The Dirty, The Filthy and The Nasty
A while ago here on the j-dub I told you all how listening to the music of the band Rare Earth would make you more excellent. Well, tonight I realized there’s a second band that also falls under that category.
Sunday night I finally got the chance to go see a band I’ve been meaning to see again since catching them briefly on New Years Eve. The Toledo Show isn’t an easy band to describe. This band is like something out of a 1920s speakeasy with burlesque dancers, but updated with a contemporary beat and feel. The band is one part music, one part show and one part sex. In fact, the lead singer, Toledo, is the living embodiment of the orgasmic finish of a good night’s worth of sex. It’s not easy describing their sound since it’s so very unique, but I think the best way to put it would be to say it’s like traveling back in time to an era when Jazz thrived as the most popular form of musical entertainment, back when it was still wildly experimental. Throw a bit of extra soul and funk into the mix, then bring it into the 21st century with modern beats and a little bit of DJ magic and you’ve got the Toledo Show.
And as good as the music is, the show itself is just as impressive. Really, Toledo is so cool and so filled with sex appeal that he makes it hard for every other man that walks terra firma. He’s joined by a handful of burlesque dancers who bring the thickness of the sex that permeates Harvelle’s bar in Santa Monica to a palpable level. The back lighting, plentiful smoke (both machine and man made) and an original sense of style (Fedora and all) combine to make a presentation that feels almost like a series of still pictures come alive.
The show is so good the normally stuck up Santa Monica crowd was friendly and energetic. The dancing to the Toledo Show began early as couples enjoyed both the show and each other with great passion. Although, it had an opposite effect for me, I guess. This one very beautiful woman randomly tapped my shoulder to tell me how much she liked my shirt, but I was so mesmerized by the show I kind of blew her off with a dismissive look. She did it again, not catching my first response, but my second reaction wasn’t much better. The music had me at that point. Sorry pretty lady.
After the first part of the show had ended I sat in the booth while my friend Tracy sat on a chair on the aisle side of the table. A man in his late 40s, early 50s approached me, got close to my ear and asked, “Is that woman your lady?” I looked at him, saw that Tracy would have absolutely no interest in this man, so I played the role of cock blocker to deflect the man from Tracy and responded in the affirmative. He said, “Well, you’re a very lucky man. And I’m glad I asked you first because you look big enough to easily kick my ass.” I shook the man’s hand, he was off, and shared the story with Tracy. We had a good laugh. Oh, and I could have kicked his ass, although I wouldn’t have. He should have gone for it. A whole different kind of laugh would have been had.
If you live in Los Angeles, treat yourself on a Sunday night and check out The Toledo Show at Harvelles. I’d recommend getting there around 9:00 to get a good seat up front. It gets crowded quickly and it’s worth being able to see everything. It’s only $7 and well worth it.
