Paying dues pays off

Hard-working Torontonians the Bicycles and the Golden Dogs rock in the new year

By Stevie Howell
Published: January 3rd, 2008 | 10:38am

December 31, 2007, in Toronto — With the arrival of New Year’s Eve comes the inevitable anxiety: what to do. There are so many choices (DJ sets, live bands, stay home with a bottle of wine and a few friends) and so many obstacles (crowds moving in herds, endless lineups, inflated prices). But for hundreds of Torontonians, the choice was clear. They braved the cold and the chaos to see two of our hardest working and most rewarding acts: the Bicycles and the Golden Dogs.

The Bicycles have been garnering a lot of buzz, and for good reason — their songs are well-crafted, upbeat, and ridiculously catchy. Wearing a uniform of matching T-shirts with a giant “B,” there is a retro vibe to both their look and sound — '60s bubblegum pop with a bit of an edge. Having seen the Bicycles on a few occasions, this New Year's Eve they did not disappoint. With their infectious tunes and easy camaraderie, they created a jovial atmosphere suited for the occasion.

There is a symmetry between the Bicycles and the Golden Dogs that makes for a great bill. Both share a pop-rock sensibility, both make music that is slightly nostalgic, and both bands are co-ed. The Golden Dogs' sound is slightly tougher, and their brand of music benefits greatly from being seen and heard live. Playing obvious crowd favorites such as “Construction Worker” and “1985,” they performed vigorously and, in turn, got the crowd going. Lead singer Dave Azzalini and keyboardist-vocalist Jessica Grassia in particular gave true rocknroll performances. A highlight was the song performed by guitarist Neil Quin because although it was the most subdued track, it more than made up the difference in melody.

So, a good choice was made and a good time was had by all. Complete with a guitar riff-driven new year's countdown, confetti, and sparklers, this was one high-energy way to call in 2008.