Photo: Leilah Vayid
It’s been 7 years since our good friends, and Toronto’s own, The Cheap Speakers hit the scene, and it’s all coming to an end on March 21st (say it ain’t so!). The band is calling it quits for good, but not before one last hurrah. They’ve already posted a heartfelt letter to all their fans and supporters thanking everyone who has helped them throughout the years. The Cheap Speakers are here on Friday March 21st for their final show, so come out and give them the Sneaky Dee’s sendoff (which includes copious amounts of beer and nachos).
For now here’s a little Q&A we did with the band; looking back on good times, the Toronto music scene, and of course their memories of Dee’s.
Q: This is your last show ever, what made you guys decide that this is it, and what is next?
A: We always had a “take it as far as it’ll go” attitude and it just seems like we’re there. Interpersonally, musically, it feels like the time. “Next” is supporting bands, friends like always.
Q: Why did you decide to play such a monumental show at Dee’s?
A: The sound’s great, awesome people working the board, and it’s a fun room. It’ll feel right, and that’s about all you can ask for when it’s your last one.
Q: What is your favourite part about Toronto’s music scene?
A: The huge variety of bands and influences. There’s nobody you have to sound like to “fit in”, you just do you.
Q: Which other local bands are you listening to right now?
A: The last Papermaps LP “Darker Lights” has been one crazy slow burn, so good. Also PUP’s massive breakout LP, we love those guys. Lots of Dilly Dally and Hollerado. With Beth In Battle Mode reuniting for our last show, their stuff’s been back in the rotation too.
Q: What was the best live performance you’ve seen at Dee’s?
A: It was during that righteous Beatles vs. Stones covers night a few years back. Carleigh Aikins was up there with the Balconies, everyone sweaty and letting completely loose, it was something else.
Q: If you had to pick any menu item, which would you say is your favourite?
A: When Nat and Brennan started the band, their Tuesday practices on Bathurst kicked off our half-price Dee’s fajita night tradition. We’d plan meetings around it, the band was literally powered by fajitas. But come last call, it’s King’s Crown all the way.
Q: What are you drinking to wash it down?
A: Pitcher of Buzz, round of Jameson.
Q: What’s the coolest thing you have ever done as a band?
A: For a couple years we’d contact a mix of bands playing CMW, some huge in TO, some with no profile at all, and do seamless DJ style mix tapes. Everything from singles barely even released that we’d have to clear with people’s managers to old demos from bands we still wished would break big. It ended up introducing us to amazing international acts that we met up with during the fest, we’re still pals now. We also once did a set in a gallery window for Nuit Blanche, and on our first tour we pulled gear out of the van at Peggy’s Cove and played to nobody out on the rocks.
Q: Best Sneaky Dee’s Memory?
A: Playing there in 2011 with Ketch Harbour Wolves for Papermaps’ debut LP release. That record’s kind of monumental for us, it’s a night we won’t forget.
Q: What do you think you’ll miss most about being in a band together?
A: The strange mix of personalities we had as a group, how strongly we supported Toronto’s music scene together. Being known as people who would go to the wall for the acts we backed. If we were rooting for you, you knew.
Thanks to The Cheap Speakers for seven great years. Make it out to the show, and why not grab the band a couple shots of Jameson. It’s going to be a great night!
Event Information:
Line-up
Baby Please - 9:40pm
Beth in Battle Mode - 10:25pm
The Cheap Speakers - 11:20pm
South of Bloor - 12:20pm
DJ Brank Oh!
$8
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1396177633976645/