The stage bulged at the Horseshoe. Smash a guitar and pawn the keyboard, then flip a coin to decide if you’ll keep the sax or an extra guitar. A lot of people had fun during Young Guv, and a disproportionate number were holding instruments. The song-writing exists, but the polished pop rock is inefficient, bleaching away any power pop jags in the bloated ensemble. The saxophone added a droning persistence but the keyboard and three guitars only underscored that Young Guv is as inclusive as Toronto is eager to embrace an unspectacular live set from an artist known for solo singles.

Where I stood, The Men were physically painful to listen to. A Confusion is Sex shirt held the bass against an amp until The Men burst into a set of noise screaming in every direction away from hardcore. There might be parameters to their sound but they’re broad enough to sound hardcore playing a catchy song with vibrato arm-manipulated feedback, then dive into a proto-Birthday Party cover. My ears buzzed all Saturday, but I’ll endure it again in a heartbeat.

Release a couple widely-deemed-acceptable records every year for half a decade and see where you are. Thee Oh Sees find themselves in desperate need of an editor. The guy-girl vocals and delayed whoops don’t sound bad, but they aren’t fresh either. Classic garage riffs and Ramones progressions fucked up and affected are pleasant, but when they sprawl outwards six minutes each and the dance floor is balding in front of you maybe playing fast isn’t enough to be exciting. Adjustments begin with expelling the second drummer.

Thee Oh Sees, The Men, and Young Guv at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, October 21, 2011.