(andPOP) - They're brash, bold, pretentious and are the newest sound of indie rock to hit the torpid Toronto rock scene in the past decade. With their infamous brown blazers quickly becoming a staple around Toronto nightclubs everywhere, The Cunninghams' unique confluence of Indie and Classic rock, have taken Toronto's clichéd music scene to a whole new level and have brought with them the attitude and confidence to boot.
Already dubbed "The first family of rock and roll," Nigel, Pierce, Clapsbury and Regibald have proven their prolific songwriting abilities to be a much needed breath of fresh air to the stale and often contrived cacophonies permeating Toronto's airwaves.
"I Am Nothing," a thunderous rocker with its blistering intro and soulful lyrics, pays homage to The Strokes and their sound that could be heard in CD players and I-Pods everywhere in the former part of the decade; while the infectious "Black & White" echoes the heartfelt sentiments and riff-driven melodies reminiscent of Coldplay's "Talk" from their landmark 2005 "X&Y" LP.
Songs such as "Shot Through a Postcard" "Baby, Baby, Baby" & "Keep Moving Like a Butterfly" are a triumvirate of blistering rockers that according to one recent Cunninghams Concert goer: "Will hit you like a heart attack and scare the living daylights outta you!"
However, The first family has also shown their softer side on ballads such as, "Tonight You're a Star," "Hey Virginia" and have paid tribute to renowned artists Bob Dylan and Carlos Santana in "The Ballad of Bobby Bright" and the aptly named, "Tribute to Carlos."
Although their inimitable songwriting abilities have caught the ears of Toronto's listeners, it is their infamous live performances in Clubs all around the Toronto Landscape that have had audiences pleading for more. Often wowing audiences for up to an hour and a half at a time and belting out as many as 15 or 16 songs in any given concert, there has yet to be a live act with as much passion and energy in their live shows since a young Bruce Springsteen took the world by storm in 1975. The Cunninghams eclectic mix of rockers, ballads and unrivaled stage presence makes any live performance by these ostentatious four lads one that simply should not be missed.
These four lads from Toronto are also the recent winners of the first ever Mazda Muzik tour competition in which the winning band, as chosen by the fans, garnered an opportunity to open for Canadian rocker Sam Roberts at a free concert in the winning band's hometown. Via online voting, The Cunninghams were obtained the most votes from fans from all across Canada and as well as a battle of the bands which took place on March 19th, 2008 at the Ram and the Rye pub at Ryerson University. The concert will be held Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at the Opera House in Toronto with the Cunninghams taking the stage promptly at 9:15 P.M; a show that should not be missed!
Entering the studio in the spring of 2008 to record their debut EP, the music world is waiting with baited breath and an unparalleled anticipation not witnessed since Oasis' Definitely Maybe captured the world by storm in the summer of 1994. Quite simply, a resurgence is long overdue to awaken the catatonic and often insipid Toronto Indie scene and it is ever apparent that these four blazer-clad rockers are here to deliver a knock-out punch.
Long live the first Family of Rock and Roll!!
All pertinent information and liver performances regarding The Cunninghams can be found at:
www.thecunninghamsband.com
For info on how you can attend the Sam Roberts/Cunninghams concert this Tuesday, visit
www.mazdamuziktour.ca
