\ ETOBICOKE SOUTH \
Though nobody else seems to have noticed, tonight’s show by classic/contemporary Rock band Cameltoe at Southside Johnny’s in Etobicoke basically marks the 15th anniversary of the group, which has grown into a very appealing presence bound to excite the Rock loving crowd in the room.
Etobicoke’s homegrown Rock ‘n’ Roll heroes are these days, in fact, one of the tightest, tidiest and terrifically exciting cover groups I’ve seen in some time. Rough and green when they formed in May of 2001, they’ve evolved to be polished performers who nevertheless leave just enough exposed edges to create dynamism.
It was in the May 16-22, 2001 edition of my TorontoMoon.ca predecessor publication, to-nite [Issue #207], that the Cameltoe name first appeared in print as the host band of a new Tuesday night jam at then-Fox & Fiddle pub at Lake Shore Blvd. and 31st St. in the Mimico area. For the two previous weeks the combo had run the event they were billed simply as The Joshua Band —which made sense since it was built around drummer Joshua Shaw, still the sticksman for the group (with another local skins ace, Doug Campbell, sometimes filling in).
In the first article I wrote about the band [in Issue #208, May 23-29, 2001 —subscribers can read a scan of it as a high-res image in the Vault section of the website] I focused more on the jammers who had come out, since I knew two of them but, as I noted in the piece, “the members of the actual four-piece house band were new to me.”
Those members also included, in addition to Shaw, ace guitarist Adam Berry and two others who were replaced before long: a bassist named Carlos and singer named Genevieve. It was when singer-guitarist Steve Aucoin joined the group that Cameltoe really began to gel.
Over the course the ensuing year or so they were became much in demand and soon migrated to doing showcase dates at a lively music room near to the F&F, a club at 3653 Lake Shore known then as J. R.’s and, enduringly for the past 12½ years, as Southside Johnny’s, where they’ve been performing regularly, except for a bit of a break, ever since.
Though there was a bit of a hiatus for a couple years, it’s been a few now since they reunited as the present configuration (which nowadays includes masterful Stan Miczek on bass —whose other bands include locals Groovestone and some guy named Randy Bachman) to begin a series of “reunion” shows that have basically led to the group becoming once again a staple of the area’s hottest live music joint.
I caught them for a couple of sets earlier this year when they played Southside owner John Theodore’s spectacular 60th birthday party at the club and what impressed me, in addition to their pure talents and energy, was the variety and range of their repertoire and the well-constructed sound mix that gave the vocals full presence and allowed each instrument the space to show its personality. These guys have become masterful performers, delivering a real show and filling the dance floor seemingly at will.
As they toured decades of great hits from “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Have You Seen The Rain” through “Little Pink Houses”, “Space Cowboy”, “I Will Survive” (yes, really!) “One Love”, “Don’t Leave Me High” and “Ahead By A Century” (bet they’ll bring the house down if they do that one tonight) they nailed each number and deftly kept anticipation building with each new number.
Whether or not they even realize the milestone they’re crossing with this show tonight, I have no doubt that —especially with the weather forecast to be summer-party ready and the club’s patio now going full bore— it will be another in the long series of what have become locally legendary shows by a band that clearly loves what it does so well way too much to ever give it up.
-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, June 03, 2022
Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.
Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Events preceded by question mark (?) usually take place but have not been confirmed. Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.
Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, highlighted, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.
416 – TORONTO CENTRAL
*3-7> acoustic jam with John Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO
*4-6> Hogtown Syncopators @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
*5-7> The Friends of Hugh Oliver @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk
6-8> Sinners Choir @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO
*5:30> Jazz Generation; Melissa Smeets @ Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas St. E., TO ~Jazz
6-9> First Fridays with Hold The Bus featuring Kevin Jeffrey @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Roots/Country
6> David Celia @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~original Pop
6:30> The Jive Bombers @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
7:30-9:30> Sarah Loucks @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO
7:30> Starfires @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO
8> Jerry Leger @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO ~original Rock/Pop
*8:30-12:30> All Star Band feat. Joe Bowden & Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues
8:30> Nada Surf; Woodpigeon @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~$20.50
9> The Graham Boys @ C’est What, 170 Baldwin St., TO
9> Kat Goldman; Ben Sures; Rebecca Campbell @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~songwriters; $
9> Stiletto Flats feat. Elana Harte @ Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd., TO North ~retro & classic
9> Eric Arthur Blair; The Fallers; The Peculiar; Mike Ruby @ The Silver Dollar, 486 Spadina Ave., TO ~indie; $
9> Hooded Fang; HSY; Germaphobes @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~$10.50
9> Coldjack @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $
9:30> Ginger Gray Music @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO
9:30> Lady Kane @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Funk/Soul/R&B; $10
9:45> Jeremy Pelt with Johnny Griffith Quartet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
9:45> Dee Dee & The Dirty Martinis @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~60s R&B; $
10> Dave Murphy Band @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Rock/Funk/R&B; $
10> Pudding @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO
10> Mushkat; Ronok Sarkar; Amelia Chester @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~songwriters
10> Saturday Night Superstars @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Pop Rock
10> The Better Half @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock
10:30> Combo Royale @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO
10:30> Rockyard @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock
416 - TORONTO EAST
5-7> The Straight 8s @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East
