the exchanges

Running out of room: The Exchanges, North of America and Dog Day take over University Avenue air space by Melissa Ray. It only makes sense to begin where the night began and end where the night ended. So we shall. Here is my journey through three bands, increasing deafness and a whole lot of unexpected fun.

Making their way to Windsor from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dog Day and North of America took to the stage, warming up fans for Toronto headliners, The Exchanges.

EDIT

Closing out the night were The Exchanges, a couple of cats from Toronto that proved to be more than a pleasant surprise. Despite resent appearances on the Windsor music scene I will admittedly say that I had not heard of them before their showing at Phog Lounge on Friday, October 8. This being said, I will make a point of seeing them again should they ever play Windsor again. In case you missed it, yes, they are this good.

The Exchanges also known as Andrew DeVillers (guitar/vocals) and Rob Balon (drums,) broke out into the University Ave. air space with upbeat and fast paced song after upbeat and fast paced song.

Snappy drum kicks and quick biting vocals ruled the show. DeVillers sang with passion and conviction into the microphone as Balon beat two small snares into submission with a series of lightning quick wrist breaks.

With a sound very similar to Detroit natives, The Burning Brides, The Exchanges, channeled their vigor into a wonderfully charged show. My only complaint was the audience, who kept sneaking off during the set. While I understand sleepiness and time, my heart went out to these guys who drove four hours to play for an evaporating group of bar goers.

Towards the end of their performance a group effort called out to the crowd. “Shall we all go down that road together?” DeVillers beckons this excitedly from behind the microphone.

Fisting.

“If you have a fist you should use it.” At this moment the entire bar is called to arms, as they are encouraged to throw their fists into the air in a rapid thrusting motion. We all comply but feel suspiciously foolish in the process.

The evening closed out with The Exchanges still on stage taking requests. Encouraging a small, but uncommon dance floor in the middle of the bar. I was tempted to join in the fun but by 2:30am I was beat and ready for bed.

The music continued to follow me as I walked down University Ave. to my car. The songs carried through the streets like the ghost of a concert past.

No air space was safe, but for Dog Day, North of America and The Exchanges that is the mark of a venue well used.

For more information about Dog Day or The Exchanges look to their websites, located online at http://www.dogdaymusic.com and http://www.theexchanges.ca
- The Lance (University of Windsor Student Newspaper)

From their press release: The Exchanges, following a short hiatus (no reason given on the release) have added a member (wait, that might have something to do with it) and grown 33 per cent louder (they could probably have just turned up the volume for that). For more info on the band, check out their website.

A tour you can't Exchange:

October 05 Peterborough, ON @ The Trasheria (opening for The Marble Index)
October 06 Hamilton, ON @ The Underground
October 07 Windsor, ON @ Phog Lounge
October 08 Toronto, ON @ O'Grady's
October 09 Kitchener, ON @ The Circus Room http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2005/09/0702.cfm - Chart Magazine Online

THE EXCHANGES

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The Exchanges Sans Records

Debut EP by local heavy guitar/drums duo treads fairly familiar territory, yet there is no denying the passion: on "Tell a Friend," Andrew DeVillers belts at internal organ-endangering levels. The desperate wails on "Remedy" and "All Day Wants" are also formidable, and would probably make the hardest-core Republican score pity junk for Keith Richards. "Maria" ends the disc in a slightly less harrowing manner (kinda like Glenn Danzig-meets-Bruce Springsteen) . One can only imagine the effects that a full-length Exchanges disc would have on one's psyche. CHRIS ROLFE

The Exchanges play the El Mocambo (464 Spadina Av) July 23.

EYE MAGAZINE 07/21/2005http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_07.21.05/music/ondisc.html - Eye Magazine (Toronto)

Duo Finds Solace in Simplicity and Smash Rock - Tom MacKenzie

The Exchanges are maybe the most straight up rock duo in a musical realm where duality seems more accepted than ever before. In Hamiltonian terms: a great reason to go to work hung over on Tuesday. The self proclaimed "Smash Rock Darlings" hail from Toronto, but don't hold that against them. They have gotten their hands dirty, alright. These two have been to hell and back, musically anyway. Their music has undergone a significant recreation to truly discover their bona fide love; To rock. Moving from a whole band to maybe the most simplistic of rock music expression is a move that has proven to be a wise one for The Exchanges. These smash rockers have been gaining momentum for memorable live shows. If you can imagine a cross of Death From Above 1979 and The Black Keys you might have a good idea of where to begin sonically. The Exchanges don't play around with "synth" or any of that however. This is a straight up duo rock at it's finest. No effects to fool you into thinking they might have a bass player behind the partition or something. Just guitar, just drums, and just great stripped down rock.http://www.steelcitymusic.ca/articles/2005/previews/feb24.php - Steel City Music (Hamilton)

the exchanges, 1 am
Take two skinny, hairy young guys with way too much energy. Keep them in a cage all day and feed them lotsa sugar and amphetamines. Then let them out for 40 minutes, late at night, to release the pent-up onstage. Strap a way-too-distorted electric guitar on one, and put a way-too-distorted mic in front of him, too; then place a drum kit in front of the other. This is everything a garage-rock duo is supposed to be. A perfect closer for the night.

NXNE 2004 Review - Howard Druckman - Umbrella Music