Eagles Of Death Metal Cover Rolling Stones at Secret Shows in Toronto

It was all done rather hush-hush: no media alerted, no posters on the streets, but by midnight on Friday, Toronto's 125-capacity Cherry Cola's Rock N Rolla Cabaret Lounge was packed and onstage, Jesse 'Boots Electric' Hughes and Dave Catching of Eagles of Death Metal were kicking out the jams.

The duo was in Toronto for the opening of the city's newest nightspot as a return favour to its proprietor and Hughes' childhood friend Cherish Stevenson, who inspired the group's 2006 song, 'Cherry Cola.'

Opening with the club's title song (natch) the duo ran through a shambolic set of covers (Rolling Stones' 'Brown Sugar' with openers Flash Lightning's Darren Glover, Ramones' 'Beat on the Brat') as well as a selection of their own material all backed with surprising efficiency by beats provided from Hughes' iPod.

Eagles of Death Metal @ Cherry Cola's from Graham Runciman on Vimeo.

Performing with his usual swanky panache, Hughes charmed his way through the set. Flirting with the cabaret go-go dancers and regaling the crowd -- which included members of Toronto rockers Billy Talent and Die Mannequin -- with tales of his border troubles.

"I was detained at our border by the American guards, and the Canadians came to my rescue. I swear to god," Hughes pontificated in faux-southern preacher style. "You see, I have a checkered past but the Canadian government came to my aid, can you dig it?!"

"I feel as through the power and fury of rock and roll were protecting me, can I get an 'Amen?!' he added before closing the set with a spirited version of 'Speaking in Tongues.'

The band returned to the stage at Cherry Cola's the following evening -- looking slightly better rested -- to perform an even more ruckus 1AM set that rewarded fans who came out to both nights by going deeper into the band's back catalogue, though the biggest cheer of the evening was reserved for the band's recent crossover hit, 'Wannabe In LA.'