Secret Rolling Stones Tribute Band Attracts Ron Sexsmith, Barenaked Lady

Ever wonder what singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith and Barenaked Ladies member Kevin Hearn do in their down-time? Look no further than Toronto's Dakota Tavern on Wednesday nights, where the Canadian music stars moonlight as a Rolling Stones tribute band with Hogtown rock staples the Beauties and Flash Lightnin'.

According to Shawn Creamer, co-owner of the Dakota and singer-guitarist for its house band, the Beauties, the Mick Jagger mimicry (which began several months ago) still seems to be a heavily-guarded secret amongst the bar's tight-knit clientele. "It's just the neighbourhood that shows up," he tells Spinner.

"It started out just with the Beauties and Flash and has grown," Creamer continues. "Ron Sexsmith came to see us play two weeks in a row and was pissed that we didn't ask him to play with us."

"He's in the band now," he laughs.

Drawing from at least five different Stones albums, including material from the classic 1981 disc 'Tattoo You' (the "cooler stuff" in Creamer's eyes), the cover project seems a pretty serious affair. "We've got backup singers and a horn section has even come in on some nights," he says. "We even practiced before the first show."

Turns out the rehearsal proved unnecessary. "We realized we were all good at doing our homework," Creamer explains, "So now when we add a song, everyone just learns the same version and then we get together at the Dakota and rock it out."

So what happens when someone is out on the road with his or her "real" band and can't make it down to the night recently rebranded as 'Hot Rock' (the tribute night previously took place on Tuesdays and was aptly titled 'Ruby Tuesdays')?

The lineup ebbs and flows depending on who's around, says Creamer: "Right now Kevin is off in Barenaked Lady-land so actually filling in for him [on piano] is Michael Johnston from the Skydiggers. It's a fun thing to do for whoever is in town so we can all hang out."