![iM Video Premiere: SNOW DAY STUDIOS [The Violet Sound Sessions] #3: THE STRUMBELLAS – The Sherriff](http://www.theindiemachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/VSS3-150x150.jpg "iM Video Premiere: SNOW DAY STUDIOS [The Violet Sound Sessions] #3: THE STRUMBELLAS – The Sherriff")
Capsule Review: THESE ELECTRIC LIVES @ El Mocambo (NXNE 2012)
Toronto’s THESE ELECTRIC LIVES is a band that doesn’t play enough shows in the area for my liking. If the band is reading this right now, take note! We want to see you more often!
I don’t want to throw this around too loosely, but in my opinion THESE ELECTRIC LIVES is one of the top live acts in the city. They’re just a ton of fun, and they’ve been recognized as such – they were the winners of Indie Week back in 2010.
The easiest comparisons to make are to U2 or TEARS FOR FEARS, but with a decidedly dancier feel. The 80′s are clearly a big influence to these guys, but not in a lame way; it’s a modern take on a familiar feel. Big gated synth and delay and reverb-drenched guitar all figure prominently into their sound.
And damn, they are TIGHT live. With no exceptions the songs are bigger and better live than on the album – and the album is pretty damn good! Add in a tasteful backdrop of samples to beef up the sound along with their perfectly programmed light show and you’ve got a winner.
They played most of the tracks from 2010′s We See Light… and closed the set off with their recently-released cover of Wicked Game by CHRIS ISAAK. All in all it was a solid, energetic and fun set, and a great way to kick off the night.
Since that Indie Week win in 2010, THESE ELECTRIC LIVES have been a bit more off-the-radar than I would have liked. Here’s hoping that this is that start of a new comeback!
