inspired by 90's rock like Alice In Chains, Metallica and Tool.
JENNN

- Neil's picks -

Octoberman
Gladstone Hotel, Monday September 26th
Vancouver's Marc Morrissette brings his alt rock solo project to Toronto having taken some time out from his band, Kids These Days. The tour sees Marc perform the heartfelt songs from his acclaimed debut record These Trails are Old and New, an album which he wrote whilst travelling through Europe with a misshaped guitar and his girlfriend for company.
http://www.whitewhale.ca/

Ambient Ping feat. Songspell
Hacienda, Tuesday September 27th
The Ambient Ping is a weekly night which gives exposure to weird and wonderful local acts. Described on their website as "...early Pink Floyd at an acid test", this latest instalment from Songspell sounds as odd and intriguing as ever. Pay what you can at the door.

Over the Top Festival launch party feat. Prefuse 73, Ris Paul Ric & Ultra Magnus

Mod Club, Wednesday September 28th
I'm not entirely sure why a music festival needs a launch party - especially when the festival doesn't take place for another 7 months!! But if they manage to line up acts as good as these then I'm not about to start complaining.
Glitch hip hop from Warp Records maestro Prefuse 73 (above) is the headline act of an excellent evening's entertainment. Support comes from Toronto afrobeat group Ultra Magnus plus the first ever Canadian show from Ris Paul Ric (former Q and Not U frontman Chris Richards). Justin Peroff of The Broken Social Scene also lends his hand to a spot of djing on the night.
http://www.overthetopfest.com/

Metric
Phoenix Concert Theatre, Thursday September 29th
Energetic pop-punk four piece Metric - part of the loose art indie collective Broken Social Scene - play to what's sure to be a packed out crowd at The Phoenix.

Deceptive Moves feat Bill Gilliam & Colleen Ostoforoff
The Music Gallery, Friday September 30th
This latest project from avant garde composer Bill Gilliam sees him team up with Colleen to explore the theme of deception through music. Both composers use unusual instrumentation and combine elements of free jazz, contemporary classical and electronic music into their experimental compositions. Admittedly this may all sound a tad pretentious but so long as it doesn't take itself too seriously it should be pretty good as well.
http://www.musicgallery.org/
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bgilliam/

Mike Huckaby
Footwork, Saturday October 1st
Toronto's underground techno collective Kick Magazine brings Detroit's Mike Huckaby to Footwork in what's sure to be a beat heavy, dark and twisted affair. Support comes from innovative Toronto DJ's Raul Vegas and Gerald Matrix among others. There's also free beer if you arrive early apparently...
NEIL