Econoline Crush & Friends Crush Toronto in an All Canadian Attack!

jaybroderick
16 minutes ago
5 min read

By: Jay Broderick

Toronto, Ontario - Before doors even opened for the Econoline Crush show, the vibe was already electric. Out front of Lee’s Palace, I found myself chatting with a couple of early fans about the joys of live music, and sharing personal experiences from the shows of yesterday. That anticipation carried inside, even with the late start. With four bands on the bill tonight, a 7:00 pm start would be typical, but tonight the first wouldn’t hit the stage until 8:00 p.m. This left each of the supporting acts with a limited, tight, 30‑minute set.

Wasting Time

Toronto’s own melodic punks Wasting Time, did just the opposite in their opening slot. At exactly 8:00, they piled onto the stage and launched into a furious three‑song sprint. Guitarist Mark Bedross and bassist Mike Quan were in constant motion, jumping, kicking, and raising their instruments skyward, feeding off the early crowd’s energy.

After the third track, the band's frontman Vlad "Mad Vlad" Bojco grinned, “Wow, what a nice crowd,” before introducing their new cut "Ripped Blue Jeans". On their second‑last track "Mom", about the struggle of getting out of bed, the singer urged the audience to join in with “Woah Ohs.” The room responded in perfect time, with one fan never stopping her pogo‑jumping for the entire set. Short, sharp, and unforgettable, Wasting Time made every second count.

Sweet Utopia

By the time Oakville’s Sweet Utopia stormed the stage, the Palace had started to fill up. The band's frontman Justin Kaniewski came leaping out as the first track kicked in, embodying pure rock and roll swagger, very reminiscent of Mick Jagger mixed with heavy vibes of the late Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di'Anno. I'll say, not the greatest vocalist I've come across, still early in his craft, but Kaniewski's unwavering tone, became a striking centrepiece, almost trance‑like against the rocking chaos of guitars and drums. By the third song of their set, they were tearing through Rage Against the Machine's "Bulls on Parade" as Kaniewski urged fans to push closer to the stage.

A poignant moment came when guitarist Rafe Hamer dedicated their fifth track to Stone Roses bassist Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, who had passed away earlier that day. The slower tempo had the crowd swaying, arms raised side to side. During songs, the band interacted with fans like seasoned pros, throwing t‑shirts into the crowd and keeping the energy high despite the cramped five‑piece, (including bassist Tommy G., guitarist Seamus Simone, and drummer Tyler Whiteside) setup on Lee’s small stage.

The audience was completely locked in, dancing, head‑banging, shaking. Around me, fans murmured, “They were really good!” I had to agree... the guys rocked hard! They have the sound, they have the look, and they have the swagger that all great rock and roll bands ooze. Sweet Utopia may just have stolen the show! They're certainly a band that has the makings of something special. Will they break through? There is no reason why they shouldn't. If you want to get a glimpse of these rockers, they've got a benefit show at Moonshine Cafe in Oakville on December 26th, and their brand new single "Heatslide" set to drop on December 12th.

Sticks N Stones

Stick N Stones perform live at Lee's Palace. Photo By: Jay Broderick

For me, this set was long overdue. I’d first seen Sticks N Stones open up for John 5 back in 2022, and had been waiting for the stars to align ever since. While the band has played their fair share of shows in the Toronto area and beyond, the timing just never worked out... until tonight.

Before the show, I caught up with guitarist/vocalist Nick Lisanti, who shared details about the band's new studio and the upcoming release of their new song "Saviour" that was set to drop at midnight that night. But once the curtain call rang out (and true to form), the band hit the stage guns-a-blazing, with a polished sound and commanding presence. Each member contributed vocals, while Luke Vasilakos exuded effortless cool... but hey, he IS the bassist! And we all know my thoughts on that!

Lisanti (frontman Nick, not to be confused with brother Robert behind the kit) demanded more from the crowd ahead of "Feel Again", and the response was deafening. When they debuted "Saviour", its heavy groove and Nick’s dynamic range proved why this band deserves a bigger stage. Fans shouted “We love you!” and even called for an encore. Sticks N Stones left no doubt, they’re ready for the big time!!

Econoline Crush

Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Canadian alt‑rock was thriving... Nickelback, Sum 41, Default, The Trews... they are all bands I fell heavy on as my musical tastes started to shift away from my beloved heavy metal. Among them was a band based out of Vancouver, BC called Econoline Crush. These guys stood out with their industrial edge, and tonight at Lee’s Palace, they reminded us why.

The band exploded onto the stage with vocalist Trevor Hurst front and centre, jumping around and leaning into fans’ cell phones in the front row. Immediately, it's easy to see the love the band has for the fans and their love of the music. “Man, it’s good to be back at Lee’s Palace!” he shouted, before sharing stories of Las Vegas over the past year where they recorded their new song "New Gold Magic" to which the band rolled into.

From "No Quitter" to "Get Out of the Way", the band never stopped moving, making it a challenge to photograph, but thrilling to watch. When Hurst introduced the lineup, he said it with pride. Bassist Troy Zak, guitarist Graham Tuson, drummer Dayvid Swart, all from different parts of Canada, all converging in Toronto. The band then launched into the leadoff track from my favourite Crush album The Devil You Know, a song called "Surefire". Hurst fist‑bumped a fan in the front row and danced across the stage, completely locked in.

Trevor Hurst performs live in Toronto. Photo By: Jay Broderick

The set rolled on with "Dirty" and more, each track delivered with urgency. Trevor Hurst paused only for a moment to thank the openers and speak about his work in mental health, urging the crowd to reach out to those in need. Dedicating fan favourite track "Sparkle and Shine" to Blind Melon singer Shannon Hoon was a heartfelt highlight.

Fans sang, danced, and smiled all night. The finale was uniquely Toronto... The band invited a fan from the front row (the same fan by the Instagram moniker @mrscottfraser whom I had spoken with before doors), to snap a photo of the band with the crowd behind them. A perfect keepsake and another story to add to his memory bank, this one I'm sure never to be forgotten.

Some bands are simply better live. Econoline Crush is one of them!

As I stepped out into the cool November night, Bloor Street was buzzing. Toronto’s music scene had once again proven its vitality, with Econoline Crush reminding us why live performance is irreplaceable.

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