The Warped 45s Kick Off Blues After Party at Crocks

The Warped 45s

By Jeannie Dubois

Hailing from various ports of call in Southern Ontario, the Warped 45’s are a talented 5 piece band playing their last leg of a westward tour to promote their first full length album 10 Day Poems For Saskatchewan. In turns morose and soulful, blithe and hopeful, the boys laid down some very solid tracks for a busy Friday night crowd at the Office.

Not only was I impressed by their individual and collective musical acumen which often included swapping instruments between tracks, but in addition, cousins Dave and Ryan have cranked out some remarkably poetic lyrics.  With a definite bluegrass slant, Alex on bass and Hamal on drums back up Kevin kicking it out on the keyboards with the guitar and mandolin being passed helter skelter between Dave and Ryan.  Channelling the great white north and the deep south blues simultaneously, these guys brought to mind some musical greats including Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy, and Gord Downie.  Bang-on harmonies abounded, sweet little bridges snuck in and friendly banter and good energy kept the crowd captivated.

Featured on CBC programing and opening for headliners like Drive By Truckers, the 45’s are headed for a big break.  Until then, when queried about tour ‘lows’, singer/guitarist Ryan conceded touring was a break even operation, so get out and support the 45’s – buy some swag or better yet score their sweet album.  And with a band whose tour ‘high’ was bassist Alex basically dropping into a gig decked out in gold spandex via paragliding, the sky is the limit…

Check them out at www.warped45s.com.