\ TO DOWNTOWN \
If you wanted to produce an album that satirized the music of alt-Pop wonderkid songwriter David Macmichael and his Danger Bees band, you just might end up releasing a disc exactly like Nothing Sexy by Jody Ferrer and his Jody and the Friendzone group.
This record, released last year by the brilliant young troubadour and scourge of the open stages across TO, is what I can only describe as alternative alt-Pop. As one of its songs, “Hipsters Suck”, reminds us, there is much that is amusing not only in the emo expressions of modern songwriters but in the earnest, too-smug attempts of an entire generation of millennials to be simultaneously politically correct and hip.
Ferrer’s gift for satire is well known after the many impersonations he’s conducted at open mics at Relish in east TO, where Macmichael (who of course hosts the Sunday jam there) has been a favourite and much-loved target of Jody’s wit, all in good fun.
As if one-upping the Bee on this disc by shooting for an “Eh?”, Ferrer seems to actually be sort of lampooning himself, taking off on the fact that his lolly song “The Friendzone” has become a kind of signature tune that has defined him to the point of his adopting it as a band name. But here the joke is taken to the extreme.
The secret to pulling off the sustained meta-irony and discordance of these songs —every last one of which except the 11th “bonus track” is about romantic frustration— may be in what I’d call “studied carelessness.”
An apparent disregard for tone or chordal accuracy in the playing of the guitar, along with a slight affectedness in the constantly slightly off-key vocals, combines to create a contrived authenticity that creates a kind of “alternative music” universe. That might all just sound like lack of talent to those who don’t know, but if you try it you’ll find that singing off-key for an entire song is not as easy as you think —in fact, as a vocal teacher once pointed out to me, it’s actually harder to do than singing entirely in tune.
The effect is that of ironic distancing —something Macmichael and his Bees have down to an art, of course— multiplied by itself. Ferrer has taken the approach to its ultimate conclusion, even at one point letting the cat out of the bag by ending a song with the simple spoken line “ironic ending.”
Of course all this not-quite-harmonic resonance would start to jangle after a while if it weren’t for the fact that Ferrer is, first and foremost, a poet/lyricist of rare gift. His starkly frank and extremely witty confessions of the frustrations of —there’s no other way to put it— trying to get laid are, while often hilarious, also bang on true, as anyone who has been a young man with too much testosterone and too few willing accomplices in releasing it will well know.
If the date for Jody’s feature act tonight as part of an open mic at Cherry Cola’s hadn’t been switched from its originally scheduled time for tomorrow, I would have anticipated that Macmichael and many other pals would be there for the 8 p.m. one-hour set in the room at 200 Bathurst Street. (The open mic itself runs 4-10.) But with David committed to setting up the 9:30 open stage at Relish it’d be difficult for him to make an appearance tonight, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Jody shows up at the 2152 Danforth Ave. room afterwards to recap some highlights.
If you can make it out to either show, therefore, you can probably grab a copy of this young artist’s debut album which, while it may be a one-of-a-kind product, I have certainly found is well worth multiple listens.
-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, March 12, 2022
For KEY to listings codes and schemata see note at end of shows list.
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ON AIR / ONLINE
*3-5am> The Rock-A-Round with Slim Tim @ www.rockabilly-radio.net ~ Rockabilly tracks (from UK, repeat of Fri show, also runs Wednesdays 6-8am)
*6, 7, 10 & 11am; 5 & 7 pm> “Sunday Morning Soul” with Johnny Max @ www.sundaymorningsoul.com ~Blues
9am> “The Hoose Radio Show” Wee Dan Hoose @ http://www.bluesandrootsradio.com/ ~ artist interviews and tracks
416 – TORONTO CENTRAL
11am-2pm> The Schpeelers for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St.
*11am-2> The Mercenaries @ Drake One Fifty, 150 York St. ~retro Rock/Soul
12am-2pm> Robert Scott @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~piano Jazz; $5
noon-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz
3-5> Sue & Dwight with Dave Lang @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~Folk singalong
7> Trish MacAulay and Dinah Thorpe @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E. ~pwyc
3:30-6:30> Club Django @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Django Jazz; $
4-10> open mic with 8-9 feature by Jody Ferrer @ Cherry Cola’s, 200 Bathurst St.
