Horsey Craze Rock Out With 'Like a Hurricane' and More at Juno Fest

Neil Young will be honored at Sunday's (March 27) Juno Awards in Toronto with the 2011 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award and will be paid tribute by Dallas Green of City and Colour/Alexisonfire, among other artists. But he and his band Crazy Horse were given a salute early Saturday morning by Horsey Craze, a somewhat mysterious cover band.

Taking to Toronto's Silver Dollar stage after midnight as Horsey Craze was Will Kidman on guitar and Dallas Wehrle on bass, formerly of the Constantines, Justin Small of Do Make Say Think and Lullabye Arkestra on guitar with John Pinnington on drums.

"It feels good, that's why we're doing it," Kidman told Spinner of performing on a weekend that honours Young. "It seemed fitting."

The four-piece -- which reportedly debuted five or six years ago, but they rarely play gigs and frequently switches up members, and has only one record to their name, a 2006 limited edition split 12" -- opened with 'Hey Hey, My My,' then rolled into 'Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown,' 'Cocaine Eyes' and 'Powder Finger.' Then came 'Mansion on the Hill,' 'World On a String,' 'F'n Up' and 'Farmer John.' Kidman and Small traded lead vocals, while doing what Horsey Craze does best: playing the hits and having fun.

As soon as 'Like a Hurricane' started, concert-goers raised their drinks or fists in the air. This song was one of the set's highlights with its longer, more drawn out instrumentation. It was followed by 'Opera Star,' 'Shots' and audience members playing air guitar.

'Rockin' in the Free World' was the clear favourite of the night, when the band let loose and even the venue's promoter Dan Burke, who had been dancing by the sound board, was invited to bring his moves to the stage. It was a fun moment, not like one Burke's been remembered for: lunging into the audience of a Jay Reatard show as the late rocker packed up after he was hit in the head with a pitcher, all immortalized on YouTube. 'Cinnamon Girl' was the encore.

As for fans wondering if this is any tie back into the Constantine's world -- who went on indefinite hiatus last summer -- Kidman, who had left the band prior to that, responded with, "Yes, it's done," when asked if the hiatus was still in effect. He's currently involved in his Woolly Leaves solo work and playing with Julie Doiron, including a Saturday night (March 26) JunoFest performance at the Garrison.


MORE JUNO COVERAGE ON SPINNER
Our JUNO Wrap Up | Arcade Fire Sweep the Junos | Neil Young Adds Artist of the Year to His Juno Humanitarian Honour | Electronic Music Finally Grooves It's Way to Junos | All Things JUNO