TJ Hollywood

By: Andrea Holz October 29, 2013

Sound 5/5

Love the classic 80s dance punk sound. They did a fantastic cover of Corey hart’s “Sunglasses at Night.” They were loud, wild and an absolute delight. The mini guitar made a huge sound filling the entire space. And TJ Hollywood (vocals) gave a thorough and exciting sound pairing perfectly with the beat.

Performance 5/5

Great energy, only two of them but they really used the whole space. “Olde Fashioned Dance off” is a super fun song that makes you want to dance. In fact the guitarist, Luke Vegas, hopped into the audience adding excitement. They both were great showmen.

Professionalism 5/5

They took charge of the room using all resources, they looked well prepared and were clearly ready to handle any kind of audience. The time they went on was late, and the audience had shrunk as hours passed through the night, but I feel like they really gave a show to those who were still around. A seasoned band knows how to deliver to any sized audience and these guys really proved that.

Aesthetic 5/5

They wore bright colored suits adding to the electronic element and kept the consistency that added a theatric element, with genre aesthetics making a huge difference. I feel they were more than competent on all fronts.

Authenticity 5/5

These guys are energetic and really love what they do. You can see it in the energy regardless of the audience size. “Motherfuckin' Party” was my favorite tune. This dynamic duo have a really have all the elements of a successful dance punk band. Their sound is a lot of fun to listen to especially if you’re a fan of 80’s music. The sound this duo delivers reminds me of the Psychedelic Furs meets The Human League.

Total: 25/25

Final Grade: 100%

Andrea Holz is a Toronto-based award winning writer, actress, comedian and coffee master.

Don't forget to follow Toronto Music Scene on Twitter @TorontoMusic. - Toronto Music Scene

Sound 4.5/5

If you threw David Byrne and James Murphy into a blender with Girl Talk, you’d have TJ Hollywood. With the zealot-like fervor of a Southern Baptist Tent Revival, the two-man act pummels through their half-hour set with the marching intensity of a battering ram. Mesmerizing lead singer TJ Hollywood delivers with swagger and hyperbolic gesticulation, his voice even more malleable and approachable than Byrne’s. Guitarist Luke Vegas’ work is precise, cheekily interspersing recognizable songs in a mash up of diverse influences.

Performance 4.5/5

The band leapt into the audience at one point, working the small dance floor into a miniature frenzy. They were pretty hard to ignore. Their energy levels were consistent throughout, rivaling the sweat levels of a bootcamp workout.

Professionalism 5/5

They interact like they’ve been playing together for decades. The audience is obviously comprised of a number of loyal fans, mouthing along with the words and dancing their asses off.

Aesthetic 4.8/5

Dirty glam-rock-meets-50’s film star.

Authenticity 4.8/5

They were convincing throughout, and you really got the sense that they were having a wicked time up there. They seamlessly melded together manual/electronic elements to produce a familiar sound that sounds refreshingly new.

Total 23.6/25 - Toronto Music Scene

There’s not much to say that can explain TJ Hollywood, so it’s easier to just assume they’re nuts. In an awesome way. Their live show is fun as hell, energetic, and ridiculously funky. - Front of House Photography