SAM CASH & THE ROMANTIC DOGS at the Cameron House, Saturday, September 14. Rating: NNN
“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” was still blaring from the PA when Sam Cash & The Romantic Dogs abruptly kicked off. With a youthful exuberance, it was clear Cash is no fan of waiting his turn. Celebrating the release of their new full-length, Stand Together, Fall Together, the four-piece quickly ripped through their first of three sets. Brash and unapologetic, Cash’s good-time rock still came off remarkably tight.
The band exuded an optimism that is clearly born of their friendship. At times Cash and the Dogs appeared cramped on the smallish stage, yet judging by their energy, they likely could’ve set up shop in the bathroom and still thrown down with as much gusto.
Cash wore his heart on his sleeve, sporting a hearty smile throughout the night. Their new record is detailed in the liner notes as “…largely a love letter to Toronto – and to a few girls.” Those girls were well represented up front, spotted singing along en masse to nearly all of the new material.
The band’s CBC-approved rock married a healthy balance of grit and emotion, and eventually a few old(er)-timers joined Cash’s young fans up front, especially when the set leaned on his obvious classic rock influences.
They may be a young act, but Cash proved he’s got the kind of swagger that is, at its best, timeless.
