SoundProof Magazine Live Review: Spiral Beach
THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY THEATRE - DECEMBER 1 - by Lonely Vagabond -
Spiral Beach shows are always a sight to behold, and for the legion of bright-eyed fans who turned out in full-force at the Centre Of Gravity Theatre, the band unleashed kaleidoscopic jolts of electro-rock adrenaline.
Notorious for hosting all-ages shows in unconventional venues (The Hart House and The Toronto Islands) tonight was the setting of a musical circus, literally. Visual projections, jugglers, neon balloons and tire-swinging on ropes made for an all-ages playground under the Big Top.
You get the sense Spiral Beach do not take themselves too seriously, but don't let their youthful presence fool you. Their live shows are like mini-lightning bolts of crashing synth-rock fusion.
The four-piece stormed through songs from their self-titled debut and their latest album, Ball, chaotic sonic-gems igniting the stage with ripping guitar-riffs and swirling keyboards, like carefree art-students strutting back-and-forth on a sustained euphoric rush. The show had the communal feeling of a rave, with all-ages audience members in an underground dreamscape where dance-culture was replaced with thrashing electro-shock-rock therapy.
The band delivered rhythm-powered nuggets, including "Voodoo," "Philosophy Is My Cat," and "Made Of Stone," the aural equivalent of setting-off a string of firecrackers. Visually Spiral Beach has this innocent, candid charm, featuring keyboardist/vocalist Maddy Wilde (complete with feathered boa), bassist Dorian Wolf, and drummer Daniel Woodhead. But arguably the centerpiece is guitarist Airick Woodhead, slinky corrosive post-punk riffs that would rival any guitarist from T.O.'s indie-rock gutterati at the Silver Dollar or Sneaky Dee's.
Ambitious and genre-defining, Spiral Beach are torchbearers, with cross-over appeal catering to the all-ages underground ethos of raves, the pop confection of the Go! Team, frenzied outbursts of the Ramones, and the sleazy art-punk of the Creeping Nobodies and No Dynamics. There is no shortage of influences, including rockabilly and hip hop. It's all there. This foursome is definitely one of the most exciting bands to come from Toronto. Once you spot the huge cardboard thought-bubble with the words Spiral Beach displayed above the stage, strap in and hold onto your seat. Let the circus begin.
CONTACT
THE BAND: [email protected]
MANAGEMENT: [email protected]
BOOKING: [email protected]
