The Automatik

The Joel Plaskett Emergency w/Major Grange
The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, Ontario
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

It strikes me as funny to spend all day listening to the Butthole Surfers and then go see the Joel Plaskett Emergency at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Yet I’m glad I am able to fully embrace all of my different musical obsessions; how boring it would be to listen to only one thing.

The Horseshoe has something in common with both my mother and Sparks’ Ron Mael: they were both born in 1947. To celebrate 60 years of rocking, they are hosting an impressive array of shows over the next couple of weeks (Blue Rodeo, Rhett Miller, Danko Jones), commencing with a “one album a night” musician-in-residence series in the form of Joel Plaskett and his band, The Emergency.

Joel Plaskett © 2007 Pete Nema

Plaskett became an indie rock god with Thrush Hermit, the band he started while still in his teens. But don’t think that renders their music lightweight. Thrush Hermit sounded like they spent many hours getting stoned and listening to Led Zeppelin records. Plaskett’s first solo album, In Need Of Medical Attention, was a much more mellow affair than his former band’s output, but over the course of his last four albums, he’s dispensed with most of the Page-friendly riffage and developed a singular voice in Canadian music, weaving references to his past and Canadian culture throughout his lyrics in a way that is somehow undeniably universal and compelling.

Yesterday’s freezing rain had long since become a normal drizzle, so the weather wasn’t keeping away the fans. Shaun and I found a spot near stage right, behind a couple of photographers and next to some hardcore fans who appeared to have been at the club since the doors opened.

Opening band Major Grange was quite good and had a mellow pop vibe that meshed well with Plaskett’s aesthetic. By the time they finished, the ‘Shoe was getting crowded and despite the wintry temperatures outside the heat inside was rising.

I’ve been to hundreds of rock shows in my time, both at large and small venues. I’ve become grudgingly accustomed to rude patrons, bizarre and obsessed fans, and the unpleasant realization that not everyone bathes on a regular basis. But the conversation I had last night still perplexes me.

There were two guys standing nearish and in front of us. One of them was pretty toasted and kept waving around his bottle of beer. He didn’t seem to grasp the concept of “personal space,” much less depth perception. He finally wandered away after Major Grange finished their set, much to our delight. In fact, I think I applauded or whooped or something similar. Two ladies then scooted in to stand in front of me and Shaun. They were sweet and apologized in advance for the possibility of some enthusiastic dancing. I told them not to worry about it.

Suddenly, the gal next to me, who I’ve never seen before, and who did not appear to be with them, tapped my arm.

“Are you going to get closer to the stage?” she asked.

I was confused. “Probably?”

“Well, then you might want to move up now or people will keep standing in front of you.”

Thanks, Mom. I’m not sure what the point of that conversation was. When I filled Shaun in on the details, he asked, “Has she ever BEEN to a rock show before?” I could understand if she stood in front of me and then, upon my complaining, made that comment, but I remain befuddled by the entire exchange, especially since she then moved about five feet away with her friends.

This didn’t detract at all from the Emergency’s set. New bass player Chris Pennell didn’t have the ultra-relaxed air of Ian McGettigan, but he was still greeted with a lot of enthusiasms from the crowd. The always-charming Peter Elkas helped out on stage with keyboards, guitars, tambourines, maracas, and general atmosphere. And it is always a treat to witness Dave Marsh and his fantastic drumming.

Down at the Khyber was the first Plaskett album I heard and loved and so it holds a special place in my heart. It was incredible to experience it performed live in its entirety. Every song sounded amazing, particularly “Waiting To Be Discovered,” “Blinding Light,” and “Light of the Moon,” the latter being my favorite Plaskett song of all time.

After the album was done, the band played a whole bunch of tunes, including a few from the latest album, Ashtray Rock. Particularly memorable was the lovely acoustic version of “Radio Fly” from Truthfully Truthfully. Even the buckets of sweat that were pouring from everyone’s skin couldn’t dampen the excitement of seeing The Emergency live in such an intimate setting. There was only one encore, but who could complain when the set lasted two hours? We all got to shout along to the unbelievably awesome and rousing “Fashionable People” before the band left for good. Then we gathered our coats and what was left of our hearing, knowing that it was all worth it.