Put the Rifle Down

Montreal’s Summer Lovers Unlimited is quickly becoming Canada’s leading scout for new talent both within the country and internationally. In 2007 alone, the label has released one of my singles of the year, "Homecoming” by the Teenagers, as well as the New Waves EP by the Tough Alliance (expect their latest album New Chance very soon), and hot tracks by mash-up meister My!Gay!Husband, the inimitable Dandi Wind, and enigmatic electro rebels like Sluttt and Crystal Castles (now with Last Gang Records). It’s some very impressive work in one year, and will only get better with Toronto’s Put the Rifle Down. Formed in 2004, PTRD first made a name for themselves by turning in a blinding ’80s throwback remix of the Teenagers’ "Homecoming.” But the four-piece (DJ, percussionist, synths and vocals) have begun to blaze a neon trail with their Hi-NRG live shows, proving just like Shout Out Out Out Out have that you can be both charismatic and an electronic act. Recent gigs have seen them throw down memorable moments at NXNE and Pride, with recent opening slots for hot acts like Tokyo Police Club, New Young Pony Club and We Are Wolves. This exclusive demo (expected on their forthcoming debut album) isn’t shy about its ’80s hang-up: vocalist Mike Countryman’s neo-romantic sensitivity drapes the song like a warm blanket, glowing synths reverberate and simmer, and springing computerised percussion and live drumming melt together for a rhythm that’s ready to break hearts and prompt the kind of dripping sweat on a dance floor that looks sexy in hip-hop videos (y'know, the ones where half-naked bodies move in slow motion). Definitely an act to watch out for in 2008.