Late Night With Thunderheist at Studio B

NEXT »

“I expect all y’all to lose your fuckin’ minds! Break somebody, kill somethin’, break somethin’.” This was shouted pre-encore by Isis, the vocalist of Toronto-based hip-hop-electro-dance duo Thunderheist. The music pulsating throughout Studio B as she barked orders was easily recognizable, the synth scales clearly characteristic of their most popular number, “Jerk It.” The crowd went wild as she stomped around, marched in place and hopped up and down in her heels whilst swinging her arms wildly, windmill-like, towel in one hand, tambourine in the other. She swiftly removed the mic from its stand and sporadically gestured towards the audience, tacitly encouraging everyone to help her sing this song. The room responded and didn’t miss a beat. Neither did she. Nor did her other half, Grahm Zilla, or their drummer, an addition to the live venue version since I last saw them perform at Santos last January. (Apparently it was their second go with a live drummer. Not bad. Not bad at all.)

The threesome didn’t take the stage Friday night until well into the wee hours, 2 a.m. to be exact (so, Saturday), and they commanded the room for about an hour. Grahm expertly fiddled with buttons and dials as Isis stole the show, lead singer and hype woman combined. “I was nervous,” she confessed. She admitted to having been worried that no one would know who they were, that they’d be this random act without a fanbase to rev them up and bring the evening full circle. If indeed she expected this sad display, she and her team must have been happily surprised, as seemingly no one was unfamiliar with their set. Based on their energetic performance, it’s safe to say anyone who entered with no knowledge exited a schooled fool. Not to mention love-struck. As has happened in the past, many a man divulged his undying desire for our leading lady. It wasn’t the first time someone proposed and it most certainly won’t be the last time either. “Isis, will you marry me?” has become a commonplace question.

Beyond being adept at making booties bounce (and eliciting marital fantasies), this girl sure can sing. Were she not the rich, velvety voice of Thunderheist, no doubt this lyrical queen could cut her teeth pleasing ears some other way. Even though she’s evidently the main attraction, this doesn’t mean her backers go unnoticed. Even she exclaimed, “This is my bread and butter,” referring to Grahm and their guest drummer. Grahm once called himself her “silent partner,” which couldn’t be more accurate. What he “lacks” in verbal communication he more than makes up for in production, maneuvering the music and guiding Isis’ delivery. As for their latest incorporation, he too brought the heat. He beat the hell out of his drumset, playing his heart out by banging his sticks with precision -– and confidence. At the very end he even shed his seeming shyness and confiscated the tambo from Isis, dancing about the stage as he hit it with his drum stick. He, like all of us, worked up a sweat too, losing layers song after song. Eventually he was down to his signature Thunderheist tank.

Grahm seemed to be the only guy capable of keeping cool during this red-hot hoedown. Even in her little black getup (which looked to me like someone poured her into it and forgot to say “when”) Isis perspired, her skin glistening under the myriad colored lights dancing off her shoulders and back. She also wore a single glove, very Michael Jackson meets Southern Belle with its ruffled wrist detail. And you should have seen the gams on this gal. Whew! Black sheer tights left some mystery, but not much could obscure these sexy stems. Must be all that high heel hopping, no? Gotta get into that routine. I have the equipment anyway.

The threesome ended the evening with “The Party After,” a track that includes the lyrics, “where the after party at, bitch?!” Interesting choice of closing song, and telling too. By now it was nearly 3 a.m. and, being my second show of the evening (see Phoenix), this was nothing if not an after party. The after party. Albeit a different strain than that held at Darkroom for said French band (we skipped it for this, if that says anything about T-heist). Thunderheist exited the stage and shared a group hug (so very cute – and Canadian) while the sardine-packed room scattered in order to embark on the last leg of the evening: an all out dance party that lasted long past sunrise. Ah, yes, yet another fun night spent with talented neighbors from the north. How ’boot that?

Photos by Pearse Daly