"Spadina Bus" by The Shuffle Demons (sources: videosift, youtube)

Long before Spadina Avenue got its right-of-way, the tune that started the Shuffle Demons' revolution crowed: "I want confirmation on my information about my transportation from Spadina station ... well, 77A -- I guess that'll be OK -- but I want 77B on the T-T-C ..." The track's opening standup bass, saxophone and drumkit riff should also sound familiar to some, as that sample served as the original theme music for Speaker's Corner on CityTV.

Founding Demon Richard Underhill (who still wears that dashiki he's rocking in the video) rounded up core and alumni players from the Demons' roster for tonight's show at Lula Lounge, their first in Toronto in two years. Another bonus tonight: the guys have issued this Streetnik alert for fans to come forward with stories, songs, memories and all things Shuffle Demons to vie for a spot in their upcoming DVD:

"The Shuffle Demons need YOU! We are looking for fans, media types and musicians to help us tell the Shuffle Demon story. At our first live gig in 2 years at Lula Lounge on April 24th, we will have a Shuffle Demons Speakers Corner set up. Tell us about the first time you saw the Shuffle Demons, the wackiest moment at a show, your memories of the Spadina Bus, how you helped to break the World Record with us, how you solved your cockroach problem using our music...be creative. We will pick the best stories and include them in our DVD which will be released this fall. Hope to see you there!"

World record? That's right -- led by the Demons, more than 900 horn-blowers wailing in Dundas Square earned the nod from Guinness back in 2004 for largest saxophone ensemble (Sax-man Wayne Smith, who's also involved with Fair Vote Canada, took many a photo of that event). And while the lineup for tonight consists of several hundred fewer players, remember, we're talking about 2003 Juno-winner Underhill playing in a mix of friends and collaborators who know each other's styles like they once knew the difference between the 77A, B, and C. I guess that'll be OK, eh?

Lineup for April 24:

Perry White - tenor and baritone saxophone
Richard Underhill - alto and baritone sax
Kelly Jefferson - tenor sax
George Koller - bass
Stich Wynston - drums
"We all sing (sort of!)"

Shuffle Demons
At Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St W (1.5 blocks west of Dufferin)
8PM show, doors at 7PM
$10 (all ages with an adult), dinner package $49
(416) 588-0307 or event page on Lula.ca for more info