A song about Ted Nolan (13 photos)

Like a runaway train, the three lads that make up Elliott Brood tore into Loplops Gallery-Lounge Sunday night and left the tireless audience sweaty and begging for more.

Maybe it's Mark Sasso's unmistakable rasp that draws people to the Brood.

It could be the dark undertones and tales of woe strewn throughout the band's signature buoyant alt-country rhythms and melodies that make people want to clutch a bottle of bourbon and dance their fool heads off.

Perhaps it's the tambourines, cookie sheets and wooden spoons that Elliott Brood gives its audience to play with that works show-goers into a lather.

Whatever the reason, 100 devout fans ventured out to see the Toronto-based death-country band on a school night, a testament to the love affair Sault Ste. Marie began with the Brood way back in early 2006.

Sasso told SooToday.com that from the band's first performance here, they knew they'd always want to return, inspired by our venues, hospitality and friends they've made.

In fact, the song Garden River from the 2008 release Mountain Meadows was inspired in part by Ted Nolan's life.

"That song was written at the Downbeat Lounge," said Sasso. "It's about striving to achieve your goals and build towards something better."

Naturally, Garden River had priority on the evening's set list, as did many other quintessential Brood tunes including Oh Alberta, The Bridge, Only at Home, Fingers and Tongues, T-Bill, Write it All Down For You and Miss You Now.

Aside from playing a near-sold-out show on an off night in Sault Ste. Marie, Elliott Brood has had a few other exciting opportunities roll its way.

The band recorded the soundtrack for the upcoming Canadian film Grown Up Movie Star, written and directed by Gemini Award-nominated actress, Adriana Maggs.

And earlier this year, Mountain Meadows was selected for the Polaris Music Prize short list.

"We we were blown away when we made the Top 10 list," Sasso told us. "We had an inclination the album might make the top 40, but definitely not the Top 10. It was an honour, even more so than being nominated for a Juno. The Junos are more of a popularity contest than anything else. Polaris nominations are based strictly on artistic merit."

Congratulations, Elliott Brood, and cheers to the continued love affair with Sault Ste. Marie.