The Lovely Feathers – Green Room – Tuesday, December 1st
The boys, Matty Oppenheimer Jr., Daniel Leznoff, James Benjamin and Adam Feingold, really knew how to put on a lively performance. Kudos to James Benjamin for rocking the sole beard of the group! From hopping on and off the stage, getting the audience involved, and my favorite, they each took turns playing different instruments and singing. What an awesome idea- I must say I have never seen a band play “musical instruments” before (get it? Ha!). My only criticism was that the vocals weren’t quite loud enough and could barely be heard over their instruments. Other than that minor detail, I really give it up to these guys for owning the stage and putting on an entertaining and fun performance!
By 10:30 PM the whole place was packed. Plaid shirts and beer bottles filled the room as the next act prepared to take stage. Next up to perform was another Montreal band, Cotton Mouth. Three of the four band members are also in another up-and-coming Montreal trio called Parlovr and of the four band members, the band rocked two awesome beards and one impressive moustache, giving them a total of 3 beard points. This band has a unique sound of their own, incorporating awesome instrumentals and vocals from lead singer Martin Horn. People just couldn’t seem to help but bop their head and tap their feet to Cotton Mouth’s electro inspired rock tunes. Their upbeat songs and lively stage antics kept the crowd pumped and wanting more, but after an entertaining set, it was time for the main act of the night, The Lovely Feathers.
After a short pause, the main act of the night came on in what was their home-coming show after a short Canadian tour. When The Lovely Feathers took the stage the crowd immediately got into the performance. This is who they’ve been waiting for all night – and I can understand why. From the minute these guys started, it was non-stop energy until the very end. Lead singer Mark Kupfert, drummer Ted Suss, and keyboard player David Buzaglo had the top beards of the night, while bassist Mark Shortt rocked the classic goatee-moustache combo, making a grand total of 4 beard points. The band started off their set with an all time audience fave, “Frantic”, which got the crowd moving right from the get go. Things started to heat up as their stage fan broke by the third song and drummer Ted Suss’ shirt came flying off, along with some other clothing pieces. By the middle of their set, I don’t think there was one person in the venue sitting – everyone was up dancing and singing/shouting along to the songs. Singer and crazy guitarist Mark Kupfert (a younger, better looking version of Hugh Laurie) lead the rest of his band mates exceptionally well, without taking any breaks between songs. The Feathers’ group dynamic is quite inspiring, and you can really feel the passion that each band member puts into each song. These guys truly are music machines – not one beat was missed or even off cue, and what was even more electrifying about their lovely performance, was their complete passion and excitement about playing their songs for their fans. They played a couple of brand new songs that have yet to be recorded, and the crowd seemed really into them. But it was their classics “Photo Corners”, “Wrong Choice”, “Pope John Paul” and “In The Valley” that really got the crowd going. For their encore they asked the audience what they wanted to hear, and not surprisingly it was “Long Walks”, the catchy electro-rock number from their latest album, Fantasy of the Lot.
By the end of the night, fans and artists alike got their fill of awesome Montreal indie rock enlightenment, and left with some facial hair inspirations. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more beards being rocked at their next show. I think I will get started on mine now… kidding! – Sarah Touyz
The Breezes
Cotton Mouth
The Lovely Feathers
(Photography by Kenneth Suss)
