Since I started writing about music seven years ago, and even before that, I’ve been lucky enough to catch some rad performances — Feist launching Let It Die at Soundscapes; Björk’s Homogenic string ensemble at the then-Warehouse — that I’d even characterize as legendary.
One show I’ll probably never get over happened back in 2002. In the thick of the parliamentary debate over gay marriage, the Hidden Cameras descended on U of T’s Victoria College chapel with a surge of pipe organ, swoony strings and cheerleaders who led the crowd in choreographed dance moves to unleash their Let Coupledom Die spectacle. Something about the combo of collective ecstasy, penis pennants and topical timeliness, let loose within the stodgy institutional structure, felt downright magical — in the gayest sense of the word.
So it’s thrilling to hear that the Cameras are following their recent East Coast tour by returning to head Camera Joel Gibb’s old U of T stomping ground. This time, the show’s a belated benefit for World AIDS Day, touching down at the Hart House Great Hall tonight (Dec. 13). There’s more info on www.utsu.ca.
Gibb says playing the gorgeous Great Hall is a long-held dream, though it’s not the only campus venue he’d like to check off his list.
“There’s the Trinity College chapel,” he begins, calling from a van somewhere between Come-By-Chance and Dildo, NL. “It’s got fluorescent lights in place of stained-glass windows going down the nave, and it’s all white with Scandinavian furniture. Very Kubrickesque. There’s a tower leading up and sometimes you can sneak in.”
Gibb claims the Cameras have enough material for a record in the can, which may be ready next year. The orchestral pop ensemble will be previewing new material in their set, including “Ratify the New” which he describes as “a lot darker than anything we’ve done,” and which will open the show with full-tilt theatricality.
And hey, if you’ve been wondering what the eff is up with that pint-sized mall-punk Skye Sweetnam biting Gibb’s bit with her “Music Is My Boyfriend” single, check this out: they actually hail from the same hometown.
“She’s from Bolton, where my mom’s lived for years, and when I was telling my mom about the whole debacle, she was like, ‘Oh, that girl’s mother goes to my church. I’m going to have to ask her about it.’
“I mean, it’s not a coincidence,” snorts Gibb. “It’s not like some band in Arkansas or somewhere wrote a song called ‘Music Is My Boyfriend.’ She’s from the town I grew up in. All I have to say is music is my boyfriend — step off, honey! Well, I guess we can all share him.”
Psst…
Celebrate the most Fucked Up qualities of the season with a copy of the local hardcore crew’s spankin’ new “festive single.” The A-side is a tribute to spiritual leader David Eliade, while the B-side is a sprawling all-star collabo. The band launches the rekkid (proceeds go to the George Herman House) at Sonic Boom (512 Bloor W) Dec. 15 at 5pm. Bring non-perishable food items.