Big Wreck, Daniel Greaves & Texas King
December 22, 2023
History, Toronto, ON
I ushered in the Holidays with Daniel Greaves from The Watchman, Texas King, and Big Wreck, at History in Toronto on December 22. Briskly gathering outside Live Nation’s newest Live Music Venue, History in East Toronto, home to frontman Ian Thornely from Big Wreck).
The same line-up to the July Horseshoe Tavern show last year, which happened to be Ian Thornley’s Birthday. I knew we were in for an amazing evening. Alternative Rock was billowing around History, from the moment Daniel took to the Piano, with each artist displaying reaching rock calls, and melodic musicianship.
Daniel Greaves: From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Daniel Fronts the Alternative band The Watchmen, who have several Juno Nominations, and music awards. Greaves showcased an acoustic set of originals and 1990’s Watchmen classics. With a voice and tone, similar to a more rock version of James Taylor, you get taken away to a soothing soundscape, and drawn into the lyrics’ story. There’s definitely a clear and easy to listen to, quality to Greave’s voice. For those that love music, life really can be listened to in Stereo.
Texas King: Formed in 2012 in London, Ontario, frontman and lead singer, Jordan MacDonald, soon grew to be a four-piece band with Colin Gray as lead guitarist and backup vocalist, Phil Spina on bass, and Rob Shipway on drums.
With a little grit and gravel in Jordan’s voice, smooth harmonies, feel-good tone, bopping, and dancing around the stage, these gents are sure to get you up dancing. Just like their song Boomerang, their sound will emanate around the room, captivating the audience, and have them dancing in the streets.
Big Wreck: Canadian-American rock band that was formed by Ian Thornley and Brian Doherty in Boston, Massachusetts in 1992, has been an underappreciated force in Alternative music. Even with their split in 2002, Ian Thornely (Thornley –band-) still practiced and honed his guitar craft, until Big Wreck thankfully reformed again in 2010. I was able to see Big Wreck for the first time, live at The Rebel in 2018, where I was brought back to the nostalgia of 90’s and began my appreciation of their musicianship.
In 2021, the same year that History Toronto opened, Big Wreck ripped up the stage with their larger-than-life sound.
Big Wreck is fond of the Suhr brand of Equipment, and frequently plays at the Suhr Factory Parties. They now have Suhr amps and large monitor stacks behind them, showing how comfortable they are with projecting their big sound.
Despite feeling under the weather, Ian still gave us his epic Rock Yell, and Guitar Solo heaven standard of performance. You are truly missing out if you have never heard them live, you’ll miss that song you’ve been craving to hear, and be blown wide open with guitar, bass, and drumming skills.
Be sure to check out their new EP Pages released November 24, 2023.
Earning a larger venue status, you can catch them with Finger Eleven, and Creed on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 at Budweiser Stage.
History displayed a concert that highlighted each artist’s abilities, each shouting each other out, and the ebb and flow of musical storytelling.
If you happen to see this stellar line-up of musicians, be sure to do yourself a favour and grab a ticket!
P.S.: Santa hats are all the rage with Bassists!
