Inspired, punk-tinted pop was the name of the game at the Drake Underground Friday night, which saw The Lovely Feathers - supported by fellow Montreal comrades Telefauna and Duchess Says - care of PopMontreal, Dose and Over The Top.

The quintet has been turning heads and gratifying ears since 2004, but it wasn't until recent opening duties for Metric on their fall '05 tour that audiences really started to take note. Fast forward through a stint at SXSW and a hot new album, Hind Hind Legs on Equator, and welcome to a band on the cusp of the big time.

The humble outfit, however, doesn't buy it. "We didn't expect to be at this point. We're still nothing," sheepishly offers guitarist and vocalist Mark Kupfert post-show Friday night. Nothing? Uh huh…you keep telling yourself that, dear. This next year will prove you wrong.

The band's capricious melodies and erratic tempos, coupled with lyrics of the smart aleck variety, surprise and delight. Their charm is largely derived from their unpredictability. Earnest and brooding one minute, then charging and frenzied the next, the Feathers are equally comfortable wringing out lush, evocative ballads as they are beating brazen punk ditties.

To describe Kupfert's stage presence as arresting is an understatement. As he howls and croons his way through the Feathers' sweetly quirky repertoire, his body contorts, marches and writhes under their music's potent spell. Richard Yanofsky shares vocal duties and the two play off each other beautifully.

Missed out? Not to worry. The Lovely Feathers return to TO in a mere one month's time. With Spinto Band in tow, the band touches down at El Mocambo on June 6. How lovely indeed.

Though I took many a picture Friday night on my digital camera, the one posted is courtesy of the band's site. Cuz my roommate's outta town and I'm technologically inept. Sorry for being lame.