I actually heard them for the first time by accident. I had gone to The Rivoli about nine months ago to catch The Nines, playing a support slot, with a friend who was a recent convert. We listened, we watched, we had beer left - which meant sticking around for these Supers guys (whoever the heck they were) for at least a song or two. We all admitted to being dead tired from a long week, and were actually now kind of anxious to get to our respective homes. Then the band came on. Needless to say, we stayed to the end.

Over the next few months, I picked up The Supers CD, told friends about them, answered questions people emailed me about them, and made a point of seeing them every chance I could. Why? Because their songs somehow wrangle their way into your psyche and, as The Borg would say, resistance is futile.

The Supers take advantage of the live "experience" and March 10th at The Rivoli was no exception. The strengths are indeed numerous. Few bands can boast two vocalists as strong as bassist Maury Lafoy and guitarist Graham Powell, with Powell possessing a voice meant for pop while Lafoy can belt it out like the rockabilly star that he looks like. Drummer Jeffrey MacPerson recognizes what being a power pop drummer is about - and that is to hit the damn skins with as much muscle as you can muster (a "hitter" in other words - The Knack's former drummer Bruce Gary comes to mind at times). Then there's lead guitarist Tim Bovaconti - simply one of the most tasteful and dazzling string-benders around. That just leaves the songs. Ah yes, the songs...

The live treatments of the band's lighter material soars in a live setting. I Don't Wanna Sleep, 1 + 1 = 3, and the solemn Even Fools come off as passionate as they should. On the other side of the coin, the band's wilder side is accentuated mostly by Bovaconti's soloing and MacPherson's pounding the - no - tortuting the skins. They set songs like Turn and Fall soaring.

This is a fantastic live band, friends. Hopefully, those outside the Toronto area will find that out on their own during what is sure to be an industrious career. Until then, they can count on at least seeing my mug at every show. After the response at The Rivoli, though, it would appear that I'm not the only one who feels that way!