7-9> Bossa Tres @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~romantic dinner music
*9> open mic with Matt & Mike @ The Grover Pub, 676 Kingston Rd., TO East
*9:30> David Macmichael & The $5 Tall Boys @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~alt Pop originals and covers
9:30> The Moving Violations @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~classic & new Rock/Blues; $5
10> Covered In Cash @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East ~Johnny Cash tribute
10:30> Rain Beat @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock
416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE
7:30> Canadian Jazz Quartet @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge
9-1> Hell N Back featuring James Alcock; Rock and Roll Over @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~AC/DC & KISS tributes; $
9> The Release @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40
10-2> Cameltoe @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~classic & contemporary Rock
10> Southbound Soul @ Bier Markt Etobicoke, 199 North Queen St., Etobicoke ~Pop Rock
416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH
9:30> Rough ‘n’ Ready featuring Mike Eby on drums @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough ~Country Rock
9:30> Greg Wyard @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock
416 - TORONTO WEST
5-7> Angie Hilts @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Folk
5-8> Denis Leslie Jazz Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz
6:30> Gabriel Palatchi Trio for Lulaworld Festival @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~$
8> Hatchey the Mouthpeace; Glass Hand @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~$
9-1> The Pearl Motel @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz
9> Half Waif; Kilmanjaro; TV Sets; Akage No Anne @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West
9> Eat A Peach @ Remix Lounge, 1305 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Allman Brothers tribute; $
9> The Priddle Concern; McGrasker @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~$5
9> Matty Powell @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~songwriter
9:30> Arthur Renwick @ Amico’s Pizza, 1648 Queen St. W., TO West ~Roots/Blues songwriter
9:30> Dan Mock Band @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West
10-2> Hot Wax Meltdown @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~Rock
10> Carangon Del Norte for Lulaworld Festival @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Cuban Salsa; $15
519
8> Brave & Crazy @ The Newfoundland Club, 1500 Dunbar Rd., Cambridge ~Rock ‘n’ Roll; $25
8:30> John Tayles @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~Pop
9> Klawz @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford
705
5-7> Latchford & Greig @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
5:30> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
8-11:45> Sense Less @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~
8:30> Rye Street @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
9> Drew Wright @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood
9> Renders; Blimp Rock; Doug Hoyer @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough
9:30> Pack Ad @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
9:30> The Dirty Little Swing Thing @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie
10> Zachary Lucky & Lil’ Andy @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
905 EAST
9> Ben Hudson @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country
*9:30> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur & Lorraine @ Royal Canadian Legion #322, 112 Hunt St., Ajax
9:30> North Of 7 @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~Rock/Top 40
9:30> Still Sunday @ The Ridges Pub, 775 Liverpool Rd., Pickering ~Rock/Blues
10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock
10-2> Andy Earl & The Bandits @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 36 Kingston Rd., E., Ajax ~Blues/Jazz
10-2> Fourfit @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa
905 NORTH
9> Ross Burant @ Fionn MacCool’s Newmarket, 17315 Leslie St., Newmarket ~Pop
9:30> Skip Tracer @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~Pop Rock
9:30> Classic Edge @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock
*9:30> open mic @ Big Daddy’s, 460 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill
10> Why Now @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock
905 – SOUTH
6:30> Ferguson Young with Liam McGlashon @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton
8> Rothwell @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40
8> General Sherman; Barbarosa; Rob Allen @ Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St. Hamilton
9> The Bandicoots; The White Crowleys; Jaunt (album release) @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton
9:15> The Old Winos & guests Wendell Ferguson & Katherine Wheatley @ The Old Winery Restaurant, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake
9:30> Red Electric @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~indie; $
9:30> Virtual Journey @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton
9:30> California Sun @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ~Beach Boys tribute
10> Ronnie and The Rockets @ The Wellington Arms, 222 Cannon St. E., Hamilton ~Rock/R&B
905 WEST
*5> Adam Ostrosser & Joel Guenther @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Pop
*6-9> Sil Simone & Tony Paglia @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~ Blues/Jazz/Pop
8> Organic Balkanic @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Balkan Gypsy-Folk Fusion; $15
8-11:30> The Ballroom Babies @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington
9> Pop Agenda @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington ~Pop
9:30> Kenny V @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock/Top 40
9:30> Billick @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Pop Rock
9:30> RENO @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock
9:30> Dirty Pioneers @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~Pop Rock
9:30> The Big Time Killin’ Time Band @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~9-piece party Rock; $
9:30> Cameltones @ Jersey’s Bar, 1450 Headon Rd., Burlington ~Rock/Top 40
9:30> Firecracker Line @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Pop Rock
9:30-11:30> Glenn Groves @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington
10-2> The Gator James Band @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/R&B
10> The Heat @ Bier Markt Mississauga, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ~Pop Rock
10:15> Sarah Wickett @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga ~Pop Rock
10:30> Oh Geronimo @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock
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