NXNE Saturday Showcases - Toronto, 6/10/06

Posted: 06.11.06 | Categories: [Brown Hornets]  [John Kastner]  [King Khan]  [NXNE]  [Sloan]  

North By Northweat Saturday showcases @ various venues, Toronto. June 11,2006.

On Saturday we had to experience "true NXNE style" and venue hop. First to El Mocambo for ex-Doughboy/expatriot John Kastner (primarily because pouty Patrick Pentland was one of Kastner’s backup crew). Kastner was perhaps a bit more leathery, but basically hasn’t aged a bit and still brings the rock. Only now with a sweet grin on his formerly punkrawk face…awww. Then over to Comfort Zone to catch the Brown Hornets (a bit cheesy for my tastes, but clearly a crowd pleaser. Plus who would diss getting a free banana tossed at them mid-set? If anything, the Brown Hornets keep your proper nutrition in mind).

We had a break between ElMo and Comfort Zone, so dashed up to the Silver Dollar for whatever they had going. Turns out it was the odd Tokyo trio Stone Deaf. Entertaining enough and not horrible, but in all honesty, the only thing remarkable about them was their girl drummer, bashing away in a white satin formal gown. Had to leave after about 4 songs because, since the night at the Dollar was very loud and sponsored by High Times Magazine, I was bordering on stoned AND deaf from just being there.

And finally - the icing on the Saturday night cake: King Khan and His Shrines. Rocking all 3 nights at Comfort Zone into the wee hours, they were probably the most hyped band of NXNE (okay, Television aside). Did they live up to the hype? Can a nearly-naked East Indian “crooner” and his German brass band do James Brown proud? See above - you tell me. King Khan stripped down to his polyester pants and island beads and woo’ed the whole place silly.

Additional photos from this show: Flickr slideshow.