4> Geoff Marshall & The Mail Order Cowboys @ Cloak & Dagger, 394 College St. ~Country; pwyc
*4-7> Stephen Stanley & Chris Bennett @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots
4> David Diao Group @ Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Ave. ~Jazz-Rock 
*4:30-8> New Orleans Connection All Stars & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave. ~New Orleans Jazz
4:30-7:30> Joel Sheridan, Ewen Farncombe & Jordan O’Connor @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St. ~Sinatra Jazz
4:30> Colleen Allen with Adrean Farrugia & George Koller for Jazz Vespers @ Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. ~Jazz
5> “More Songs & Poems” with Robert Priest & Max Layton with guests Lost & Profound & house band featuring Ed Roth & David Hines @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~music & poetry
5-9> Robbie Lane & The Disciples @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road ~vintage Rock/R&B; $10
6-7:30> Renee Yoxon & Ilana Waldston @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Dave Frishberg songs; $10/pwyc
*6-9> open mic with Eddy Culjak @ Fox & Fiddle Wellesley, 27 Wellesley St.
6> “When Women Rule The Night” showcase of fem. songwriters, poets and artists @ Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Ave. ~Jazz-Rock
*7-1> Freefall Sundays open stage (2 songs each -signup @ 7 or pre-sign online) @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta St.
7-9:30> Bossa Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Bossa Nova Jazz; $
7-9:30> Karen Zila Hayes @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~Jazz; $
*7-10> Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues/Jazz/R&B
7:30> GUH! @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~Jazz
8> Penny Presser Jazz Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W.
*8> jam/open mic with backline & host band Meg and the Scene @ The Antler Room, 146 Front St. W.
*8> open mic with Kyle @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St.
*8-12> The Honour Roll with REMY trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~freestyle Hip Hop; 0$
8> The Band Perry @ Mod Club, 722 College St. ~Country; $
8-10> Rob Allen @ Trinity Common, 303 Augusta Ave.
8:30> Andrew Sharp; Hannah Maz @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. ~~songwriters; $7
8:30-10> Whitney Ross-Barris @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Tom Waits songs; $10/pwyc
9> Carpenter Brut; Le Matos @ Velvet Underground, 508 Queen St. W. ~French electronic music; #
9:30> Bugaloo Squad @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $
*10> Horshack feat. Chris Caddell @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. ~Bluesy contemporary & classic Rock
10> Lina Allemano Four @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.
10> New Grease Revival @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W.
**10> Blues jam with Bill Hedefine & guests Terry Wilkins & Nick Tabarias @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.
416 – TORONTO EAST
11am-2pm> Bossa Tres for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz; 0$
**2-5> Tracey Gallant & Ted Quinlan @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz; 0$
*3-6> open mic with Nicola Vaughan @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave.
4> Fraser/Daley @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E. ~Rootsy Blues originals
*4:30-8:30> Rock/Blues jam with William A. Miller’s Black Bear All-Stars @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive
4:30-8:30> jam with The Two Fours @ The Peppery Cat, 1953 Queen St. E.
5> Jens Lekman @ The Tiny Record Shop, 804 Queen St. E. ~songwriter; Daily Food Bank donation admission
7-11> John Findlay Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave ~R&B/Blues; 0$
*9-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave.
4-8> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Michael Schatte & Shakey Dagenais @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd. ~Blues/R&B
4:30-11> Fundraiser for Steffi Goodfield with various acts @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~eclectic; $
5-9> David Love Band also featuring Darrell McNeill @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~melodic 60s Pop Rock
*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH
*2-6> Dan Walek hosts acoustic jam @ Norm’s Place, 3439 St. Clair Ave. E.
*7-11> open jam with host Gtar Live @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave.
