Nostalgia & new beginnings. BTW yours truly recommended the last band to ever play the Sunday series, Half Baked.

A last minute move to the stark basement-space of The Hard Luck may have been awkward for guitarist Eric Euler and bassist Scott Tessier, but fortunately, incredible musical technique will push through any circumstance. Channeling some of their prog-metal spirit as an acoustic duo, Euler’s breathtaking virtuosity combined with Tessier’s bass flourishes came together as brilliant instrumental interplay, clearly showing the melody and beauty that lies underneath the thunder and lightning.

Traversing the terrain of Dan Burke’s garage rockstravaganzas to The Optical Sounds label, The Davey Parker Radio Sound travels up that same sonic path. Ripping guitars, high-energy, and an armful of attitude, the quartets take on 13th Floor Elevators-slash-The Sonics combined with elements of The Brian Jonestown Massacre proves that scrappy psych-tinged garage-rock continues to be just as relevant as it was 45 years ago.

Handpicked by Gentlemen Reg for his month-long residency, Hooded Fang continue to be purveyors of feel-good sun-dazed pop that Brian Wilson would likely approve of. This seven-piece delivered super-catchy songs galloping through a basic core of effervescent twee-styled power-pop weaving through slices of horns, keyboards, and glockenspie. Coaxing the crowd into clapping along, I can’t think of too many bands who are clearly having a good time onstage and still sound so brilliant.

Normally a four-piece (recruiting two members for the show) Afterparty create a sound that’s heavier than pop and prettier than rock, delivering an infectious breed of swaggering riffs and pumped-up rhythms, straddling the line between thick indie-rock and driving post-punk. Fronted by a sassy rock-diva Kristina, belting-out vocals and a fountain of energy onstage, the stock of these retro-pop-punk talents continues to rise.

This band creates a sound and style indebted to a blending of an alt-country spirit with roots-rock soul. Practically all the southern genres are combined with a beguiling mix of masterful guitar-playing (thanks to the fluid chops of Jimmy Rose) soulful croons, and slow-burning acoustic melodies. A triumph of simplicity overseen by a quiet, yearning fire.

With the weekly showcase calling it a day, nothing screams Wavelength’s uber-indie ethos like the Two Koreas. With frontman-slash-author Stuart Berman reprising his role as a Toronto-centric Mark E Smith, this five-piece blasted through a set of drum-pounding drone-rock that blends post-punk with Krautrock leanings into a fuzz-driven workout that’s anarchically noisy and hypnotic at the same time. In a post Sunday-series era, look to this band as a testament to the nights edgy under-the-radar cred.

In contrast to more spacious venues, The Edge 102.1 studios serves as a lower-key counterpart, with the Alan Cross stamp of approval of course. Anchored by John O’Regans vocal posturing, this four-piece delivered a rocking sound that transcends fun and danceable combining post-punk grooves with sprawling rhythmic grandeur, basking in the neon pop glow of the 80’s. An explosion of power-riffs and key-fueled shimmer, this is a band that embraces the familiar delivering infectious energy at every turn.

In an intent to enter the world of promising folk songwriters, Allison Long proves that the adventure doesn’t end with church choirs and theatrical productions. Accompanied by an acoustic guitarist, this Humber student delivered sweet velvety vocals equal parts sun-soaked gems to ballads of reflection wrapped around her vibrant pixie-like charm. A satisfying and confident debut.

With a show billed as “The Night The Kathedral Dies” one level below, it’s fitting that this ex-vocalist of Iron Maiden entered the stage to funeral bell tolls. Still enjoying being under the stage lights and punk-as-fuck, Paul Di’Anno aptly demonstrated his rasp piercing vocals backed by twin-lead-guitars and metal-beast energy, which of course, the diehards sticking around to hear the obligatory Maiden songs. With beefy leather-clad 40-something’s still grasping at their youth, the Original Beast continues to run free to help them revisit it.