With a plethora of catchy musical hooks, ample explosive energy, and boy-girl vocal harmonies in spades, Toronto six-piece pop-rockers THE CAUTIONEERS delivered the best possible end we could’ve had for CMW 2012 Day 4.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I shouldn’t have worn long-johns today… it was a big mistake,” griped frontman Steven Cooper, wiping his brow as the band finished a track in their set at the notoriously sauna-like Rancho Relaxo. “It’s probably the biggest regret of my life.”

This was met with numerous boisterous male audience cries of “TAKE IT OFF!” – which Cooper quickly assured would take much too long and eat into their night-capping set.

Having released their debut EP Where We Are back in November, to a resounding successful crowd (yes it was with us, at the El Mocambo, so sue me), the six-members of THE CAUTIONEERS have been busy honing their live show and working on new material… and it definitely shows.

When they hit the stage, they’re tight – and they’re constantly exchanging glances and gestures to sync up their physical movements to the rhythms of each song, so it ends up looking that much more put-together.

Newly-joined synth player Eytan Tobin (of recent iM premiere/live showcase act ELEKTRO TANK) brings plenty of energy to the live performance – even jumping out into the crowd mid-song with a tambourine when his synth isn’t included in the current musical breakdown.

This pairs extremely well with Cooper, bassist Brandon Johns, and guitarist Greg O’Toole who also tend to drift around the stage area with a certain swagger – we’re sure keyboardist Amanda Barroso and drummer Adam Silva would get this involved too if their instruments were slightly more portable, but they still do their own fair share of rocking on the spot.

Ultimately, the band is really just a hell of a lot of fun to watch: everyone sings, dances and yells – they’re clearly all having a blast, and they want very much so for you to join in on the action.

Just don’t ask Cooper to strip during the set – catch him afterwards when he’s a sweaty mess.

- Photos by LIZ GARERI