Cuff the Duke still has the grit (photos, video)

Things sometimes have a funny way of working themselves out, don't they.

Take, for example, Tuesday night at Loplops Gallery-Lounge as bar staff prepared for that evening's Cuff the Duke performance.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the band originally scheduled to open the night's entertainment was forced to cancel.

Just as bar owner Steve Alexander accepted the fact that there would be opening act, like a gift from the powers that be, in walked the members of Kent McAlister and the Iron Choir.

The band was passing through town on the way to another gig when the boys popped by Loplops to drop off posters for their upcoming November 23 performance at the venue.

The obvious question was posed and just like that, the evening's entertainment roster was once again complete.

Although I missed their performance, the flood of praise Kent McAlister and the Iron Choir received following its performance attests to the Vancouver-based country band's mass appeal.

It was an unexpected bonus for the crowd of approximately 80 people who came out for the main attraction - Cuff the Duke.

To view video highlights from Cuff the Duke's performance shot by SooToday.com's Tyler Simpson, please click here and here.

From Oshawa, ON, the country rock four-piece are currently touring to promote their third release, Sidelines of the City.

In a time when every second band might fall under the ever-expanding "alt country" label, Cuff the Duke's continued ingenuity and experimentation may soon push them out from under that umbrella into completely fresh and uncharted territory.

Pop melodies reminiscent of the Birds or the Beatles are layered among sonic textures and rock guitars to achieve an almost Phil Spector-esque wall of sound.

The grit and country roots influence is definitely still there.

You may just have to listen a little more closely on some tracks than others in order to find it.

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