review by Robert Scalia, photos by Laroka

Maybe it was the cafeteria-style tables that did it. But there was a definite High School Variety Show vibe happening at Clyde’s on this particular Saturday night.

The muddy sound system was a factor. And if the Rubik’s Cube disco ball flashing incessantly over the stage wasn’t distracting enough, there was the fact that The Kingdom Sample and Sunman’s shared members seemed to appear, disappear and switch instruments with almost every song.

Then again, maybe this musical experiment was just what the doctor ordered. Though they may have been uncomfortably silent at first, the crowd was literally begging and screaming for more when it was all said and done.

The Kingdom Sample got things rolling with their contagious ode to marijuana, The Nuns, before settling into Bob Dylan’s Masters of War and several newer tunes. Although energetic on stage, guitarist Sam Lariccia, bassist David Massé and drummer Sonny Credali had a difficult time keeping the crowd interested.

But with the changing of the guards came renewed vigour.

Now playing the lead role, Sonny commanded the 75 or so of us to attention, his shy demeanor between songs overpowered by a passion and stage energy reminiscent of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.

His scratchy tenor pierced through the snappy drums (Max Di Quinzio), funky bass (David Franchini) and distorted guitar riffs (Angelo Perrotta) of Never and sat well over the soft piano and flute-like soundscape (courtesy of newcomers Johnny Randisi and Alex Klimantiris) in The Biggest Mistake of Your Life,

Sunman also showed some musical guts for a fairly new band, weaving between punk rock, swing and acappella in Better Days before closing off a rather short set with their radio-friendly Search the Ground.

Sonny’s attempt to placate screaming fans with an invitation to the band’s next West Island rendez-vous failed. So the band returned to the stage for a 15-minute free jam that included – wait for it - “something for the Metal heads.”

Now how’s that for a variety?

Sunman, The Kingdom Sample and Kamikaze Baby will play Clyde’s on Thursday, February 24.

For more info on Sunman and The Kingdom Sample, please visit the following websites:

www.sunmanmusic.com

www.myspace.com/thekingdomsample