With fellow ace talents on board, Cos could rule Monarchs tonight

\TORONTO DOWNTOWN\

Like his bandmates —superstar guitarist with Blues/Tex-Rock icons MOXY Earl Johnson, and quirky but dominant Rock drummer paradigm Frank Russell— Blues songwriter, guitar teacher and achingly potent six-string electric Blus performer Frank Cosentino isn’t easy to write about in a few sentences.  Or even in a few paragraphs!

I’ve known Frank since he had hair and it was actually down to close to his ass and he was a frustrated star-in-making attending the original Stormy Monday jam series that Danny Marks used to host at Albert’s Hall in the early to mid-1990s.

His original tunes may be a tad derivative (“Lonely Street”/”Heartbreak Hotel”; “1,000 Miles”/”5,000 Miles” for example) but that doesn’t lessen their appeal any and he does add his unique “Cos” factor to the existing concepts to create something that, while familiar, is also distinctive.

But Frank is really better known as an edgy-soulful rockin’, wailin’-guitar Blues covers artist than for his own originals. And he’s got that down pat for sure, as do the fellow members of his new Double Shot four-piece that debuts tonight in a suitably impressive room: Monarchs Pub in the Eaton-Chelsea Hotel in downtown TO.

I’m assuming the “Double” in double-shot is an allusion to the fact that Johnson is a fellow rockin’ Blues guitar monster and I would in any case expect these two to be trading/battling sizzling solos and riffs throughout this 9-1 show on the very well-appointed stage in this hot spot within the hotel at 33 Gerrard St. West.

Or maybe the band’s moniker is a “double-Frank” reference:  Frank Cosentino on guitar and vocals and the seemingly ever-resilient Rock-lifer on the drums, Frank Russell.

(Manny D on the bass may seem irrelevant in this context but I suspect that he’s there because he’s the one person who can be the string that can control all these soaring kites of talent and ego.)

Or maybe “Double Shot” is just an acknowledgement of what you’ll be ordering around about the time the second set is halfway done —you know, moments like this don’t come around every night!

But one will be this evening. And if you like Rock-Blues guitar let loose to buzz-bomb your soul, you definitely want to consider being there as it does.

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

 LISTINGS:

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). 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, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

*3-7> acoustic jam with John Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

*4-6> Hogtown Syncopators @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

4:30-7:30> Marshall Dane @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Country Pop

*5-8> Kensington Kitchen Party with host Kevin Jollimore of Sin City Boys & guest musicians @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Pop Rock with heart

*5-7> open mic with The Foolish Things @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~original Pop

*5-7> Ronnie Hayward Trio @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.. TO E. ~Blues/Roots

5-8> Michael Bell & Rob Phillip Jazz Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

5:30> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

6> Big Rude Jake @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6-11:30> Beaches Jazz Festival StreetFest @ various locations along Queen St. E. between Woodbine Ave. and Beech Ave., TO East ~Jazz

6:30> Sara Dell @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

6:30> That Swing Thing @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Vaudeville

7-11> One King feat. Vivian George @ Balmy Beach Club, 360 Lake Front @ Beech Ave., TO East ~Jazz Rock

7:30> Kitgut Stringband @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~ol’ timey

8> Patrick Brealey @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO

*8-1> karaoke @ RCL #312, 112 Hunt St., Ajax

8> Paul Rooney Band @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Rock; $7

8:30> Nelly & Friends feat. Nelson Sobral @ Kensington Lodge, 21 Kensington Ave., TO ~original Rootsy Pop

8:30> Joseph Maviglia; The Range Runners @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~songwriters; $6

8:30> Sara Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Folk Rock; $20/-

9> Irish Sessions with DJ Stevie G @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Irish Rock

9> The Danger Bees feat. David Macmichael; Tedd; Chris Strazz; Howie Sutherland @ Sneaky Dees, 431 College St., TO ~indie alt-Pop; $12/-

9> Edward Roman; Erik @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO; $6

9-1> Dennis Gaumond Blues Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

9> Dani Nash Band @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~Country

9> Jack Marks & The Lost Wages @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Country

9-1> Frank Cosentino Band @ Monarchs Pub in Eaton Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~electric Blues

9-1> Fool’s Paradise @ Legends On The Queensway, 1184 The Queensway, Etobicoke South ~classic Rock

9> Johnn Pettit & The Rhythm Rats @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South

**9-1> Acoustic Affect with Alexander Quail, Carter Benkhe & guest Charlie Jacklin & Dale Luarvo @ Lake Affect, 1 Port St., Port Credit

9-1> PRJ @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa ~Blues

9> Paul Nathan Band @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9-1> Replay feat. Stephanie Braganza @ Bourbon, 31 Bayfield St. Barrie ~Rock/Dance

9-1> Itchy & Scratchy @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock

*9:30> Mike Celia @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~alt Pop originals and covers

9:30> MINT feat. Jonny Rock @ Blarney’s Gate, 1151 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~Rock

9:30> Tommy Rocker Classic Rock Show @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough ~classic Rock

9:30> Al Reilly’s Catalyst @ Centro Pizza, 3406 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~classic Rock

9:30> Gas Station Cowboys @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etob. S. ~Country Rock

9:30> Troy Harmer and the Persuaders @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock/Blues

9:30> Shane Scott Blues Band @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough ~Blues

9:30> After Glow @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Blvd., TO North

9:30> Greg Wyard @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Glenn Groves @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> The Nomads @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~Pop Rock

*9:30> open mic @ Big Daddy’s, 60 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill

9:30> FRESH @ Shakers, 580 Kerr St., Oakville ~

9:30> Acoustic Jukebox @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~Pop

9:30> IN2U @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:30> Cadillacs @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9:45> The McBirnie Brothers @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

9:45> Dee Dee and The Dirty Martinis @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz

9:45> The Brand New Low @ Stewart Maguire’s Landiong, 15 Allan Drive, Bolton Ont. ~Rock/Top 40

10-2> Chase N Diesel @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~ Rock/Top 40

10> The Dreadful Starlings feat. Iliya Vee & guests @ Not My Dog. 1510 Queen St. W., TO West ~indie Pop

10> The Sattelites @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Reggae; $10

10> Heavy Early @ Schuey’s, 1130 Martin Grove Rd., Etobicoke North ~Rock

10> Nik Teehan @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO

10> Ryan Driver Sextet @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

10-1> Pearly Jenkins & Lucky Strike @ Bar Radio, 615 College St., TO ~Roots; pwyc

10> The Desperate Executives; Stone The Radio @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

10-2> Tony “Wild T” Springer & The Spirit @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~sizzling guitar Blues

10:30> James Clark Institute with guest Maria Ryan @ Grumpy’s Bar, 1242 Rue Bishop, Montreal QC ~indie Pop

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