Zeus: The new geek Gods
Like the Greek God after whom they are named, Toronto’s Zeus have developed a powerful cult-like following locally, largely due to their recent acceptance into this city’s – ok, this country’s – most renown indie label and home of Broken Social Scenester indie rock.
As Arts and Crafts’ latest signees and hopefuls, Zeus have packed the intimate Dakota Tavern every Wednesday this month alongside a family of Toronto-scene openers.
I decided to check out what the hype was all about, namely their gigs with albino labelmate Gentleman Reg, fresh off his gay-pride appearance in June, and friends/bandmate-sharers/local indie mainstays Golden Dogs the previous week.
It’s hard not to get swept up in the well-there’s-Jason-Collett-and-the-little-guy-from-Sloan-at-the-bar- and-oh-there’s-Kevin-Drew-nodding-his-head-at-the-back support they have, but Zeus honestly do rock, in a harmonic, Beatles organ-pop kind of way. They somehow legitimize the thick-glasses and handlebar moustaches permeating the room. I mean some things are cheesy but OK nonetheless, because they are classic – their cover of Genesis’ “That’s all,” for example.
Their just-released first EP, Sounds Like Zeus, is out now and has garnered some praise from Now and the Torontoist.
They’ll be on tour with Cuff the Duke this September, but if you want to catch their last show at Dakota this Wednesday, arrive before 10 p.m., or get on the guestlist somehow, or prepare to line up for a half-hour. Trust me, you can’t charm your way past the door guy. As friendly as he is, it’s his job to protect the all-mighty worshipped from too many over-zealous hipsters, I suppose.
