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The Monks’ Bad Habits hard to break

An anomalous punk hit in Canada gets a loving tribute at the Horseshoe. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Jul 25 2012 “Nice legs, shame about her face.” If you’re old enough to remember those lyrics, you’ll recall that circa 1979-1980 there was a band named The Monks that owned Canadian Top 40 radio for a spell with the novel ditty “Drugs In My Pocket.” The…


Gomez goes for variety

Easygoing Brit band plays Mod Club, after a break for health. Gomez called off last year’s tour when Ben Ottewell, centre, lost his singing voice. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Jul 20 2012   Gomez likes to mix it up. Part of the charm of the five-piece experimental rock band from Southport, England is that it’s hard to pinpoint their sound. When they first broke…


Maxi Priest’s take on Jamaican history

Concert June 28  to mark independence sparks frank talk from reggae star.   . Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Jun 27 2012   A very important milestone in Jamaican history is just around the corner. August 6 marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence from British rule, but Toronto’s Caribbean community is marking the occasion six weeks early with Jamaican Rhythms. To be held June 28…


Nellie McKay embraces music, keeps public at bay

Wide-ranging chanteuse ends boycott of Canada with Horseshoe gig. Nellie McKay plays the Horseshoe Tavern on June 30.     Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Jun 27 2012   It’s hard to know where to start with Nellie McKay. Over eight years and five albums, the enormously talented British-born New Yorker has immersed herself in disciplines both visual and musical, ranging from acting in major motion…


Nickelback burns up ACC

  Nick Krewen Special To The Star, Published on Sun Apr 22 2012 Rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be larger than life. Last night at the Air Canada Centre, Nickelback made it seem mammoth. Operating under the notion that bigger is better, the four deans of lustful, bone-crunching rock offered the estimated 14,000 in attendance (and pop star Avril Lavigne) everything that one would expect from a dazzling marvel:…