The Cars at the Sound Academy, Toronto May 20th 2011

Summer ... Turns me upside down.


Got out of work a little early on a beautiful friday to check out a new old act called The Cars. Headed down to the Sound Academy nee the Docks on public transit; perhaps a little incongrous with the spirit of "The Cars", a band from a different era.

The Cars debuted their self-titled album back in 1978 with producer Roy Thomas Baker (who had produced this little number a few years earlier). Their first album was a monster with great songwriting from Ric Ocasek (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass). It was arguably their best album until they switched producers (to Mutt Lange) for their 1984 hit album Heartbeat City. The band stopped releasing anything by the late 80s and sadly Benjamin Orr died in 2000.

Met up with Josh, his hombre Andrew and his fine lady at the Keating Channel pub, which scored some decent reviews on Yelp. Nice patio, close to a quiet stretch of brownish water, presumably the Keating Channel. A few small trees lined the patio with a bird-feeder distracting the resident red-wing blackbird.

The pub crowd was comprised mostly of concert-goers which validated Josh's prediction that we would be the youngest ones at this event. The demographic seemed to be mid 40s and up. Some of the patrons were clearly enjoying a "night out"; one which would get them back to the homefront by 11 due to the absence of an opening act. This is what happens when a band drops out of the game in the late 80s - no younger fans.

I had the curry chicken nachos which proved to me that two kinds of spicy - salsa and curry - can coexist amicably. Josh is contemplating the End of the World until he's distracted by a blonde in a viagra-blue mini skirt. Andrew and Co. arrive late and the food order gets delayed. We decide to head over for 8pm just in case.

The Sound Academy is filling up, a limited selection of Cars merch at the back. Managed to pick out this gem from the pre-gig music: the theme from taxi driver.

The crowd is showing its age. One fellow has his 2011 tour shirt hastily pulled over his sagging senior district manager body. Another matronly figure clears a spot on the floor for her and her husband, sans drink, clutching her General Audience ticket.

"This is life after 40" Josh laments. I glance up at the VIP lounge; definitely a better view of the stage but wonder if it's worth it.

It's 8:25, the lights dim and show starts with Let the Good Times Roll. Yes, it's the Cars. Ric Ocasek is as recognizable a figure as any from the 80s with black spiky hair, rigid posture and that sweet red and black Gibson SG. Elliot Easton takes the other wing with a white Gibson SG. Greg Hawkes starts out on the keyboards but would rotate out to cover bass duties for other songs.

Unfortunately, the sound in this venue leaves something to be desired. The levels are off particularly Ocasek's mic which is too quiet. There is no feedback throughout the concert, however the overall volume just doesn't impress.

Easton rips off the first lead guitar solo and the audience actually applauds. Somewhat old school.

Sure enough, Blue Tip makes it into the opening set just to underscore this isn't a reunion tour but a tour to plug their latest album Move Like This.

The crowd seems to be into it and they peel off My Best Friend's Girl to much delight before heading into another track off their latest album.

Ocasek gives a brief but classy tribute to Orr before lauching into Touch and Go. Josh is happy.

By the second half, I'm peering over the shoulder of a guy that looked like former WWE wrestler Tatanka who is shuffling side to side blocking the view of as many people as possible. If only the Macho Man were around (RIP), he'd handle that scene.

Elliot Easton was fantastic and fortunately his guitar sound made it through the muddled acoustics. Greg Hawkes was absolutely amazing managing both keyboards and bass and providing a nice bouncing counterpoint to Ocasek's stoic strumming.

A risky choice was I'm Not the One - a very nice but slow ballad which had a few ADD people glancing towards their cellphones. They followed this up with Sad Song. But the Cars know their audience.

Josh and I start to count all the hits they still have left wondering if they have time to squeeze them all in. We count five great tracks they could finish with.

They go off for a 5-minute break before returning with the encore - Moving in Stereo. Andrew is happy. I liked the visuals for this which had a close up panning loop of the top row of a keyboard.

Two more songs completed the encore and The Cars left the stage.

The house lights don't come on but we hear Johnny Cash on the PA system. I'm catatonic.

No Drive ....

No Shake It Up ....

No Magic ....

Heartbreak city.


Ok, we can forgive Drive - this was an Orr signature song. But I've got to say I was absolutely gutted they didn't play Magic. Hopefully they'll play it somewhere else on the tour and someone can post a clip.


Set List (credit: Andrew)

Let the Good Times Roll
Blue Tip
Since You're Gone
Up and Down
My Best Friend's Girl
Hits Me
Touch and Go
I'm in Touch With Your World
Keep On Knocking
You Might Think
Drag On Forever
Free
I'm Not the One
Sad Song
Heartbeat City
Let's Go
Encore:
Moving In Stereo
Just What I Needed
You're All I've Got Tonight