This Town Needs Guns

“June 1, 2010 – A hot, sticky day came to close at Sneaky Dee’s, inside which the night continued, just as hot and sticky. But at least the entertainment was good. Toronto’s Arietta and Oxford, U.K.’s This Town Needs Guns each riled up the crowd before Indiana’s Native blew them away.”

 … This Town Needs Guns, a band I hadn’t heard of until a few days before the show, but which apparently has quite a following in Toronto. There seemed to be even more people filling up the floor, if possible (and if you’ve been to Sneaky Dee’s for a show, you know exactly how limited the floor space upstairs is).

I’ll be honest; I didn’t really have any idea what to expect from them so to say that they exceeded my expectations is pretty frivolous. But they did; as in now, I would call myself a fan. The ever-dependable Wikipedia classifies them as a math rock band, and I can understand why. They were refreshingly experimental, with fluttering guitar riffs and scattered drum rolls.

They began with the melodious “Chinchilla,” followed by the just as melodious by the slightly more emotional “Baboon.” Lead singer Stuart Smith was dancing while singing with his eyes screwed in fervor, while jiggling the tambourine at appropriate song interims. It was also drummer Chris Collis’ birthday, and a cake was brought onstage in the middle of the set. But the band quickly returned to performing and by the fifth song, “Gibbon,” (they must really love animals) people were well absorbing the rhythm, and grooving along almost subconsciously.

This Town Needs Guns ended with “26 is Dancier than 4,” which when announced was received with loud cheers. It was the fastest song out the six they played that night, and seemingly the best known. Thus, ending their set on a high note, the boys starting dissembling their gear and Native  began setting up.

CLICK TO READ FULL SHOW REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAKINA SHAKIL

View more photos from this show here.