Live music picks for THURSDAY JULY 30 through TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2009

THURSDAY JULY 30 / THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE / HORSESHOE / 370 QUEEN ST W / $12 / 9PM / 19+
Toronto-based indie rockers THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE have just released their debut full-length "Hometowns" on the prominent mid-west label Saddle Creek Records, and are sure to bring out a crowd, along with the utterly charming indie-pop crew HOODED FANG and THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA.
www.myspace.com/theraa
www.myspace.com/hoodedfang
www.myspace.com/thewildernessofmanitoba

THURSDAY JULY 30 / THE MAIN THING / GLADSTONE HOTEL BALLROOM / 1214 QUEEN ST W / $10 / 10PM / 19+
THE MAIN THING are after one thing: to become THE band of choice for live Funk and Soul music in Toronto. Playing classic cuts and groovy originals, the seven-piece group is occasionally joined by vocalist BARBARA MAMABOLO for some extra spice.
www.myspace.com/mainthingband

THURSDAY JULY 30 / BOB WISEMAN / GLADSTONE HOTEL MELODY BAR / 1214 QUEEN ST W / FREE / 9PM / 19+
BOB WISEMAN has always been a strange figure on the Toronto music scene, never content to write simple "singer-songwriter" music but definitely a modern day folk hero, with a creative ambition that has recently seen him making Super 8 films which he accompanies live. He has worked in various capacities with FINAL FANTASY, SCOTT THOMPSON of KIDS IN THE HALL, BLUE RODEO, RON SEXSMITH and THE HIDDEN CAMERAS, and has created a remarkable body of work on which to draw upon.
www.myspace.com/bobwiseman

FRIDAY JULY 31 / LA ROUX / EL MOCAMBO (464 SPADINA AVE) / $12 / 19+
The UK's indie synth-pop duo LA ROUX are rapidly rising to the top, with their 2009 self-titled debut album nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, and performances at some of the biggest festivals in the world this summer. Their 80's-influenced sound is certainly anything but original, but they do it well - so well that it might actually top the original that bands like THE HUMAN LEAGUE popularized all those years ago.
www.myspace.com/larouxuk

FRIDAY JULY 31 / NIRVANA THE BAND / THE RIVOLI (332 QUEEN ST W) / 19+
NIRVANA THE BAND THE SHOW (no relation to that other similarly named band...) is a web based sitcom created by and starring Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol, documenting their attempts to get their band a show at Toronto's Rivoli nightclub. The show is a fantastic example of how much you can do with no budget and one good idea - these guys are doing what every 20-something slacker wishes they had the motivation for, and now they've finally got their big moment in the spotlight. Don't miss it!
www.nirvanathebandtheshow.com/

SUNDAY AUGUST 2 / EAGLES OF DEATH METAL / KOOL HAUS (132 QUEENS QUAY E) / $29 / ALL AGES
EAGLES OF DEATH METAL may have started out as a joke between QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE frontman JOSH HOMME and childhood friend JESSE HUGHES, both sharing a love for campy, retro-boogie cock rock, but now the band is able to fill massive venues and entertain thousands with their ridiculously fun, super-sexed up party tunes. SPINAL TAP ain't got nothin' on these guys.
www.myspace.com/eaglesofdeathmetal

SUNDAY AUGUST 2 / INFECTED MUSHROOM / GUVERNMENT / 132 QUEENS QUAY E / $15 / 10pm
Israeli duo INFECTED MUSHROOM are the world's most prominent purveyors of "Psi-Trance", a style of electronic music known for it's aggressive, uptempo beats, oscillating synths and long, flowing song structures that is sure to leave audiences dazed and confused. In recent years they have transcended the genre themselves, exploring a more experimental side.
www.myspace.com/infectedmushroomcentral

SUNDAY AUGUST 2 / WAVELENGTH 474 / SNEAKY DEE'S / 431 COLLEGE ST / PWYC / 9PM / 19+
Toronto's iconic music series continues with performances from theatrical jazz/cabaret singer ALLIE HUGHES, Montreal's classical/electronic fusion group THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, and indie-pop/rockers GINGER & IRENE.
www.myspace.com/alliehughes
www.myspace.com/valleyoftheshadowofdeathband
www.myspace.com/gingerandirene

TUESDAY AUGUST 4 / FLEET FOXES / MASSEY HALL / 60 SIMCOE ST / $32.50-$39 / ALL AGES / 7PM
FLEET FOXES have become one of 2008/2009's biggest success stories, with their stunning, heartfelt vocal harmonies similar to THE BEACH BOYS or CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG earning near-universal acclaim and a prestigious headlining gig at Massey Hall.
www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

TUESDAY AUGUST 4 / YEAH YEAH YEAHS / KOOL HAUS / 132 QUEEN'S QUAY E / $32.50 / 8PM / ALL AGES
Since 2001 the YEAH YEAH YEAHS have taken their art-punk sound from Brooklyn loft parties to sold-out world tours, with their latest album, 2009's "It's Blitz" seeing the band moving even further into their newfound status as rock icons, singer KAREN O's magnetic stage presence and enthusiasm earning her recognition as a modern punk heroine.
www.myspace.com/yeahyeahyeahs

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Photo by Sevennine on Flickr