The Weber Brothers are one of Canada’s best live bands, so I was disappointed they only had about a dozen people at the Slice for their first set of upbeat, original classic rock, Sadies style psych country music, July 20.

They began their energetic first set with a skintight version of  surf classic “Mirsirlou,” featuring Ryan Weber thumping out  a rhythm on a Beatles style bass. His brother Sam tore out a cornucopia of rockabilly style licks out of his big orange Gretsch while alternating with his brother for lead vocals.

They took the opportunity  introduce the rapacious audience to a variety of new songs off their upcoming CD.

Ryan Weber picked up his stand up bass to slap out a massive bass solo on one called “Do You Believe in Magic.” They played a little bit of rockabilly, a touch of country and a lot of rock and roll taking the audience back to the late ’60s and early ’70s.

The brothers and drummer Emmet “Corndog” VanEtten, sang impressive three part vocal harmonies. 

Corndog sang lead vocals on an impressive version of the Band’s “Makes No Difference.”

Throughout the show, keyboardist Shai “Cookie” Peer sweated up a storm as he was blur, bouncing up and down as his fingers flew across the keys of two keyboards.

They also played much of their latest CD “Left Right, Left Right” including the “title track” “Some People,” as well as several other highlights including “Take the Backroads,” and “Digging Up Dirt.”

They ended their second set around 1 a.m. with a sizzling version of “Spirit of Radio,” with Ryan Weber playing bass and singing all the high notes Geddy Lee ever did.
The audience called them back for an encore of the Beatles’ “Me and My Monkey.”