Gregory Pepper and His Problems

Clad in Canadian tuxedos, Gregory Pepper and his Problems took to the Ebar stage determined to destroy all in their path. Dipping through their catalogue, they played a menacing version of "If You Try" followed by a mellower but no less intense "Built a Boat." Though Pepper's LPs are often layered, somewhat damaged Brian Wilson-meets-Rivers Cuomo pop affairs, he attacks live shows, allowing his nimble voice to draw power from something demonic in his guts. It's not Satanic exactly but he and his band do seem possessed, especially when they tenderly suggest that you were "Born to Die."