There’s a reason Canadian classic rockers Honeymoon Suite can pack a room, even on a Sunday night.
Average Joes was standing room only, Sunday, Feb. 19 for an array of the Ontario band’s many ’80s hits.
Honeymoon suite, including all of their original members ( Johnnie Dee, Derry Grehan, Gary Lalonde, Dave Betts, Peter Nunn) rocked the joint with the sounds of the ’80s.
They started on a heavier note with “Wounded” which immediately got the enthusiastic crowd singing along. They have aged really well, looking young and fit and sounding as tight as a band who has been together for over 30 years, should sound.
Lead guitarist Derry Grehan was a highlight, playing catchy riffs and well crafted solos featuring vintage ’70s/ ’80s two handed fretboard tapping which fit perfectly in the song.
Frontman Johny Dee still showed a powerful, melodic voice with some impressive high notes as well as handling rhythm guitar. Guitar malfunctions and broken strings were handled with aplomb as Dee‘d trade guitars mid song to one of the guitar techs.
“Stay In the Light,” was an immediate singalong highlight.
They whole show was full of sing along choruses, and catchy riffs and some intricate yet subtle fretboard tapping from Derry Grehan.
“Lethal Weapon” was a slower moment and a highlight. One of my absolute favourites “ Wave Babies,” was one of several songs where they just stepped back and let the crowd sing.
Everybody got to solo, showing their own individual musical prowess. Grehan added a few bars of Van Halen’s “Eruption” to his solo set. After that, they moved smoothly into “Bad Attitude.”
They wound things down with a sizzling version of “ New Girl Now.”
As expected Honeymoon Suite hit all of the band’s big ’80s hits I missed a surprise opening set from local ’90s rock band Uncovered.
but I was just in time for a Suzie and the Homewreckers, a local band I haven’t seen play in a while.
They included new drummer Tony Arsenault , backstopping an array of hits from Blondie to the Misfits and everything in between.
Some of those included “One Way or Another,”“99 Red Balloons” and the Misfits’ “Mother.
They also included a few originals which had a ’90s alternative rock feel including bands like No Doubt and Garbage.
They counterbalanced pop music with heavier songs like Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.”
