Rye and Silence Live @ Bovine Sex Club April 5, 2012

by Jenny Beat
(Toronto)

For weeks, when the topic of hot new music came up in my circle of friends, the band Rye and Silence inevitably was mentioned. I downloaded a couple of their songs from Itunes- Look Into The Grey and Velvet Prison- and they quickly earned a place on my regular morning drive rotation.

I had never had the pleasure of attending a Rye and Silence live show, where I was told the band really shines. I was out of town on business when the band played the Horseshoe Tavern and Lee’s Palace, but a number of my colleagues were impressed enough to insist that I check them out at the Bovine Sex Club.

I was not disappointed.

Since this was the start of the Easter long weekend, the crowd, packed like sardines in the classic Toronto venue, were in full celebration mode. Both of the opening bands, Bonwit Teller and the Jaded Gentlemen, received warm receptions; however, it was apparent that the crowd was eagerly anticipating the band they paid to see- Rye and Silence.

Rye and Silence did not waste any time setting the tone for the evening diving right into the fast paced, “The Coolest Girl I’ve Known” without any introduction. Lead singer, Ryan Gabourie took the opportunity during the song’s bass solo to welcome the crowd and said that Toronto was “the best place for a warts-and-all rock band to play.”

The band continued into one of their fan-favorites..Velvet Prison. The crowd joined the band in singing the chorus “Oh will I ever be set free..Oh from velvet prison.” For the next 45 minutes, Rye and Silence delivered on all levels. Derek Rosebush, the bands drummer and Kyle Brodie, the bassist held down the beat perfectly, while guitarist Peter Goyer nailed a few fun solos- at one point taking advantage of his wireless system and soloing in the middle of the crowd!

Guitarist and vocalist, Ryan expertly interacted with the audience and often acknowledged some of the individual acts of craziness from the frenzied crowd who clearly came to rock.

As the crowd was bouncing to the band’s last song of the evening, “Look Into The Grey,” I realized two things- these guys really write great catchy songs that people love and they are inevitably going to make some waves in the music industry.

I really enjoyed this set and I look forward to Rye and Silence returning to Toronto.

Set List:

The Coolest Girl I’ve Known
Velvet Prison
As A Mass Becomes A Mob
Leap Of Faith
Descent Into Madness
I Choose You
I’m Still Smiling
May Only Have Today
My Latest Grudge
Inner Revolutionary
Forevermore (Whatever’s left of me is yours)
Look Into The Grey