Indieface Show Review: Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot, Ruby Coast

I had the pleasure of being at The White Rabbit last night for a show featuring Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot, and Ruby Coast.

Although I have heard of Ruby Coast, I wasn't too familiar with their sound. Their music has been dubbed Canadian indie pop rock, so if you've read any of my recent postings, you may recognize the feel of Ruby Coast (as did I!). This unsigned, Ontario quintet played only a few songs, but I found their brief set to be a refreshing collection of head-bobbing, foot-tapping tunes. As the opening act, Mark Robert Whiting, Nathan Vanderwielen, Keith Bradford, Justice McLellan, and Corey Marshall made a good impression on the early, lighter crowd, "CAW! CAW!"ing and all.

A highly anticipated Ra Ra Riot went on next. This six-piece band from Syracuse, NY is Milo Bonacci (lead guitar), Gabriel Duquette (drums), Alexandra Lawn (cello/backing vocals), Wesley Miles (lead vocals/keyboards), Mathieu Santos (bass guitar), and Rebecca Zeller (violin). They are and will continue to be influenced very heavily by John Pike, a co-writer, lyricist, vocalist, and original drummer who unfortunately died tragically in June 2007. Putting sadness aside, Ra Ra Riot shows they can soldier on and produce unique, but highly infectious bouncy indie pop rock. Seeing them live really draws your attention to the fact that a cello and a violin in this band produce quite a sound and sight to behold. Songs like "Can You Tell?", "Oh, La", "Ghosts Under Rocks", and the closer for the night, "Dying Is Fine", really come alive with the musicality Ra Ra Riot can offer. Highly recommend seeing them on tour this spring.

Also hailing straight outta Onatrio, the final act of the night, Tokyo Police Club, shared their energetic, punkish indie rock with the patrons of The White Rabbit. Greg Alsop (drums/percussion), Josh Hook (guitar/percussion), Dave Monks (lead vocals/bass guitar) and Graham Wright (keyboards/backing vocals) brought it hard and those who strictly came to the four-piece jam act got their money's worth. Songs like "Tessellate" and "Your English Is Good" resonate well live. The band's self-titled single, "Tokyo Police Club", had the crowd shouting back at Monks as he and the boys provided the powerful set with a proper conclusion. Catch them in person when you get the chance!

[All photos courtesy shagatude's lame camara phone. Special thanks to Pip! 3.13.2009]