If the Strokes played folk music, they would sound like the Strumbellas, who played an impressive set of catchy folk tinged indie pop along the lines of the Great Lake Swim
mers at the Slice, Monday, June 4. I was pretty impressed with this band.
They had a heap of catchy melodies, toe tapping beats and a keyboardist who reminded me of the manic energy of the Weber Brothers’ keyboardist. Throughout, some fine fiddle lines wove in and out of all of the gently woven music.
There was a humourous moment when lead singer / guitarist Simon Ward lost his guitar pick mid song and had to ask the sparse audience if anyone had a pick.
Luckily a couple of us did.
They played a lot of music from their new CD “My Father and the Hunter,” One song featuring the refrain “Walking In The Desert,” was a highlight ending their first set.
They ended their first set with the more indie rock tinged “Sheriff,” one of the highlights from the CD and took a break while Ward went in search of another pick.
They encouraged the audience to stick around as they promised a more raunchy second set as Ward noted “because that’s when we’ve drank three straight beer.”
They were as a good as their word, playing a couple covers from bands like the Hooded Fang, and more original music. “Sailor’s Blues” from the CD was one of many highlights as was a more bluegrass flavoured number.
They had some superb vocal harmonies and lots of hooks mixed with their wry sense of humour.
