EIGHT AND A HALF at the Drake Hotel Underground (1150 Queen West), Wednesday (February 15). Rating: NNN
Not many bands get to play a sold out room for their debut show, but then again, not many bands are made up of ex-members of Broken Social Scene and the Stills like Eight and a Half are. The Drake Hotel was absolutely packed with too many well-known Canadian musicians to name, as well as tons of agents and promoters eager to get a first look at the new project (who mainly crowded the back bar and stairs, chattering incessantly as industry types tend to do).
At their best, Eight and a Half sound like what Radiohead could be doing, if only they weren’t so terrified to write a pop song. It’s rock music, but heavily influenced by contemporary electronic sounds. The recorded results are definitely exciting, but they’re still working through how to approach it live. Vocalist/guitarist Dave Hamelin knows how to work a stage, but his big Marshall amp overpowered all the subtle synthetic touches, which are the most intriguing aspects of their sound. With a few more dates under their belt, Eight and a Half will be a force to be reckoned with.
