The Tea Party @ Metropolis

I first heard The Tea Party in 1993 when my high school friend Sheila bought me their album Spendor Solis. It was open when she handed it to me; "I already listened to it and didn't like it very much," she told me. Having already heard "The River," I thought my fate would be different.

It was instant. I felt a connection to the album similar to when I first heard my dad's Led Zeppelin vinyl records. It was dark, psychedelic, progressive rock with elements of world music that re-united me with my mom's Arabic heritage. The lyrics reminded me of those sung by Jim Morrison of The Doors, to which lead singer Jeff Martin is often compared.

Inside of the Spendor Solis album sleeve was a free ticket to see their show. I was 13 years old and could never get permission to see a rock band by myself, so I missed their show. The Tea Party have since then returned to Montreal, even with an orchestra, which, according to my friend Tanya, was their best show ever! I missed that too. Finally after 18 years, I had the opportunity to see The Tea Party live!

During the entirety of the show, Jeff Martin would tell us stories about the songs we all loved so much. One in particular was "Shadows on the Mountainside" from their 1995 album The Edges of Twilight. He starts by stating, "I met a girl in Calgary." It was during their first Canadian tour. She offered him tea. He thought "well tea, we are The Tea Party, I thought it was cute, she was cute..." So, on the way to Vancouver he had this tea then he realized what she had told him, "It is tea from a vegetable, tea from a special mushroom." Needless to say, after his "trip" to Vancouver, he wrote this song with starting lyrics "We are spirits passing through the doors of time."

Also during the entirety of the show, Jeff would switch instruments. From different electric guitars with single and double necks to a beautiful 12 string, his roadie would be ready. It was time for the 12-string electric guitar as they kicked into "Sun Going Down." At a break during the song Jeff tells us to "make our own church... a rock n roll church...you can do anything you want, I do" and continued with the lyrics "looked at the heavens above and I said a little prayer." Suddenly, he cut off the song with a loud "Can I get an AMEN". Once again, another instrument, this time a beautiful double neck guitar. One neck 6 strings the other 12.

It was not only Jeff Martin that would switch instruments. Stuart Chatwood, longtime Tea Party band member, bassist and keyboardist, also played the mandolin and portable harmonium. He was incredible. Not to forget the fantastic drumming and percussion played by original band member Jeff Burrows in the back. This rock trio has not lost their touch.

Although The Tea Party have a hard and dark side with rumours of drugs and black magic, they do have a soft side to them. They are activists of "White Ribbon Campaign" to end men's violence towards women and dedicated their next song "Release" to all of the beautiful Montreal women.

Rumors has it that they are working on a new album for January 2012! But for now, Jeff Martin tells us that, "the old ones will have to do." "Not a problem for me", I thought to myself, and the show continued.

-Sugarface Nene hosts Beat The World on Saturdays from 12-2pm