416 – TORONTO WEST
**11-2> live Jazz brunch @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W.
11-1:30> Jorge Maza & Pancho Galván @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Latin Jazz brunch
*noon-3> Julian Fauth & Ken Yoshioka @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W. ~Blues
* noon-3> The Cosmotones @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~Bluegrass
4> Whiskey Jack @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W. ~Roots-Rock
**5-8> John Borra & Sam Ferrara w. guest @ The Communist’s Daughter, 1149 Dundas St. W. ~Country
5> Alexandra Hawse; Tyler Simmons @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St. ~young songwriters
5-8> Adam Shier & Ivan Rosenberg @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~old-time Country Roots
5-8> Fifth Element @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz
6> Monk’s Music @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~Jazz; pwyc
6> Kevin Foster @ Reposado, 136 Ossington Ave. ~one-man band
7> Another Bloody Folk Club @ Yellow Griffin Pub, 2202 Bloor St. W. ~traditional English Folk
7> Kim Davis & Faith Walker; Omar Lunan; The Recipe Band @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Soul; $15
7:30> Full Worm Moon Fundraiser @ Smiling Buddha (lower) Stage 2, 961 College St. ~indie
8:30> Lindsay Foote recording release for Going Gone; guest Claire Hunter @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~songwriter; $12
8:30> Michael Davids @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~Jazz vibraphone artist; pwyc
9-1> The Short Wayners @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz
9> The Crooked Beat @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~
*10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~retro Rock/Soul; $10
10:30> Luke Vajsar @ Motel Bar, 1235 Queen St. W. ~Jazz
519
1> Suzie Vinnick concert & hosting Blues guitar workshop @ K’s Studio, 63 Toronto St., Guelph ~Blues; $
2-3> Alanna Gurr; Tannis Slimmon + 3-5 open mic @ Miijidaa Café Bistro, 37 Quebec St., Guelph ~Roots songwriters
2-4> Traditional English Music Folk Sessions @ The Brownestone Gastropub, 39 Queen St. E., Cambridge
*3-7> acoustic open mic with Scott Rhodes @ The Pick and Shovel, 30 Water St., Cambridge
4> Mike MacDonalds hosts jam @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener ~
*9-1> jam @ Ivy Arms Pub, 201 Main Street E., Milton
9:30> Romeo Sex Fighter @ Duke of Wellington, 33 Erb St. W. Waterloo
*10-2> open mic with Nathan Coles @ Jimmy Jazz, 52 Macdonnell St., Guelph
705
2-5> Joe Huron Trio with guest tba @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~Jazz
3> Christine Artrill Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
9> Kerry Jane; Stephen Stamp @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough
905 EAST
*3-6> Chris Stapley & Earl Johnson @ Ridges Pub, 776 Liverpool Rd., Pickering ~acoustic Blues/Rock
*3:30-7:30> Jon McCann & JD Bass host jam @ West Shore, 893 Bayly Ave., Pickering
4> Terry B @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
6-10> open jam with Juggernaut @ The Edge Lounge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax
*8> Gibran & Matt “Smokey” Wildfong @ Harwood Blues, 7 Harwood Ave., Ajax ~Blues
*8:30-12:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W. Whitby
*10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock
905 NORTH
**Noon> Nate Douglas & guest @ Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood
**1-3> Joe & Frank with guest performer @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point ~Jazz
*1:30-4:30> Blaine Burnie, Mark Thackway & friends @ Coach House Pub, 3 Felcher Boulevard, Stouffville ~acoustic Roots
*3-7> open stage with Kevin Ker @ The Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville
*3-7> Daniel Davies Band hosts jam @ C.J. Barley’s, 213 The Queensway S., Keswick
5-8> Nicole Coward @ Copper Kettle Pub, 517 Main St., Georgetown ~original & cover Folk
*5> open mic with Crosstown Band @ Time Out, 68 Main St., Georgetown
*5:30-9:30> open jam with host band Faces For Radio & guest @ Crown and Anchor Pub, 389 Main St. N., Brampton
*6-9:30> The Andy Earle Trio @ Big Daddy’s Newmarket, 446 Davis Drive, Newmarket ~Blues
*8> acoustic open mic with Kat Vhonda @ Wild Wing Newmarket, 340 Eagle Street, Newmarket
905 SOUTH
2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guest Al Lerman @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $7
*3> Brother Tom Finochio hosts kitchen party jam @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton
*4> open mic with Neon Moon @ Moose Lodge, 1860 Barton St., Hamilton
4:30-7:30> Alfie Smith @ Cat ‘N’ Fiddle, 174 John St. S., Hamilton
*7> open mic @ The Wee Dram, 1831 Main St. W., Hamilton
*7-11> open Country jam with Robert Tyler @ Gladstone Tavern, 1385 Main St. E., Hamilton
*7:30-11:30> open jam hosted by Troy Harmer & The Persuaders @ The Brown Barrel, 1515 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton
8> The Pick Brothers @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton
9-12> Adam Ostrosser & guest @ Cat ‘N’ Fiddle, 174 John St. S., Hamilton
9> tba @ The Baltimore House, 43 King William St., Hamilton
?*10> open mic with Kim Koren @ West End Pub, 151 Emerson St., Hamilton
10:30> Chris Chambers Group @ Gallagher’s Bar, 69 Augusta St., Hamilton
905 WEST
2-6> Wendy Lynn Snyder @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country
*3-6> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock
3:30> James Anthony @ Abbey Arms, 481 North Service Rd., Oakville ~Blues
4-7> Glenn Groves @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~Country
*4:30-8> Chuck Jackson’s All Stars @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues
**5:30-8:30> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock
6:30> “The Kids Are Alright” youth jam @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville
**7-11> The Nomads @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock
*8> open mic night with house band featuring Mike Shotton, Tim & Dave Johns @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington
*9-1> After Funk @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Funk/Blues; $
*10:30> Adam Cooke & The Adams Family @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington
LISTINGS KEY
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.
-Copyright © 2017 by Gary “17” Webb-Proctor & TorontoMoon,ca. All Rights Reserved
