© Jeff Parsons

Who: Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
When: May 3 2010

Taylor Hawkins is a methodical beast behind the kit.

Often overshadowed while under the Foo Fighters label, the charismatic drummer drew in wanderers from various urban dives and to say he impressed would be an understatement. Though the style of The Coattail Riders is virtually unknown, it shrieked throughout The Horseshoe Tavern, fondling ears and enlarging eyes.

Every snare tap and bass kick from Hawkins was precise, almost to the point where it appears natural. Aided by audacious 70s’ guitar licks and pulsating bass lines, the tunes on display had the ferocity of The Foo Fighters and a bit of harmonic boldness found in vintage record collections. With Hawkins howling under the dim lighting, it’s staggering no one fainted from utter satisfaction.

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