Planet Smashers 20th Anniversary Tour Hits Ottawa
The Planet Smashers whipped Mavericks into a storm of skanking madness as their 20th anniversary tour hit Ottawa April 25.
I have seen the Canadian kings of ska several times before, but I knew this show would be extra special when they opened with one of my favourite songs, “Fabricated,” and there was a beach ball being lobbed around as everyone danced. It must be quite a challenge to assemble a set list after two decades of song writing, but The Planet Smashers nailed. Playing crowd favourites like “Life of the Party,” “Blind,” “Surfing in Tofino,” and “Pee in the Elevator,” it seemed like every person in attendance was singing or dancing or both. They also played another one of my favourites, one not often played live – “J’aime ta femme.” With sweat pouring off everyone’s bodies on the dance floor and the set winding down, I couldn’t figure out what they had left to play for us after delivering so many great tunes. Well, I should have known these guys would have a trick or two left up their sleeves.
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They played “You Might Be,” which Matt said they had never played in Ottawa before. Then they played the party anthems “Raise Your Glass” and “Super Orgy Porno Party.” They could have ended the show there and I would have been very content, but that’s not their style. They have to blow you away, and they most certainly did, by covering one the greatest ska band of all time – The Specials with “Nite Klub,” followed by their own “Sk8 or Die.” I think I speak for everyone there when I say, “please never stop Planet Smashers and see you on your 30th and 40th anniversary tours!”
What do you do when you are the only non-ska band on a ska bill? When you are The Scally Cap Brats, you open with the thunderous “Whiskey, Beer and Cider.” Then you follow-up by telling the crowd that “I am sure you can you tell we are not a ska band, we will get back to your regularly programmed ska music in twenty minutes or so.” These celtic punk rockers are from Ottawa, but they do it so well you would think they were from Boston. They played some rocking tunes like “Halifax Way,” “Yankee Tim” and “Drink Drank Drunk.” They then finished up with a couple of sweet covers, Cock Sparrer’s “Boots of Mine” and “Skinheads on the MBTA” by The Dropkick Murphys. They might not be ska, but I really like The Scally Cap Brats and they certainly bring the Oi!
The Cardboard Crowns are quickly becoming one of Ottawa’s hottest commodities, and you don’t have to tell that to all the people who were wearing homemade crowns at the show. The Big Money Shot winners play up-stroke ska-esque rock and do it very well. One thing is for sure, the crowd loved them as they danced and sang-a-long like they were the headliner. Their drummer Tokyo must have ants in his pants or something as he spends almost as much time standing up, running around, and messing about in front of the stage than he does playing and I think it is pretty sweet. It certainly adds an extra dynamic. The band played their new single “Hats Off,” as well as a really fun version of the Robin Hood theme song with a whistle intro, and closed out the set with their big hit, “Local Citizen.” These guys are truly a local band I can get behind and really wish them much success.
Suits ‘n Toques are sadly the only pure ska band I know of in Ottawa. On the plus side, they kick ass and put on a great show. Funny enough the lead singer and trombone player Chris Ferrante looks like a member of my favourite Ottawa ska band of all time, The Rude Dudes. They played awesome originals, “3:03” and “You Don’t Know,” that had many people dancing for the opener (always a good sign) as well as a sweet cover of the Mad Caddies. They concluded their set with a trombone beer bong, done by The Cardboard Crowns’ drummer Tokyo Speirs.