The Rent Boys are a Toronto band who are gaining quite a measure of popularity in Ottawa. This was their second gig here in three months. SOMETHING RED opened up for them and did a competent but rather lusterless set. They managed to get some of the crowd dancing but weren't emitting as much energy as they could have. If you haven't heard them before, they play a kind of soulful funk.

The RENT BOYS had the advantage of playing to a slightly larger audience and I think this helped to generate energy. They were really tight and crisp. Their stage presence was good but not as at ease as the last time I saw them. Their music is really great, very unique. Some of the songs are almost haunting. Some of the people I spoke to though, felt their music becomes redundant after a while. I guess it just depends on how much you like their style. Someone has just pointed out to me that the Rent Boys had no guitarist, to miss the observation they had to be pretty good and if you want to hear how unique their sound really is, you should buy their single at Wheels.